Member Reviews
This is the second instalment in the Thursday Murder Club series (I really enjoyed the first!) about a group of septuagenarian sleuths who live in Coopers Chase retirement village.
I was really looking forward to reading this and it didn’t disappoint. You delve more into the four main characters and discover new ones!
It is pure enjoyable, cosy crime, escapism and it works really well.
I'm going to put it out there: The Man Who Died Twice is one of those rare sequels that's better than the original.
The ingredients are the same - a cosy, light-hearted detective story led by a cast of sassy septuagenarians - and it's still a winning formula. But the mystery is tighter, and there is a real sense that the characters have grown into themselves. It's as if Osman has refined his style, making this second effort just that bit more effortless than the last.
Needless to say, fans of The Thursday Murder Club will find much to enjoy here, and I imagine that The Man Who Died Twice may introduce some new readers to the series too.
Splendid stuff. Murder MI5 and a group of retired people sorting it out and dealing with the most complicated occurrences.
Quintessentially British. Totally Bonkers. Thoroughly Brilliant.
I was as unable to put this down as I was the previous novel, I sniggered and giggled my way through it with ease and glee. A great second outing for the Thursday Murder Club, highly recommended.
Disappointing sequel? Nope- not here!
The Thursday Murder Club characters get stronger and funnier, This novel offers an entertaining and page turning story line with ample opportunities for character development.
Elizabeth and the gang are back to solve another crime and the bodies are piling up. This time it’s a figure from Elizabeth’s past, he needs her help but as usual, nothing is quite as it seems!
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and recommend it to anyone who loved the first instalment and also to anyone who hasn’t yet picked up the series.
Even better than the first book! Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are back with another fun escapade involving murder, devilish cunning, friendship and major sleuthing! Elizabeth's previous career as a highly respected spy ensures clues are followed, suspicions are had and baddies are bad. I love the setting of sheltered housing, especially with the positive approach to supporting a spouse with dementia which makes this such a unique series. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.
Another story fro Richard Osman about the Thursday Murder Club. Set in sheltered housing we revisit the smart, but elderly, members and their friends in the community. A light hearted tale of murder, police and MI5.
The Man Who Died Twice is a well-told modern-day mystery featuring four friends in their 70s as they try and solve three interlinked mysteries surrounding some missing diamonds.
It is a well-told tale with characters that are well-drawn, although, on occasion, it is the 'bit' part players that speak more to the reader. (This may be because it's a second book and everyone already knows them from book 1).
It is filled with twists and turns, although the reader does get to a part of the mystery long before the characters do, but with a nice little twist at the end.
An engaging story, which I read very quickly
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.
Wonderful. Every bit as good as The Thursday Murder Club, The man who Died Twice is a complete joy. Often, follow up books to smash hits are disappointing. Not this one. Just fantastic. I can’t praise Richard Osman highly enough. I want to live in Coopers Chase. Looking forward to number three.
I haven't read the first book though I am aware of its enormous success, and I can now see why. Richard has a distinct voice and if you are familiar with him you can really feel it as you're reading. I will say the story wasn't the most enthralling but the characters and their unique personalities more than make up for it. It's very cleverly written and somehow really draws you into their lives, I do feel slightly that I'm now missing them and am eagerly awaiting the title of the third book. I can't see anyone being disappointed with this and can understand now the continued hype around the first! Absolutely recommend, even if like me you never got round to reading the first book.
Richard Osman has done it again with ‘The man who died twice’ This is another terrific book, the second in The Thursday murder Club series. I really enjoyed the first one and I think this book is even better than the first.
We return to Cooper Chase retirement village where the remaining members of The Thursday murder club are residing, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron. When ex-MI5 agent Elizabeth gets a letter from old colleague Marcus Carmichael asking for her help. Where a case he has been working on, goes horribly wrong and twenty million pounds worth of diamonds goes missing. Chuck in a violent gangster and Local Police officers Chris and Donna on the case, what possibly goes wrong. Bodies start turning up.
Thank you, Penguin, for a copy of ‘The man who died twice’ This is another great book from the author. This time it has a more intricate plot but was funny at times and with the same loveable characters that we have come to love from the first book. This is also about friendship and the bonds between them and just because you are at a certain age, you are not done yet. I love this story of the four members of the club, and they sense of humour portrayed in this book. Can’t wait for book 3.
Eek probably my most anticipated book of the year and oh boy it didn’t disappoint!
I’m going so far as to say it’s better than the first book - unbelievable, I know! It had the exact same feeling as TTMC but the actual story was very different which I loved. I still had the same love for all the characters but I was equally enthralled by the plot.
Always have a big shout out for short chapters. It’s written at an amazing pace so while you’re constantly held in the story there’s still well developed subplots and a great buildup right to the end.
I also loved how much more we learnt about the characters (Joyce has my whole heart). Reading this book now that we know them, we get a much more in-depth view into their lives and feelings and there are also some important issues discussed surrounding some of the characters that I thought was extremely well done. (Dm me for more on this, ie CW, as will contain minor spoilers)
Could probably chat about this book for days but I’ll just spoil the whole thing for you. So if you’ve not read TTMC go pick it up in time for this one coming out on September 16th - I’ve already preordered my special edition one from Waterstones and yes I’ll be keeping the order cause I need one for my shelf
I read 'The Thursday Murder Club' with high expectations given the hype surrounding it and the myriad of high ratings. I found it a solid but average read and was expecting to react to 'The Man Who Died Twice' in the same way. The Book Series That Rated The Same Twice as it were.
