What an interesting trajectory the reading of this book has provided; initial impressions were of a newish author trying too hard, albeit laced with some truly charming and effective writing - then a feeling that the book felt like John le Carré meets Mick Herron with a side helping of Alan Bennet. But persistence brought its own reward and the story slowly grabbed hold of me and kept me reading longer and longer until I reached the end, where loose ends were pleasingly spliced into a very tidy knot. No need here to summarise the plot - there’s plenty on the book details; what I can do is share my appreciation for excellent character development; a crazy plot that nevertheless sustains enough coherence to avoid stretching credulity beyond reasonable limits; and a pleasingly subtle, low level but thoroughly enjoyable humour that permeates the text. Strongly recommended.

That was a welcomed easy light hearted murder mystery, in a month when I needed some easy reality get away!

I loved meeting the team again, the different dynamics and their little routine or lack thereof!
Elizabeth is still true to herself, Joyce is definitely my spirit grandma with the knitting, baking and looking after people!
I must admit I get lost sometimes with the different suspects but absolutely loved finding Donna and her ways of being very realistic. I absolutely cringed with her for her mum and Chris.

It would be so nice to have this as an BBC adaptation. I really want to meet the 4 for real!

#netgalley #netgalleyuk #richardosman #themanwhodiedtwice #kindle #crime #murdermystery #comedy #septemberreads #bookstagram

He’s done it again! I absolutely loved The Thursday Murder Club and this second one doesn’t disappoint.
It’s such an easy going read that delivers on humour, character and story. Just enough crime thriller with characters that are so loveable in their own way. I can’t wait for the next one!

As with Richard Osman’s last book this made for a pleasant and enjoyable few hours. The reading style flows nicely and it is all too easy to immerse yourself in the story and forget the time! Not only fun and easily read but also a reassuring view of life in a retirement home for those of us old enough to empathise with the characters, it reminded me of a comedy on television ‘Waiting for God’ which was not as relatable when I saw it in the nineties as it would be now. An unfortunate incident which happened to one of the characters during this story was very well portrayed and showed great empathy for the vulnerability felt by older people. It took this story from being an enjoyable romp to something with a lot more depth and understanding, something only very good comedy writers are able to achieve.

Another trip to Fairhaven to join The Thursday Murder Club solve another mystery. Love all the main characters as well as returning character Bogdan, who assists the club in getting to the bottom of the goings on.
Elizabeth receives a letter from an old colleague who needs her help when he gets involved with stolen diamonds, a nasty mob and the odd drug dealer.
Full of wit and sneaky twists, a pleasure to read.

Once again the Thursday Murder Club is ready to solve a mystery, but this time the mystery is not a cold case, this time the mystery comes to Elizabeth with a letter from a dead man and with a blast from the past. And the blast from the past comes with diamonds and angry guys from the mafia.
But it's not just Elizabeth’s story. Ibrahim, Joyce, Ron, Bogdan, Donna, Chris, Poppy, Susan, Lance and many others also have important roles to play in this story. There are twists and turns and humor and surprises and wonderful characters, who make this story come alive.
Absolute joy to read.

I think I enjoyed this even more than the first. Richard is a natural writer, his characters natural and totally believable. I adore these cost crime novels, the way you feel safe reading them but there is always a darkness lying underneath. The Man Who Died twice is an excellent crime novel. The plot interesting and has enough red herrings in to keep you guessing. It's funny but at times there are moments of real tenderness. I've become rather find of The Thursday Murder Club and I can't wait to join this fabulous four once again for book number 3.

This book picks right up where The Thursday Murder Club finished up, and I’d definitely recommend reading that book first to become acquainted with all the main characters, as you only get a cursory introduction to them in this.

The story, like the previous book, is told alternately from a third person point of view and also from Joyce’s perspective. Joyce is the most relatable of the four octogenarian sleuths who make up the club, and has a really amusing turn of phrase:

‘I am learning that it is important to stop sometimes, and just have a drink and a gossip with friends, even as corpses start to pile up around you. Which they have been doing a lot recently.
It’s a balancing act, of course, but, by and large, the corpses will still be there in the morning, and you mustn’t let it spoil your Domino’s.’

One thing that differed from the previous book is that I felt we got to know ex-spy Elizabeth a lot better, and that’s because the premise of this book is that she is contacted by somebody from her past who is asking for her help, leading us towards the world of MI5. This is one of the ways that I felt the title was apt, as it had me singing the Bond theme ‘You Only Live Twice’ in between reading sessions and since! It’s apt for other reasons too.

Elizabeth’s mind is still razor sharp. She’s an interesting character, on the one hand being quite coldly logical, and on the other her deep love for her husband Stephen, who has dementia. Sometimes he is Stephen, sometimes Stephen has gone and there’s an angry or confused man instead, or somebody in the past. It was really touching, and especially the contrast it makes to Elizabeth’s keen mind.

With this additional focus on Elizabeth, we get less of Ron and Ibrahim, which I was sorry for, as I found them both entertaining characters in the first book. Ibrahim is sidelined by an event early on in the story – I see from the end of the book that a Thursday Murder Club book 3 is on the cards and I hope that we have a bit of focus on Ibrahim then, because I want to see him work through the issues he is dealing with.

As for the plot, well, you have to suspend your sense of disbelief a little, but I was happy to do that because it’s just such a thoroughly entertaining read. There is a bit of moral vacuum in this story too – as long as the bad guys get their comeuppance nobody seems bothered as to how, which would make me uncomfortable in real life, but I am happy to live with in a story.

