The Thursday Murder Club

Book Review: The Impossible Fortune (The Thursday Murder Club Book 5) by Richard Osman

Posted on by Libby Price

I have declared before that I love Richard Osman – and the fan girling has only got worse. A family member has changed jobs and now works with Mr Osman and I am beyond jealous. I think even the aforementioned family member was quite concerned that Richard could be my specialist subject on Mastermind! Obviously when the next book in the Thursday Murder Club series was to be released, it was a no brainer that I’d need to read it immediately – I’d said as such when reviewing book 4! Here’s the blurb:

“Who’s got time to think about murder when there’s a wedding to plan?
It’s been a quiet year for the Thursday Murder Club. Joyce is busy with table plans and first dances. Elizabeth is grieving. Ron is dealing with family troubles, and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favourite criminal.
But when Elizabeth meets a wedding guest who fears for their life, the thrill of the chase is ignited once again. A villain wants access to an uncrackable code and will stop at nothing to get it. Plunged back into their most explosive investigation yet, can the gang solve the puzzle and a murder in time?”

It was lovely to be back with the gang! As always the story is told by different points of view – with Joyce’s chapters remaining my favourites. And different members of the supporting cast had bigger and smaller parts this time around. For example, Joyce’s daughter Joanna (who is played by Richard’s wife Ingrid Oliver in the film adaption of the first book, which came out on Netflix in August!) had a more central role – whereas their police friends had more minor roles (Chris was far too busy learning how to handle his weapons!) – but everyone was still in and around the storyline.

This time there were codes and puzzles to crack – as well as murder(s) to solve – and each of the gang brought their own skills to the team.

As ever it is funny, clever, heart warming – and all of the things you’d expect from a Richard Osman book.

My absolute favourite ‘Easter Egg’ was when Ron is discussing his favourite James Bond – who he says is Pierce Brosnan. Now, as Mr Brosnan plays Ron in the film – it will be interesting to see how that is dealt with in film 5 (as surely there will be films of each books, there just has to be – even if the first one had some deviations from the original plot).

Another master piece from Richard Osman, which I am sure will take over the best seller lists yet again (even if it is released on the same day as the new Dan Brown (not on my TBR list) and Elizabeth Day books!)

Book Review: We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

Posted on by Libby Price

I’m not sure if there is a collective noun for Richard Osman appreciators – like ‘Swifties’ for Taylor’s fans – but if so, I would definitely be in that gang. We would all do the equivalent of swapping friendship bracelets and sporting glitter on our faces – I’m not entirely sure on what these ‘equivalents’ would be – but I suspect a nice cup of tea would be involved. I’ve loved Richard’s Thursday Murder Club series, and so was prepared to part with cash (which I don’t often do!) to read the first instalment of his new series ‘We Solve Murders’. Having been educated about the world of publishing by the brilliant podcast that Richard presents with the marvellous Marina Hyde, ‘The Rest Is Entertainment’ I did pre order the book, as obviously Mr Osman needs all of the advanced sales he can get!! (If there was an ‘ironic’ font, I would have used that for the preceding sentence given the very large number of books he has shifted in the past. In fact Richard and his wife Ingrid know a German font designer, so perhaps they could get him to create one. I appreciate I am now verging into slightly deranged, potential stalker territory………)

Anyway – back to the book – here is the blurb for anyone who doesn’t just buy a book because Richard Osman wrote it:

“Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life. He does the odd bit of investigation work, but he prefers his familiar habits and routines: the pub quiz, his favourite bench, his cat waiting for him when he comes home. His days of adventure are over: adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy’s business now.
Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. As a private security officer, she doesn’t stay still long enough for habits or routines. She’s currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D’Antonio alive. Which was meant to be an easy job . . .
Then a dead body, a bag of money and a killer with their sights on Amy have her sending an SOS to the only person she trusts. A breakneck race around the world begins, but can Amy and Steve stay one step ahead of a deadly enemy?”

Whilst this is a new team of crime fighters – the Osman style of writing runs strong through Amy, Steve and the extended cast. Greggs and a Boots Meal Deal are mentioned early on – so what’s not to love?

