Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman (Osman)

 

Author Richard Osman may not be an overly familiar name for Americans, but he’s definitely a “celebrity” in the U.K., where he’s a comedian, TV personality, game show host, and “presenter”. The Thursday Murder Club is his first novel (with a contract for a second in 2021), and is a mixture between classic British “whodunit” and humorous and quirky character study. Different chapters are shared from different characters’ points of view, and each of them has an intriguing take on the plot.

 

The “Thursday Murder Club” is a group of four seniors living in a luxury retirement village in Kent. Once a week, these four distinctly different individuals gather to look over the evidence in a variety of “cold case” murders, and brainstorm solutions to the cases. This comfortable routine is disrupted — or should I say enhanced — when an actual murder takes place in their midst, and these four “amateur sleuths” think they know more about the case than the actual police, and set out to solve the murder (or at least assist in solving it).

Filled with colorful characters whom you’ll grow to care about, witty and snappy dialog, thoughtful observations on growing older and still finding a place for yourself in a changing world, and a truly challenging and creative mystery plot, The Thursday Murder Club is a wonderful first entry for a promising new mystery author. One of my favorite reads in 2020! I can’t want to see more from Richard Osman.

 

[ publisher’s official The Thursday Murder Club web site ] | [ official Richard Osman Twitter feed (he doesn’t have a website) ]

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library – Public Service

 

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