What an absolute joy it is to return to Coopers Chase and the warm embrace of the Thursday Murder Club. I was a bit worried before I started this sequel in case it was the unexpectedness of the first instalment which made it so special. But, as soon as Joyce and Ron began to discuss a neighbour who's started a diet at the age of 82 (Ron thinks it's because zimmer frames make your legs look fat, but Joyce rightly points out that no one should deny themselves enjoyment at that age), I knew that the first book wasn't a fluke.

The Thursday Murder Club is the best depiction of aging. The core members of the group have taken everything they have learned throughout their lives and continue to use that skills and knowledge to keep themselves busy and make a difference. The only thing that's different from their younger selves is that they no longer give a toss about reputation or career goals and just want to do the right thing - which isn't always the strictly by the book thing.

One of the tricks the club members use to great effect is the fact that people judge them by how they appear. Joyce in particular plays the slightly bumbling nice old woman character with a lot of success. This is largely because she is essentially a nice woman with a heart of gold, but also happens to be unphased by dead bodies, threats and international criminal plots. In The Man Who Died Twice we also see that other people also use assumptions as a form of camouflage. Like the teenage girl working on reception for a storage area wearing headphones and seemingly paying little attention to her job. Joyce and Elizabeth quickly find out though that she hears every word they say about her and that the headphones aren’t plugged in, she just uses them as an excuse not to react to the attentions of the creepy manager of a nearby coffee shop.

It's easy to dismiss The Thursday Murder Club series as a 'cosy murder', but just like the protagonists this warm and welcoming exterior hides a story with a bite. A very satisfying read and a great instalment for this series which I hope will continue for many years to come.

The Thursday Murder Club are back, this time investigating missing diamonds, when Elizabeth's ex-husband appears to disturb their peace. After Ibrahim is mugged, the team find themselves fighting for justice for him, while Joyce is also considering getting a dog!

The Man Who Died Twice is a brilliant story, with gentle humour lurking amongst the crime on every page. Unlike many stories of this type, Richard Osman has managed to create a good crime drama, while still maintaining the humour. The four friends are great characters, each with their own unique quirks. Joyce has to be my favourite, with her diary entries making me laugh out loud!

Great story and one to keep you entertained from beginning to end. Richard Osman has done it again.

⭑⭑⭑⭑ 4 stars

themes:
- murder
- spies
- the elderly

"'Some people in life, Sue, are weather forecasters, whereas other people are the weather itself.'”

Goodreads Synopsis:
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?

Plot
As far as the mystery was concerned, and that mystery unravelling, I was totally satisfied by how the events in the book turned out. There were twists I expected, twists I didn't expect, and twists that completely spun my head in a 360. Although there were grave themes in this book, it made for light reading. And that is down to the characters.

Characters & Dynamics
Richard Osman has the peculiar ability of making bad guys in stories utterly pleasant. Which means, of course, that the good guys were delectable. The characters are easily my favourite part of this book series. Sweet, statistical Abraham, hardy, witty Elizabeth, and naive, lovable Joyce. They drew the best out of each other and really surpassed all my expectations when I read that the mystery-solvers are in their 70s. I deeply adored the monologues of Elizabeth. Less so of Joyce. I preferred Joyce in third person. I also particularly liked Stephen, Elizabeth's partner, I do wish he was more present in this story, although the reason he isn't tugs on the heartstrings incessantly.

Writing
RO's book is exactly as amusing and thrilling I expected it to be from the synopsis. His writing is enjoyable and it's an excitable thought on where the next book in the series will go.

World Building
I suppose there was no world building as such in this book, as it is the second in the series. However, Coopers Chase the retirement village is exactly how a reader would expect it to be. Full of the elderly.

Likes
- The characters
- The writing
- The plot

Dislikes
- Joyce's ramblings

Final Thoughts
This review is written without even reading the first in the series, which I have now purchased and am excited to read and hopefully read a third instalment, fourth instalment, fifth, sixth...

I have a confession to make. I didn't like the first of the books in this series. A friend whose opinion I trust recommended I give this one a try. I loved it! Tales of geriatric derring-do, diamonds and murder. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Richard Osman has made a leap in his writing. Definitely more matured then the first one. I would think that anyone can slip into the series even without reading the first book. It's a cosy murder mystery and it always amuses me how he slips into the mind of elderly women. Does he talk to his mum?

