The Man Who Died Twice is an enjoyable, delicious sequel to The Thursday Murder Club.
Richard Osman has done it again….what a delight to catch up with Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim.
This one kept me guessing until the end.

This gets better and better, many sequels I’ve read sadly have not lived up to expectations, this however is on a different level . Superb follow up, intricate story line, along with the characters I’m getting to love. Again lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing, with brutality, murder, compassion, humour and dare I say budding romances thrown in. Plus the best conclusion ever! I’m sure you can surmise I absolutely loved it and totally recommend both the books, readers cannot be disappointed.

Have you ever wondered what Richard Osman is doing with his computer on Pointless? Well, he is obviously writing novels! His second "The Man Who Died Twice" is a cracker. In fact, I would go to say it is better than the first (The Thursday Murder Club)! Great writing, classic Osman dialogue and a touch of the Da Vinci Code thrown in for good measure. The old gang is back with more murders to solve and new characters to enjoy.

His second book (in the series?) involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, MI5, a canny ex-husband and a series of murders. Even though the body count piles up, this is a gentle, very British novel.

Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron (members of the Thursday Murder Club) in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. If they secure the diamonds what will they do with them?

They are up against an enemy - or enemies - who are ruthless killers and the Thursday Murder Club are in the firing line! Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?

We are briefly introduced to Elizabeth's ex-husband who is a lady's man and has procured the diamonds with a cunning plan! He leaves clues to the whereabouts of the diamonds after his violent(all done in the best possible taste) demise. But is he dead? The clue might be in the title!

The Osman humour is evident from the start:

"I was talking to a woman in Ruskin Court and she said she’s on a diet," says Joyce, finishing her glass of wine. ‘She’s eighty-two!’‘

"Zimmer frames make you look fat," says Ron. ‘It’s the thin legs."

‘Why diet at eighty-two?’ says Joyce. ‘What’s a sausage roll going to do to you? Kill you? Well, join the queue."

The banter continues throughout the book:

"You ever dealt with the mafia?" asks Vic. The mafia? Well this is getting interesting.

Connie shakes her head. "I tried to cancel Sky Sports once, that’s the closest I’ve got."

His main four characters are a delight and their foibles are constantly presented in the best possible taste. You have to love them. Joyce struggles with modern technology just like many septuagenarians! Here is an example: She sent me a message, and the message ended with emojis of a poppy and a daisy, which was very moving. I sent one back, telling her we would still like to see her, and I tried to add a poppy and a daisy to that too, but I pressed the wrong thing and sent a poppy and a Christmas tree instead.

We discover more about the love lives (or lack of in the case of Donna) of the Fairhaven police detectives Chris and Donna. For example, we learn of Donna's encounter with a driving instructor:

Donna having very disappointing sex with a driving instructor. She had also made the mistake of telling her mum and Chris about it, and they had a field day. Mum had made a number of jokes about his gearstick, and Chris had said, ‘Did he look in his mirror before pulling out?’

Unfortunately, the novel has to end even if you try and stretch it out! Richard has a neat ending with the diamonds, and you can feel good! So enjoyable - bring on the next one!

The second instalment of the Thursday Murder club is equally delightful as the first. The prose and style is amazing, the story is brilliant and I cannot recommend this book enough, I can't wait for the third.

Brilliant!

I could leave my review as that, but will expand slightly to give my reasons. Richard Osman has delivered a great follow up to the original "The Thursday Murder Club", and it mainly relies on the characters and the wit that weaves through the storyline.

When I read the first book in the series, I was wondering how a bunch of retirees in a retirement home could engage me into the story, I still don't know fully but I know that I love the characters. The second book, expands on some of the characterisation, but is written in the same format of the format. This means that we get some personal diary entries from Joyce, that have a whimsical feel as they include random comments or observations about everything going on around her, not just some exposition added for the readers sake.

A brilliant book that feels like a modern day Murder She Wrote that doesn't have any excessive violence and no swearing in it.