Something I think is done particularly well in this book is the mix of humour and melancholy – there are sad events and situations in the story, but a lot of gentle humour too, it’s just really well-balanced, so you never lose the cosy mystery feel even despite some of the events. I felt the previous book lost its way a little and became convoluted and a bit sad at the end but this book felt far more even. The ending was very feelgood too. I really enjoyed it and will certainly plan to read the next book. I’d rate this as a 5 star read.

Fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Just the right mix of murder mystery, humour and quick witted thinking. The last paragraph of chapter 82 made me burst in to tears, I won't say why as not to spoil things. It was beautifully written, really touching in parts and I really am looking forward to the next installment. The Thursday murder club seem like the best of friends, and throughout the story, not only do you see their friendship circle expand, but you're made to feel like a part of the club too. I would definitely recommend, especially if you enjoyed the first installment.

This was the second book in the series and it was just as enjoyable as the first. Full of wonderful characters you can’t help but love. Silly far fetched storyline which had me laughing out loud a few times. Highly recommend this book.

Boring and slow to read! I plodded along because I had committed to write a review for NetGalley. I started it on holiday in Majorca in August and only finished it yesterday half way through October! The first book in this series was the most read book by people at the pool , who all seemed to have bought a copy at the airport. So I informed them that they could get the sequel on NetGalley if they had a kindle so that they could carry on following the story !,!!!

I usually read two books a week ! I have been isolating for ages now because of health risks but Facebook was a better escape than this book.

I enjoyed the Thursday Club , and I had not expected to because I find him difficult to watch on Pointless. He seems to have an inferiority complex because he comes from an Essex Comprehensive, may be he was made to feel this by all the Public School people at Cambridge! I am 80 and reading Thursday Club made me feel that maybe there was an alternative to Care homes as seen on TV where everyone seems to spend all day sat in a circle. But this sequel seemed too far into unrealistic, jumped about to much and difficult to keep hold of the thread!

Another reason for plodding to the end was that when he appeared on the ‘One Show’ , he said there was a surprise that would make you smile on the last page! So how much of his Royalties is he donating to Dementia Research Charities! That may make the plod worthwhile!

Now off to a new book at last .

Really enjoyed the second book in this fab series. I adore Joyce, I just want to adopt her as my Granny. She's fabulous. This story was very enjoyable and had alot of twists and turns. And I was totally wrong in guessing who done it, which made me enjoy it even more. Can't wait for book number 3 to see what Joyce, Ron, Ibrahim and Elizabeth get up to next.

The Thursday Murder Club are back and this time they have to help an old accomplice of Elizabeth’s. The said man has a story that will shock even the most resolute of people, but this group of septuagenarians are made of stern stuff and never back down even if might get them killed.
Our gang have to locate some lost diamonds whilst avoiding a mobster who will not stop until he gets what he thinks is his. The foursome have to move quickly as bodies are piling up and they could be next.
The second novel I find, is quite often the one that defines an author and this second one is fantastic. It has a lighthearted atmosphere with great laughs and intense scenes throughout. Superbly written with an air of aplomb and an ending that will knock your socks off. Can’t wait for the third instalment.

‘The Man Who Died Twice’ picks up right where ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ leaves off, when a blast from Elizabeth’s past unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep at Cooper’s Chase Retirement Home and asks her a big favour.

A cosy mystery with a lot of heart and humour. I loved spending time with Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim again, and I am looking forward to seeing what mysteries and hurdles book three brings their way.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a cracker! This fast paced mystery is a delightful read. Elizabeth and the gang are back in full throttle on the case of a fortune in stolen diamonds. The members of the Thursday Murder Club are given more depth in this second book of the series and it is someone from Elizabeth's past that now needs her help. One of the gang is attacked and it takes everyone’s support to get them back on their feet again. If you liked the first book in the series you're going to love this - as it’s even better!

This book will generate loans itself without much promotion from me. Have already had numerous requests. It was an absolute pleasure to rejoin the Thursday Murder Club members and I think I actually preferred this to the first book as I didn’t have to get to know the characters in the same way. Was really glad to see a third advertised,

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Club are back! A group of friends from a retirement community - Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron - fight crime in their own inimitable style. We have murders, a drug dealer, a mafia boss, MI5, diamonds, a young thug and a huge cast of supporting characters, all with their unique part in the mystery.

A hugely enjoyable book - like the Famous Five for grown-ups! Great characters, a plot that keeps you guessing, some thought provoking asides on aging, dementia, friendship, romance and many other issues, and all laced with humour. Very highly recommended - so glad it's a series!

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

Took me a while to get into this. I'm glad I read the first one in the end first as it brings you back together with all the other characters. Enjoyable story. Great humour and storyline.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me an Arc in exchange for an honest review

Richard Osman has without a doubt found a place in the hearts of all his fans and I count myself as one. Retirement home residents Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron are back again on the trail of the murder ... of Elizabeth's ex-husband. The plot revolves around stolen diamonds, international mafia and local drug dealers - do our team triumph and discover who stole the diamonds? Such a joyful, funny, quintessentially British read. I adored it and will be gifting this beaut of a novel to loved ones over Christmas.

Just as witty as the first book, The Man Who Died Twice makes me care even harder for the four members of the Thursday Murder Club. The story was very entertaining and told with a great sense of humor; it's hard not to love this book!