The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

A group of pensioners in a retirement community meet every Thursday to discuss unsolved murder cases. This book follows their attempts to solve a case much nearer to home.

I really enjoyed this book - the characters and the storyline were very appealing. The four members of the Thursday Murder Club were like a geriatric version of the Famous Five (minus the dog)! The book was very funny, often poignant (particularly the nun story) and always engaging. I hope Richard Osman goes on to write more books about the Thursday Murder Club.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC of this book.

Of course, I knew I'd love this. It's Richard Osman, of course it was going to be amazing.
Osman does not disappoint, I'm now pre-ordering a signed hardback as I know I'll need to read it again!

A classic whodunit set in a retirement community with a mix of characters trying to solve an old murder - and new. I liked the mystery of Elizabeth's previous career, a very secret spy type by all accounts, a firebrand union leader, a nurse and accountant. Their backgrounds and experiences are used to help a reluctant police DCI and constable investigate these murders.
The tone of the book is lightened by a thread of humour and the twists and turns of the story kept me intrigued and genuinely surprised by the reveal at the end of the book. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy murder mysteries and even if you don't normally read them.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

What fun! Not as intricate as others I've read but still engaging and fun to read. Who doesn't love a good mystery, truly?

I was intrigued to read this as I do like Richard Osman. The book is based around four pensioners who live in a retirement village and hold “The Thursday Murder Club. I found the book quite slow and meandering and full of cliches such as the very unpopular property developer, the middle aged, overweight policeman and his young female counterpart, East European builders called Bogdan!

Overall it was a nice story told very sedately with enough twists and turns to keep me interested. You learnt an awful lot about each of the characters although there was never confirmation of what Elizabeth did as a career. It would make a brilliant one off, Sunday night drama

I really like Richard Osman as a quiz host/tv personality. I like his dry sense of humour and comes across as a fairly smart guy, so I went into this hoping it would be a good read.

The story is set in an old folks retirement village and an upmarket one at that. The Thursday Murder Club from the title are four of the residents from the village who meet up every Thursday to go over old police murder cases to see if they can find any faults or clues in the cases that may have been missed. We get introduced to each, two women and two men, all in the 70s to 80s age brackets along with a few other residents.
When a murder and then another takes place in and around the grounds The Thursday Murder Club find themselves investigating actual live murder cases in real time, that have happened on their door step. They share their findings as they go with the police(holding information back some times to their advantage) and the police officers they work with feed them tit bits of information from their side also.

I really enjoyed this one overall. It wasn’t without its issues but it had plenty of heart and enough strong characters to endear itself to you to more than compensate for its failings.

The Thursday Murder Club characters are great. Elizabeth, who is the leader really was my favourite. Funny and ever so proper in a quintessentially English way, the pages sparkled when she was in them.

The story is told from two perspectives. From a general narrators point of view and also from the other female in the group, Joyce’s point of view via diary entries that she keeps. It was a little jarring at times switching between both perspectives but Joyce’s diary entries gave great insight into the group and the residence that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise so I’d no problem with that.

The story is interesting overall and along the way, despite being a “cosy” type thriller, delves into some pretty dark subjects. Murder, suicide, assisted suicide, depression, regret, life long secrets, mortality, you name it and it’s in here.

A couple of negatives for me:

The collusion between the group and the two police officers seems totally unrealistic and you really had to suspend disbelief to go along with this story arc throughout the book.

The final few chapters of the book felt a little convoluted and trying too hard. Too many reveals. Too many life long(and very grim) secrets revealed(and used as red herrings on occasion which felt a little clunky). The storyline also seemed to be nearly tying itself in knots as it became more and more complicated the nearer it reached it’s conclusion. The latter part of the book did have a feel of “throw the kitchen sink at it”. The tone of the book suffers because of this and at times can’t decide what it wants to be.

But criticisms aside, I really enjoyed this book. There’s a lot to enjoy and a lot to take in. Endearing funny characters, plenty of grim moments also, life questions. There’s a lot in there. A good story overall, which always helps. What sticks out for me though are the characters and the wit and that shines through most of the book. The rest in a way is window dressing.

I’d recommend this without hesitation. It seems like there will be another in the series and I for one look forward to reading it in the future and spending more time with The Thursday Murder Club.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Books(UK) and Richard Osman for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first foray into crime fiction by the witty and talented Mr Osman. As you would expect, it is well-written and a very enjoyable if undemanding read. The premise is that a group of retired people spend Thursday afternoon in their residential village looking at cold cases and attempting to solve them. However, when a number of crimes occur close to home they work with the police, and off their own bat, to effect a satisfactory conclusion. Very entertaining.

