I haven't read the previous adventures of this gang, but it's easy enough to slip into the story.  I do wonder if I would have got more from the book if I already knew who all the characters were?  This is an easy to read cosy crime story, where the pensioners are carrying out crimes for the good of the community.  There were some parts I really liked - when they're stopping heavy goods traffic, and some of the horse-related parts for example.  But other aspects fell a little short.  I wasn't sure how I felt about Martha, the ringleader - she's so very bossy, and she doesn't seem to treat her fiance, or her friends, terribly well in this particular story.  Some of their activities felt rather outlandish, though perhaps they're meant to?  The book ran a little too long, and the ending felt slightly odd and not quite resolved..

I wonder what the original version is like - the translation felt somewhat stilted to me, but perhaps just reflected the style of the original story.  It doesn't have the finesse of Osmond, but the idea behind it is very fun and it's an accessible, light read so I'm sure many will really enjoy it.