Anyway, the book overall is a quick read. It is delightful to see how the characters are also evolving, and you are seeing them unveil themselves. This time it was Elizabeth. ( Next Ibrahim or Ron? I think Joyce would be last. )

The storyline - an ex, several murders, millions worth of stolen loot, MI 6 and the mafia. All of them come together one evening and we have a mini pot boiler. I wouldn't say more lest I spoil it for you.

I must admit I was both eager and apprehensive to read this book. I loved the first one so much I was worried it wouldn’t live up to the same quality but I was definitely not disappointed. This book just kept me turning page after page, I didn’t want to put it down.
We are transported back to Coopers Chase retirement village and reintroduced to our lovely group of four friends from the Thursday Murder Club. Elizabeth receives a lunch invite from a man whose funeral she attended many years ago and from there the adventure begins. Along with the other three members, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron we also meet back up with DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas although they don’t take a lead role in the investigation this time as we have an appearance from MI5 who are heavily involved throughout. I was also delighted to see Bogdan make a return; I will admit to him being one of my favourites.
The mystery was full of twists and turns with murders, mafia bosses, drug dealers and missing diamonds and yet it was also cosy and heart-warming with plenty of laughs and emotional scenes showing both the strengths and vulnerabilities we can all relate to.
I can’t rate this second trip to Coopers Chase highly enough. If you are wanting a book where every chapter reveals a little bit more, keeps you guessing until the end and is full of genuine amiable characters whose antics you can’t help but smile at, then look no further.

I'm sure this will be another mega seller, especially in the Christmas market but I didn't enjoy it. I found the narrative really dull and flat - it takes a long time before there is an actual murder and even then it isn'yt very exciting. Stereotype characters abound. The USp of the "Thursday Murder Club" seems to be that ithe sleuths are oldies who look sweet but are incredibly canny and still have all the faculties but the joke wears thin pretty quickly. I can see the BBC picking this up for a series starring the "usual suspects". (e.g. Celia Imrie Miriam Margolyes).

I haven't read the first book so it took me awhile to warm up to the "gang." The story centres around Elizabeth (one of the gang) who used to work for MI5. Her younger ex husband appears at Coopers Chase (the club's retirement complex). He has stolen £20 million in diamonds from a "middle man" broker for gangsters and needs Elizabeth's help. There is also a sub plot involving Ibrahim, another one of the club who has been violently mugged by a teenager and the club want revenge. One chapter is written in the thrd person and then the next is narrated by Joyce (the seemingly ditsy one of the club) supposedly writing in her diary but is written like a disjointed chat with a friend, tediously going off on verbose tangents that lead nowhere. All tea cosies and comfy slippers in tone. I just found it all a hard slog.

I really enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club so was very excited to get stuck into the sequel. And oh boy I absolutely LOVED it. Whilst the first book was great, this is just absolute perfection. Every unexpected and satisfying twist, every delightful aside, was just what I wanted to read and I didn’t even know it.

The characters are SO perfect that I feel like I know them – and love them. Every description so perfectly formed and witty and sometimes just plain hilarious. Very British without being overly twee. Action and drama that swiftly brings you back down to Earth with every quip from Joyce, who is just as happy filling out a crossword or thinking about what to make for dinner as she is surveying a murder scene for inconsistencies.

Anyway, enough gushing and let’s get down to the plot!

The Man Who Died Twice kicks off exactly where The Thursday Murder Club finished – it’s the following Thursday and Elizabeth has received a mysterious note under her door. And just like we have come to expect from Elizabeth – all is not what it seems and the note leads to a new case for our gang.

Soon they’re on a mission to help Elizabeth’s old friend and on the hunt for some missing diamonds and – of course - a murderer! As usual, no one can appreciate what they’re dealing with when they come up against the Thursday Murder Club. No one except police officers Chris and Donna, and good old Bogdan! The heart-warming friendships, blossoming new relationships, and strength and power of the long-term bonds such as Elizabeth and Stephen; and the gang and Ibrahim – make the book even more of a joy to read.

I feel a bit bereft to be out of the Thursday Murder Club world again – but can’t wait for the next instalment!

Oh how I have missed the gang and their exploits. The previous book appeared to be a love it or hate it and I loved it. This is pretty much going to be the same.
A figure from Elizabeth's murky past becomes resident in Coopers Chase and M15 ask for her help. When there is an attempt on his life he is moved with his handler to a safe house.
In the meantime Ibrahim is mugged and badly beaten, Donna and Chris are on the tail of a local drugs queen. Chris is dating Donna's mother and Bogdan is being Bogdan.
We meet a whole string of characters, some good, some bad, some stay alive, some die.
Told in a funny and entertaining way, if you loved The Thursday Murder Club, you will love this too.