Read through this book quickly, enjoyed it and loved the writing style. I liked how the main characters aren’t whom you think they would be and the main mysteries they solve. Look forward to a sequel if there is one.

Written with good humour and a plot that makes you think about whodunit, I would recommend this book.

With an unusual setting, once you start reading this book you’ll definitely want to keep reading to find out more.

I was delighted to receive an ARC of this from NetGalley after seeing some early reviews on GoodReads.
The story is based around the community setting of a retirement complex where lives the 4 members of the Thursday Murder Club, all elderly and all of whom we get to know -
Elizabeth and Joyce slightly more than the men, it has to be said.
The book covers not one, but three unsolved murders - well until the TMC find out about them!
Written with good humour and a plot that makes you think about whodunit, I would recommend and am now looking forward to book 2.

This was a (admittedly surprisingly) good book. I wasn't too sure what to expect, knowing the author from the tele. It did take me a while to get in to the book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it once I did!

really good read! I was a bit sceptical as to whether I would enjoy this but I did. The plot is good and kept me guessing and interested until the end.

Four people from the upmarket Coopers Chase retirement community - the suspiciously well-connected Elizabeth, former trade union leader “Red Ron” Ritchie, psychiatrist Ibrahim, and newest recruit and former nurse, Joyce - form the Thursday Murder Club, discussing unsolved cases from the past. But when a local and universally disliked property developer is murdered, the club finds murder coming a bit closer to home. With the assistance of likeable police officers Donna and Chris (it definitely seems to be the police assisting the club, rather than the other way round), they set out to untangle exactly what’s going on.

The story is well written and I liked the setting (a retirement village, NOT a care home as some reviewers state, though there is a care home there too) and the characters (Elizabeth gave me “Carolyn from Killing Eve” vibes!), though there are so many plot strands that it became a little hard to follow at times. I certainly didn’t guess the outcome.

The ending certainly suggests future adventures are on the cards for the Thursday Murder Club - I look forward to reading them...

As well as TV presenter and producer, Richard Osman can now add ‘an author of a cracking good mystery feather’ to his cap. His first foray into the world of crime fiction is delightful.

The Thursday Murder Club is set in a well-heeled retirement community where the residents are far from retiring. There’s a pool, a gym, a spa, and a ‘contemporary upscale’ restaurant, along with committees and clubs to cater for any activity your active septuagenarian could wish for. One such club is the Thursday Murder Club, a small group founded by a former police detective who meet once a week to talk through old case files.

The story starts when one member drops out and a relatively new resident is invited to be the 4th member of this very selective club. We are immediately drawn into the shenanigans of the quartet and then, of course, up pops a real time murder for the club members to involve themselves in. And boy, do they inveigle their way into the investigation beautifully. The mystery itself is complicated with a few twists and turns, and the reader is treated to more than a few red herrings.

I love the four members of the Club. The most manipulative but entertaining set of OAPs I’ve ever come across. And the two members of the local constabulary – often treated as fools in crime fiction for not trusting the worthy amateurs - who are drawn into the story are treated well and compliment each other, and the group, perfectly.

I started off thinking the narrators of the story were unnecessarily garrulous but I was soon charmed by it, and then realised that actually most of what looked like excessive chattiness was pretty pertinent to the plot.

A great debut and I confess that I’m hoping we will hear more of manipulative ways of the Thursday Murder Club in the future.

Sincere thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for providing me with this digital ARC.

I’ve now pre-ordered a copy for my mom which is probably the biggest compliment I could give the book.

Full disclosure - crime/detective novels aren't usually my genre, and I only picked up this one because I'm a big fan of the author, Richard Osman of Pointless fame.

Richard therefore had a pretty high hurdle to overcome to keep me turning the pages on this, but I think he just about managed it.

The novel is structured as a typical detective story, setting up a murder mystery and a cast of potential suspects and then gradually ruling them out to leave us with murderer. Its main USP is that it is set in an old people's home, and that the detectives investigating the mystery are a group of enthusiastic amateur octagenarians.

As the book unfolds, that USP turns out to be the novel's main strength. It's great to see the older generation in the driving seat for once, rather than airbrushed out, and the main characters are all sparky, well rounded individuals with a wicked sense of humour drawn from already being in the waiting room for the great beyond. The nursing home setting also provides some real moments of pathos, as characters inevitably have to come to terms with saying goodbye to friends and loved ones, and the fact that it might be their turn next.

I also loved some of the supporting cast, with a special mention for Chris, the overweight, divorced DCI struggling simtaneously to rein in his elderly buddies, and get his life back on track.

On the less positive side, the plot isn't quite as strong as it could be, and throughout I was much more interested in the human side of the story (would characters A and B get it on, would character C be reconciled with her daughter etc.), than in the big reveal at the end.