I was given a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return from my honest review.

A welcome second story from the most exciting retirement village in the world. As before, a clever plot, feisty old folks and clever writing make this a must-read sequel.

I loved this book, much as I loved the first one in the series, carry on Richard.
The characters are written with understanding, insight and most of all caring. They are believabale, we all know all of them. The situations, well sme of them, we all recognise, they are real, very real, too real in fact.
Each of the characters has their strength, each theireweakness just as we, the reader, do. The story is, just about plausible (within artistic licence at least) which adds to the great enjoyment
Fantastic writing, fantastic understanding definitely an "unputdownable" read and one for the occasional reader to gereate more reading hunger.
Loved it from beginning to end!

Where did Richard Osman crime writer come from? Such an assured voice, he creates characters who embed themselves in your head. The Thursday Murder Club was a total surprise, The Man Who Died Twice is a welcome return to a world where no-one is defined by age, they are still demonstrably who they always were but you are aware that time is not on their side.
More please.

Last year against all odds I found myself enjoying Osmans debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club. I’m not a mystery thriller fan, and tend to veer away from celebrity writers.

I was foolish, I loved every page.

And here we are again. It’s instantly more comforting to be back in the company of the unflappable four - Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron and Ibrahim. Following these retirees in their latest adventure is pure fun, but it’s also cleverer than it needs to be. There are clues, red herrings and twists in the central mystery which centres around diamonds, MI5, ex lovers and murder.

One of my favourite characters suffers in this book and I became quite fiercely protective, so it’s clear while utilising the humour and layering the jokes, Osman has the skill to make you care too.

A heady blend of Victoria Wood, Jessica Fletcher and John le Carre by way of Waiting For God, I cannot wait to see what the foursome get up to next.

The sequel to the Thursday Murder Club is as good, if not better, than the original.

Here, we have the gang of four elderly reprobates outwitting British criminals, the New York Mafia and MI5. Much as that sounds far-fetched it really works - Elizabeth is a former MI5 operative and still knows a thing or two about spying and subversion. There's also former nurse Joyce - game for anything and mischievous as ever; Ron - getting in some serious acting (must be where his famous actor son gets it from) and Ibrahim - highly intelligent and a meticulous observer. The mysterious Bogdan makes a very welcome return, as do local police officers Chris and Donna.

In "The Man Who Died Twice" they are contending with stolen diamonds, an important character from Elizabeth's past and an international crime syndicate, while also coping with the problems of aching knees, vulnerability and Stephen's dementia. There are a couple of romances, much humour (watch out for Instagram!), several murders and Elizabeth belatedly learning to recognise true friendship.

Brilliant!
Thank you NetGalley, Viking and Richard Osman

Provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

A very good sequel to The Thursday Murder Club.

The story starts pretty much after the first book ends and we get to see the team being normal for a short while. Until we have an incident with Ibrahim, that then ties in with the local drug ring and then we have stuff happening with Elizabeth and Joyce and it all takes off. We learn more and more about each member of the TMC and it’s a bit like being in a rollercoaster. Ups, downs, highs, lows etc. And there’s some romance…! I loved it. I didn’t think it was as good as the first one, but I still thought it was great. Can’t wait for the next one!

Our favourite group of crime-solving septuagenarians is back with a smashing new adventure. Joyce (former nurse) is making friendship bracelets, thinking of getting a dog and /or Instagram, Ibrahim (former psychiatrist) is regretting not having lived life to the fullest and has decided to live in the moment from now on, Ron (former union leader) is excitedly preparing for his grandson Kendrick’s visit, and Elizabeth (former MI5) is worried about her husband’s declining health.
Donna and Chris (local police) find they are outwitted by the new local drug kingpin.
But the idyllic day to day life at the Cooper’s Chase retirement home complex is interrupted when someone from Elizabeth’s past needs her help to get out of a sticky situation involving diamonds missing from a mobster. In return, Elizabeth wants help locating the thug who badly hurt one of the Thursday Murder club members. Soon, bodies start piling up and the mobsters involved have no qualms going after a group of septuagenarians.

