About this ebook
Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Golden Girls in this humorous contemporary standalone fantasy about a group of former Chosen Ones coming out of retirement to save the world one last time
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Thursday Murder Club and thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish." —The Wall Street Journal
Three former Chosen Ones have joined together to spend their retirement in peace and quiet, running Second Life Books and Gifts in Salem, Massachusetts: a calm, tourist-filled oasis where they never have to worry about stopping the apocalypse-of-the-week. Jenny, Temple and Annette have had their fill of heroics and saving the world, and they’re ready to lean into a life where the most exciting thing is a new book from a local author.
Until someone starts messing about with ancient creatures best left alone . . . and a young would-be hero shows up on their front porch, ready to slay anything that moves . . . and also, their bookstore’s basement might be growing a portal to the underworld. These ex-heroes thought they were done, but if they want to finish their retirement in peace, they’ll have to save the world one last time.
Why leave saving the world to the young? Fun, funny, and heartwarming, this is a story about chosen family, second chances, and the healing power of chocolate-chip muffins.
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Thursday Murder Club and thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish." —The Wall Street Journal
Three former Chosen Ones have joined together to spend their retirement in peace and quiet, running Second Life Books and Gifts in Salem, Massachusetts: a calm, tourist-filled oasis where they never have to worry about stopping the apocalypse-of-the-week. Jenny, Temple and Annette have had their fill of heroics and saving the world, and they’re ready to lean into a life where the most exciting thing is a new book from a local author.
Until someone starts messing about with ancient creatures best left alone . . . and a young would-be hero shows up on their front porch, ready to slay anything that moves . . . and also, their bookstore’s basement might be growing a portal to the underworld. These ex-heroes thought they were done, but if they want to finish their retirement in peace, they’ll have to save the world one last time.
Why leave saving the world to the young? Fun, funny, and heartwarming, this is a story about chosen family, second chances, and the healing power of chocolate-chip muffins.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Golden Girls in this humorous contemporary standalone fantasy about a group of former Chosen Ones coming out of retirement to save the world one last time
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Thursday Murder Club and thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish." —The Wall...
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1 review
Lorena Dinger
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November 14, 2025
I loved everything about this hilarious, fast-paced urban fantasy. I loved the idea of a trio of retired heroes fighting an eldritch horror, because there aren’t enough stories about older folks saving the world despite their aches & pains. The main characters are wonderfully quirky & easy to cheer for, but so are all the secondary characters, including the sentient house. I loved the found family aspect. This is the coziest story of cosmic horror I’ve ever read, but still suspenseful.
About the author
Jim C. Hines has published more than forty short stories as well as numerous fantasy and sci-fi novels, including the humorous Jig the Dragonslayer trilogy; the Princess series, which re-imagines traditional fairy-tale princesses as butt-kicking action heroines; and the Magic Ex Libris series, about a centuries-old secret society dedicated to the use and control of book magic. In 2012, he won the Hugo for Best Fan Writer.
Jim C. Hines has published more than forty short stories as well as numerous fantasy and sci-fi novels, including the humorous Jig the Dragonslayer trilogy; the Princess series, which re-imagines traditional fairy-tale princesses as butt-kicking action heroines; and the Magic Ex Libris series, ab...
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