Overall, however, a gently engaging read with a great sense of humour, and something that I think fans of this genre will really enjoy.

When residents of a retirement village set up a weekly murder club in addition to the Pilates, Zumba and jigsaw clubs already on offer they anticipated looking into cold cases that the police either could not solve or were so old they had been forgotten about. What this exclusive club did not expect was that they would soon be trying to solve not one but two live cases...

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first picked this book up - being often of the opinion that celebrity authors should stick to the day job - however I was pleasantly surprised and soon totally gripped by this first offering by Richard Osman.. In addition to being a great read this book would make fantastic tv adaptation.

#TheThrusdayMurderClub #NetGalley
A good read.
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved killings.But when a local property developer shows up dead, 'The Thursday Murder Club' find themselves in the middle of their first live case.The four friends, 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?
Characters and narration were good of the story. I loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for giving me an advance copy.

PC Donna De Freitas has downgraded from the London Met to come to Fairhaven. She is bored with everyday Police work and wishes for a Juicy murder. Our four residents from the Cooper Chase Retirement Village will become her guardian angels. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron with a knack for manipulating events and using past skills to develop being one step ahead when murder strikes. Donna comes to realise this friendship is her stepping stone to greater things. The Thursday Murder club set up by Elizabeth and Penny (ex Policewoman) to investigate unsolved cases suddenly becomes real and close to home with the murders of the contractors of the new development at Coopers Chase. This story is mainly told from Joyce’s diary entry’s which have plenty of moments to make you smile “Also, it was a well known fact that there were no calories in home-made cakes”. It keeps you entertained in a Miss Marple type way. The solving of the murders is like a giant jigsaw it’s just a matter of filling in the spaces. Four great quirky characters who really sell this book which make you never want to leave. I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book. Easy, conversational writing style meant that I just flew through the book! Loved the storyline, loved the characters (particularly Joyce and Elizabeth and wonderfully rounded Chris and Donna) and the humorous lines that made me chuckle throughout. Loved it ......an easy 5 stars from me.

GUEST REVIEW!

Today is a special day on the blog as it features a guest review from my other half... I'm sure you'll agree he has done a splendid job and has created a rather splendid and thoughtful review.

Now I just need to read the book myself! 

5 Stars from him!

I feel I should ask you to bear with me. It is a while since a read a book - too long if I’m being honest and certainly a writing review is a first. However, I had been quietly looking forward to reading this since I learned in the early part of this year of its upcoming release. Reading the book was very much my choice, though this review is under slight persuasion from the better half and, if truth be told, somewhat of a surprise.

I’m not sure how you couldn’t be an admirer of Richard Osman, so it may be my bias leaks through, but the thought of a crime book formed from the insightful and intriguing intellect that happily puts him high on my list of people I’d have as a dinner guest, sparked some long forgotten desire last lit by the likes of Terry Pratchett. Hat optional.

If you are looking for a high-octane, rollicking, in-your-face, let-‘em-have-it, slap-you–about-a-bit thriller, then I’m afraid you may be in the wrong ball-park. You may not even be in a park at all come to that.

What you will find is a story which immediately, casually, deftly and pleasantly draws you in and does not let go until the final page. Not that you wish to leave – which is lucky as I’m not sure you’d have a choice having met Elizabeth. The characters to whom you are introduced are gently captivating and are intertwined with such ease that you are wholly submerged in their world. You misjudge them at your peril, but not that they are a threat – well not in the conventional sense. The dual approach to the story-telling is inspirational and Joyce’s observations are wonderfully constructed and timed.

With obvious knowledge and experience, the retirement village which provides the focal stage for the book, unveils a depth of detailed characters with a wealth of sharp wit and amusing dialogue. It sets a stage for turning many a stereotyping misnomer inside out with an abundance of enjoyable politeness. Very much in the way a patient Nan would perhaps inform you it was generally thought courteous to wear clothes in company. The police team is, as with the members of The Thursday Murder Club, a delightfully well-observed addition and certainly blended beautifully to the plot. The descriptions of other elements of the retirement village daily life are left scattered throughout and almost confirms you as a resident.

The story gives ample opportunity to understand those in the retirement village. The values that are held dear, that for some only a lifetime can teach. Acceptance, truth, integrity, loyalty, love and friendship are underpinning every chapter but with subtly that does not interfere with the flow of the plot. As with most things in life, realisation rarely announces itself to a fanfare, but quietly arrives by your side and takes your hand. Then you get it.

There doesn’t feel any area which wasn’t thoroughly thought through. As a story, it holds together wonderfully and saddens you as it concludes. I’m going to look for a brochure, I recommend you do the same.