The last case of the Thursday Murder club brought the group closer together and it’s lovely to see their friendships blossom.
The book is well-written and a worthy second instalment in what looks to become a great series. Highly recommended.

You don’t have to read the first book in the series, the plot and characters are introduced again, but I recommend reading the first book nonetheless, because it’s a great book.

Many thanks to the Penguin group, Richard Osman and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to read this having read the Thursday Murder Club last year and loved the characters in it. This is Richard Osman's second in the series, and it was lovely to "see" all the club members again.

Osman's writing is great - very funny with a lot of warmth towards his characters. The "Thursday Murder Club" is made up of former spy Elizabeth and a group of her friends who live in the same retirement village, Cooper's Chase - Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim.

Part of the charm is this place. Far from the stereotype of "old people's homes" Cooper's Chase sounds like heaven on earth - residents enjoy a lovely picturesque setting, they all have their own homes and seem to spend most lunchtimes guzzling wine.

But Osman isn't creating a completely unbelievable scenario where older people live in some kind of idyllic bubble. He does take care to include issues that will no doubt be familiar to lots of older people, such as increasing ailments, dealing with senility, and vulnerability to violence.

In this installment, the club finds itself embroiled in a surreal tangle involving stolen diamonds and death threats. It's a hilarious plot that brings in many new characters that helps to keep the book feeling fresh and also adds something to the longer-standing characters. We learn a bit more about Elizabeth, for instance, as a blast from her past shows up.

Along with the "main" plot of actual crimes and murders, the book is packed with several sub-plots - including budding romances, battles with mental health problems, strains with family members and more. Ibrahim suffers a particularly nasty incident, that the others quickly rush to resolve, along the way tying it in with the existing, eccentric plot.

I think for the next one, it would be great to give Ron a bit more of a storyline, as he seemed to take a bit of a back seat in this book.

For people who are new to Richard Osman, I would recommend reading The Thursday Murder Club before this one, but it doesn't really matter if you don't. I do think, however, that this is a series that is very easy to get into, and hope there will be many more books to come.

My day was made when I discovered I had the chance to read an early copy of 'The Man Who Died Twice' in exchange for an honest review. Having loved its predecessor, 'The Thursday Murder Club', I hoped I was in for a treat. Of course, that came with a bit of nervousness about this potentially being the "difficult second book" and not living up to the first. I needn't have worried – I adored it!

The book takes us back to Coopers Chase retirement home and our favourite quirky characters. I particularly appreciated how each character's personality was given more of an opportunity to shine through in this book. Although these people find themselves in such unusual circumstances, they are so real and down-to-earth. They could be anyone's grandparents! There was also a generous dose of Richard Osman's inimitably wry writing style which made me laugh out loud so many times.

The book is a page-turner and kept me guessing all the way through. Above all, though, it was a book with huge heart about intergenerational love and friendship, teamwork and how we should never underestimate anyone (particularly our elders!).

I haven't done any reviewing this year. This was by choice - finish up all outstanding reviews and then stay strong and don't request anything. Don't even look at NetGalley or Edelweiss. And I was going okay, until Ellie sent out an auto-approved link and I simply couldn't resist the next Thursday Murder Club Mystery.

Straight off the first page we're back with the disjointed but witty banter between Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim. They're discussing everything that needs to be discussed - most interestingly whether Joyce should get a dog (yes) and if so, what kind (medium, not a puppy).

Everyone's back, in fact. Chris and Donna, even Ron's taxi guy, faithful Bogdan, and we're also joined by MI5, MI6, a cast of new criminals and even Elizabeth's ex-husband. Who may or may not have lifted 20 million pounds' worth of diamonds from a rather stuffy man who acts as the middle-man between the various mafias around the world, who won't hesitate to kill him or anyone to get their property back - not that they need it, just the principle of the thing, you know. Little old ladies included.