I really love this series! This was another great mystery that unfolded at a good pace and was full of twists. Elizabeth is such a great character and I really enjoyed learning more about her badass past! I read this over a weekend and I already can't wait for the next installment. Also I love Joyce's little inputs and thoughts - she's so comical. A really good read.

This is brilliant!!!! Just as good as the first book in the series and equally as addictive!!!! I just loved it

I loved this! I was so pleased to ge reunited with Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron! Another excellent escapade from the Thursday Murder Club.

Firstly, I love these characters with my whole heart which may sound extreme, but this is the first time in a long time ive felt this way.
I even love the side characters, that goes for Chris his personal development in this book made me so happy and im rooting for him and Patrice.
I also love how British this book is, there are so many amazing references you just would struggle to understand if you were from a different country.
If im being honest I think I liked the mystery storyline more in the first book but this is still an amazing mystery novel, I love Richard osmans writing and I hope there will be a third book, i need to know what happens with bogdan and donna!!
I just love this series so much!
4/5 stars

A brilliant sequel to the "thursday murder club". Although full of intrigue, diamond smuggling, muggings and murders the author manages to tell the story with great warmth and wit. I hope it is going to be a trilogy as I'm already missing Elizabeth, Joyce and the rest of the well drawn characters.
Thank you to netgalley and penguin books for an advance copy of this book.

Another brilliant book! This series is becoming a fast favourite – it's fun, the characters are believable and enjoyable to follow, the plot is tight and keeps you guessing, and has a super satisfying ending. I'm a big fan of the four club-members and am thrilled that there's going to be a third book in the series – keep them coming!

The second book of the series and once again, written in a whimsical and amusing style which I enjoyed. The perspective of the group of older friends is spot on and their observations and priorities in life are very sweet and quintessentially British.
The plot has various twists and turns and involves stolen diamonds, the mafia plus a few murders along the way. Led by our fearless elderly friends we slowly unravel the tale with some clever quirks in the storyline along the way. I admit I wasn’t always completely sure what was going on but quickly caught up again, I had the same experience with the first book, but overall an enjoyable read and I’m definitely a fan of the style. I love the way the story builds up to a punchy and crescendo finish with a few surprises right at the end. Recommend.

The Thursday Murder Club moves on. And into some murky waters, brutal murders and contact with unlikely security agencies. There are few humorous one liners and the denouement feels oddly contrived, but the Murder Club is still there to love!

I did not like The Thursday Murder Club. I thought I would try this and see if Richard Osman's dumbed down style of writing worked for me. It sadly, does not. I am at a loss to understand how someone who portrays themselves as someone of intelligence would come up with books full of lazy stereotypes. Of course, the answer to this is simple. He has gone for the lowest common denominator and is wanting to sell as many books as he can so is aiming them at the holiday readers, the books you grab when you're in a WHSmiths before you rush to the gate which is 50 miles away.

This could have been so much better than it was, it's chock full of lazy and sometimes quite insulting stereotypes and even though I tried to go into it with a clear, unassuming mind..I still didn't like it.

Fans of Osman won't like this, I have three friends who have also read this. One knows him, two do not. Nobody liked it.

1 out of 5

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Having enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club, but perhaps not being quite as blown away as the hype had suggested I would be, I was intrigued to get stuck into Richard's second book. Good news is that all the main characters return, and it was really enjoyable to learn more about Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim. The police team Chris and Donna are also back. The book delves into Elizabeth's past, and that past becomes her present rather suddenly in the early chapters of the book.

Yes the plot gets a bit far-fetched, but it's a really enjoyable read, probably more so than the first book as the characters are already familiar. I particularly liked Donna and Joyce in this one, and again, whilst perhaps hard to believe, the sense of justice being done (whether that's by the book or not) is a theme I warmed to.

No doubt this one will go on to be just as successful and the good news is on the final page there's confirmation there'll be a third novel next year. Great to see Richard has been putting the lockdowns to good use!

Just the tonic...
Witty, fun and absolutely lives up to expectations. I loved the first one, and loved this even more. Revealing more and more hilarious/ touching/ intriguing layers to my favourite characters while chasing the crazy plot around corners, the humour is packed into every sentence. Not just 'cosy crime' as some have said, the witty observations and characterisation are so clever and thought-provoking. I really needed cheering up, and holy cardigans, did this do the trick!!