I won’t ruin any storylines – but the different settings are great – I particularly loved St Lucia (I’m biased because we got married there, and I’ve also been travel sick on those horrific roads, and the bar at the airport is RUBBISH – we spent a 5 hour delay in the BA lounge and there is not much to keep you entertained – but it’s still a wonderful holiday destination – although perhaps a little risky in this book!)

The supporting cast are great – such an eclectic mix – and there’s definitely scope for fleshing some of those out in future books (I felt Adam – Amy’s husband / Steve’s son was a much less used character than I’d expected)

Whilst there are gruesome elements – it’s all done in a very ‘cosy crime’ way – and the humour throughout is as fabulous as I expected (so much funnier than The Bear – another podcast reference – sorry!)

My only quibble with the whole book is that Richard and Ingrid’s lovely new kitten Lottie doesn’t get a mention – whereas Liesl the cat is discussed both in the ‘about the author’ and the acknowledgment sections! I suspect this is purely a matter of timing, and that Lottie will have a starring role in Richard’s next book. #justiceforLottie

As I had hoped – this is a wonderful new book, and I look forward to seeing what Amy, Steve – and Rosie – get up to in the future (with or without visiting Coopers Chase – crossover incoming?)

I have to confess (we’re off on a TRIE tangent again!) that I bought it from ‘friend of the podcast’ Lauren’s boyfriend’s website so I could have it on my electronic reading device – but I do plan to source a copy from an independent bookshop for my mother’s Christmas present!

Book Review: The Bullet That Missed (The Thursday Murder Club 3) by Richard Osman

Posted on by Libby Price

“It is an ordinary Thursday and things should finally be returning to normal.
Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club are concerned. A decade-old cold case leads them to a local news legend and a murder with no body and no answers.
Then a new foe pays Elizabeth a visit. Her mission? Kill. . . or be killed.
As the cold case turns white hot, Elizabeth wrestles with her conscience (and a gun), while Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim chase down clues with help from old friends and new. But can the gang solve the mystery and save Elizabeth before the murderer strikes again?”

Having loved the previous two Thursday Murder Club books I was a bit sad that the third instalment didn’t hit NetGalley – so when I had a book token to spend, it was a no brainer. I bought it planning to give it to my Mum for Christmas (but then decided to read it myself first!!)

It was so good to be back with the gang again. Whilst the book would stand alone – I really think you need all of the back stories to fully appreciate it – and I’ve found each book is better than the previous because of the familiarity with the 4 founding members of the Thursday Murder Club but the supporting cast of characters as well. The relationships between these supporting members are also an integral part of this book – and it feels like the cast is growing and intertwining as if you were in a serial drama (posh term for soap opera!)

There are huge twists and turns, you have to suspend your disbelief sometimes – but I enjoy that. I can totally ‘hear’ Richard Osman in the writing – but I enjoy that too!

I don’t need to give this a glowing review to get Mr Osman more sales – as his books are ridiculously popular and often fill up multiple spots on the Sunday Times bestseller lists – but I am definitely a fan, and I’m already looking forward to book 4! And yes – I have passed this one on to my Mum as an early Christmas present.

Book Review: The Man Who Died Twice (The Thursday Murder Club Book 2) by Richard Osman

Posted on by Libby Price

I, like literally millions of others, loved the first ‘The Thursday Murder Club‘ book by Richard Osman – so when the publisher asked if I’d like an advance review copy of the second book in the series through NetGalley I danced a jig around my office! I downloaded it immediately and it took precedence over the ever increasing TBR pile. I devoured it in days.

Here’s the blurb:

“It’s the following Thursday.
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He’s made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life. As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn’t that be a bonus?
But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn’t bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?”

It was so brilliant to be reunited with the Thursday Murder Club Gang! It felt like meeting up with old friends again. I guess the book would stand up on its own – and you don’t HAVE to have read the first book – but let’s face it, you probably have anyway! And it would make much more sense with all of the back story in place too.

You are not only reunited with the main 4 characters of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron who live in the Coopers Chase retirement village and are members of the Thursday Murder Club – but also the supporting cast of Chris and Donna from the local police (and Donna’s Mum who is now seeing Chris!) and the septuagenarian’s ‘fixer’ Bogdan.