So it's with this at stake that the Thursday Murder Club trot along on their merry way to be underestimated here, there, and everywhere. They are all in their element, whether it's Ron playing the tough man or Joyce being sweet, or Elizabeth being Elizabeth.

Importantly, Ibrahim plays a quieter role in this book which only makes it more believable and drives the others to fight harder.

I love that the spotlight is on the older generation here and that they accomplish what others probably can't, thanks to their decades of experience and connections. But that also they still make mistakes sometimes, or that they don't always make the choices that you or I might make.

This was a second book just as good as the first, which we don't always get to experience. I hope there'll be a lot more in the series to come yet.

I received an advance copy of #TheManWhoDiedTwice from Penguin & #NetGalley – and how lucky was I?!
When I received the email that Osman was releasing a 2nd novel I was really excited to read it because I had loved his debut, The Thursday Murder Club so much; but I was also concerned how the new one would live up to the last – I needn’t have worried. The same main characters are here ( so yes, it will help if you’ve read #ThursdayMurderClub ) including my particular favourites: Joyce and her wonderful chatty diary entries, Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim plus of course Chris & Donna.
The story is fantastical enough to be just on the edge of believability and I read the book in 2 sittings, including a 2am finish because I just couldn’t put it down.
One of my favourite things about Osman’s writing style is that one moment you can be laughing, one moment you are on the edge of your seat reading quicker & quicker to get to the next chapter, and the next there is a sentimental quote or thought that takes your breath away. A true rollercoaster of emotions. I rarely give 5 star reviews, but I did for Thursday Murder Club and this new release matches up & even, perhaps, surpasses expectations for that “difficult” second novel – of course we should have known that Osman wouldn’t make this difficult to read. Excellent escapism in the South East of England, where OAPs, MI5, diamonds & love combine wonderfully! 5*

Even better than The Thursday Murder Club!

Each character has developed further and our main protagonists are now fully fledged people that you wish were your own friends. It’s so refreshing to read a book with characters that you actually like - I oscillate between having Joyce, Bogdan and Elizabeth as my favourite!

Osman adds deft touches of both poignancy and humour throughout in such a balanced way. I laughed out loud when Joyce was doing word searches on her phone whilst being held at gun point!! Friendship, decency and justice are the watchwords of the team with a dash of mischief for good measure.

The plot is full of twists and turns and the bad guys do get punished in the end.

I am very impressed by this writer and eagerly await the next instalment in the series.

An excellent sequel to his debut 'The Thursday Murder Club'. All the characters from the previous novel have their parts to play, together with some new ones, in a plot surrounding Elizabeth's ex-husband from MI5 and some diamonds. Suffice to say that the residents are underestimated, but prove how wrong that assumption is.

Richard Osman has discovered a winning formula that will appeal to a wide readership; and I would recommend it to anyone.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC.

From the first page or two I was already properly laughing at this book. I just love the four central characters and their relationships and, revisiting them after The Thursday Murder Club, this book felt like reuniting with old friends. I actually thought the murder story itself was more intriguing in this story than in the first in the series and, much as I loved The Thursday Murder Club, I actually found this one even funnier.

Having loved The Thursday Murder Club, I was VERY excited to read this. I immediately felt surrounded by old friends, with their endearing, humourous quirks

Joyce's desire for excitement and chatty diary entries, strewn with irrelevances, plus her obsession with refreshments.
Elizabeth's sarcasm and complete disregard for rules.
Ibrahim's fear of taking risks and exquisite attention to detail.
Rob's stubbornness and straightforwardness.

A letter bringing a blast from Elizabeth's colourful, intrigue-filled past kicks the friends off on a new adventure, ably assisted once more by police officers Chris and Donna. Murder, drugs, diamonds. What more do you want?

Dare I say I enjoyed it even more than The Thursday Murder Club and sincerely hope Richard Osman is working on another volume.