Yet, I really, genuinely and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Every time I had to put it down I wanted to get back to it, and have read it all in two days. That is with two kids and a pile of ironing in the house as well.
I laughed throughout because it very accurately (or so I presume) captures the life of a pensioner in a humorous way, but also quite profoundly and seriously at times too. There were a few times that I also teared up because I have fallen a bit in love with these characters and their hurts hurt me.
All of the characters have such unique voices and personalities and they felt so much more 'bedded in' in this book. They were written confidently and I loved them all.
The plot was far more intriguing and pacier than 'The Thursday Murder Club'. I wonder whether it's because the victims garnered my sympathy more or whether it was just a plot that appealed more or a combination of both. It just felt less wandering and each chapter progressed the plot whether it was just the characters lives or the main murder plot. It almost always felt like it was moving and developing. I never felt sure that I had it all worked out even as I managed to deduce some elements.
Having said that, there were times when it felt like it wandered. I enjoy Joyce's diary entries but they do tend to repeat events that have just happened and it grows repetitive. I remember this was the same in the first book too. Those sections maybe need to focus on new elements rather than re-recording the events we've just read.
Likewise, there were quite a few chapters that were from the POV of secondary characters such as Lomax or Lance. They didn't add anything to the plot but did get a few jokes in and while they were funny the whole segment just felt forced and pointless (no pun intended). Did we need the sections about Lomax's Garden, for example. I kept thinking they would come back to have impact but it never did so they genuinely were just filler.
It was this repetition and wandering that made me sure I would rate 4 stars but having reviewed it as a whole I'm going with the full 5 because I did genuinely love it and I already cannot wait for the next one.
Picking up just a few days after the conclusion of The Thursday Murder Club, this time Elizabeth is contacted by an old flame following the theft of twenty million pounds worth of diamonds...
If you like your murder mysteries gritty and realistic, then this very possibly isn’t the series for you. If, however, you enjoy wry, laugh out loud humour, great characters and an amusing plot, then look no further.
Fans of The Thursday Murder Club will be delighted with this book which maintains the witty style and high calibre of its predecessor. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you liked 'The Thursday Murder Club' you'll like this. Richard Osman has a winning formula and there's no reason he can't continue to succeed with it. The books are like the literary version of Sunday evening TV - gentle, cosy and unchallenging, with some potentially dark themes but plenty of quips to balance them out.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin for granting me access to an eARC of The Man Who Died Twice.
My favourite crime solving crew are back and I loved EVERY MOMENT OF IT. Honestly I think you could write these characters doing just about anything and I would adore it; although I did reflect and think that if it was anyone but these characters doing these things I would see it as farfetched but with these characters I just absolutely adore it.
The antics ramp up in this book and there are plenty of heart-stopping moments but also laugh out loud moments and it really does justice to the first book. I want this series to go on forever and ever.
Cannot wait to get my finished copy!!
The Thursday night murder club are at it again. A brilliant follow up to the first book, Richard added more depth to the characters with a super twisty plot. This was a pleasure to read and I would highly recommend the book. I hope when I retire I have as many adventures as Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron and Ibrahim.
Incredible book. Incredible characters, incredible twists, incredible humour.
The retirement village crime solvers are back and they’re more charming and cunning than ever.
A bag of stolen diamonds causes much more hassle than an elderly thief intends. When he reaches out to an old friend for help, will Elizabeth and her retired friends be able to save him from his demise?
It’s so rare that a grisly and addictive murder mystery story is also so brilliantly funny. There’s an innocence and an aloof yet ruthless attitude to each character. Their old age gives them an edge that you simply wouldn’t find in other crime solving teams. As always, Joyce’s diary is my favourite part.
It is truly heartwarming to feel like part of The Thursday Murder Club, each character is so wonderfully written and I liked this story much better than the first. I didn’t want to put it down.
Favourite quote:
‘You’re not going to shoot us?’ says Joyce.
‘Not if you behave yourselves,’ says Sue.
‘Not really our speciality,’ says Joyce.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc, The Man Who Died Twice will be available from 16th September 2021.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
I give this book 4 stars
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. 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. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?
Elizabeth and the gang are back!
Cleverly written in such an engaging and witty way. Entertaining and colourful characters,dead bodies,a mystery to solve,red herrings and old age.A light hearted whodunnit that keeps you guessing. I loved it!
With thanks to Netgalley,Richard Osman and Penguin General UK
My thanks to Netgalley and Viking books for the opportunity to preview this book.
The story sees us returning to Coopers Chase meeting Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim yet again as they embark on yet another mysterious adventure, and it does not disappoint.
Being familiar with the characters from The Thursday murder club already, this novel brings us right into the story from the get go. There is plenty of wry humour throughout, and puzzles that will tax the brain and have you guessing along with the beloved retired amateur (and not so amateur) sleuths as they cross paths with petty criminals, spies and the mafia.
I really enjoyed this book!