Whilst the missing diamonds and the relationship to Elizabeth’s past is the main storyline – it is interweaved with other stories too – the local mafia, local drug dealer, violent street crime, Chris and Donna’s love lives and classic entries in Joyce’s diary (her foray onto Instagram is amazing – and I do feel she is channelling my late Nan!!)

It romps through – again with Richard Osman’s voice loud throughout the writing – but I have to say I loved it.

I liked the fact you already knew the characters, and it felt like you were moving forward with the story and their relationships. Again – this would make an excellent film / TV series (and given the rights for the first book were snapped up by Mr Spielberg – I suspect this book will be too!) There was no ‘difficult second album’ about this sequel at all – it was as good, if not better, than the first in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC – I’m looking forward to book three already!

Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Posted on by Libby Price

The Thursday Murder Club

First things first, I need to confess that I LOVE Richard Osman.  I suspect he’s appeared on a Heat Weird Crush list at some point (Google confirms, winner in 2011) – but is clearly far more valid an entrant than Piers Morgan.  Richard is funny, quick witted, clever and an all round perfect crush.  OK, so Xander Armstrong might have the royal lineage and recording contract for easy listening stuff your Mum would listen to – but Richard is the star of Pointless for me.  (Although I am still a bit disappointed that my Mum and I never got past the application form stage – although perhaps there is a special pile designated for ‘potential stalkers of Richard therefore do not progress’)

Anyway – enough of my fan girling – but it’s safe to say I had high hopes for this book when I was approved for an advance review copy on NetGalley.

Here’s the blurb (in case ‘written by Richard Osman’ isn’t enough of a temptation for everyone):

“THE FIRST BOOK IN THE GRIPPING THURSDAY MURDER CLUB SERIES BY TV PRESENTER RICHARD OSMAN
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.
But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case.
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it’s too late?”

 

I ADORED this book.  As crime dramas go it’s more ‘Grantchester’ than ‘Line of Duty’ – but that was just perfect.

The central character OAPs are a diverse bunch who each bring skills from their younger lives to the team –  Elizabeth has some mysterious espionage background, Joyce was a nurse, Ibrahim a psychiatrist, and Ron a union firebrand.  Their relationship with Chris and Donna – the police in charge of the investigation – is hilarious, Elizabeth is the Queen of manipulation – and everyone ends up doing what she wants.

There are red herrings aplenty – and coincidences galore – but that all makes for a twisty turny read that I couldn’t put down.

I started highlighting sentences that I loved – but realised I’d end up having most of the book highlighted – so here are just a couple to give you a flavour:

“After a certain age, you can pretty much do whatever takes your fancy.  No one tells you off, except for your doctors and your children.”  This was very early on in the book and rang incredibly true, particularly following the recent lockdown – where I, and a number of friends, have had to deal with septuagenarian parents who think we are totally unreasonable for discounting ‘popping to get a paper’ as an essential journey and thus telling them off!

“I haven’t been to Ashford International, but I doubt a station would have ‘International’ in its name and not have an M&S.” This is just so British – and I could hear my late Nan saying something exactly like this! In the 1980s – so when there were far less mini M&Ss around – my Grandfather got my Nan to walk to the top of the Long Mynd in Shropshire by promising her there was an M&S at the top!

Whilst there are murders, there is also a lot of humour and laugh out loud moments.  There are also some really tender and emotional moments between the characters – and some big stuff is dealt with too – dementia, suicide, euthanasia, family relationships – but all done in a lovely way.

It’s funny, clever, quick witted – and you can almost hear Richard Osman saying some of the lines.  I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book where the personality of the writer is so personified in the way it’s written – but as a fan that doesn’t bother me (however if you don’t like Mr Osman, maybe don’t bother reading it!?)

The only slight bug bear is that the formatting is a bit weird – and mid paragraph you could jump scene from, say, the retirement village to the police station.  Initially I thought this might have been a clever ploy to keep the reader on their toes and potentially stave off dementia – but suspect that more likely it’s because it was a proof copy and this will be sorted before the book is actually released!

But aside from this – I thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous book – and I’m chuffed that it’s the start of a series.  I can not wait to see what the Thursday Murder Club get up to next.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy – I will be singing The Thursday Murder Club’s praises far and wide!