The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is one of those books I cannot stop recommending to people. It's unique, funny, and hugely compelling, and has rightfully so sat at the top of the book charts for many consecutive months. The long-awaited sequel was released just a few weeks ago and sold an astonishing 114,202 copies in the first week alone – a testimony to how much readers love Osman's wonderful writing. I'm thrilled to be a part of the blog tour once again, as this is a book, and series, so very deservedly of being shouted about again and again.
After solving a real-life murder, septuagenarians Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron have developed an unusual taste for solving mysteries. And while their quiet, English retirement village of Cooper's Chase in Kent doesn't seem like it would be a hot spot for crime and mayhem to strike twice, Elizabeth's former job in the secret service, leads them to another murder to investigate – right on their doorstep. One that the unqualified yet determined members of The Thursday Murder Club of course cannot resist trying to solve...
With The Man Who Died Twice, Richard Osman takes the beloved and charming crew of retirees from his previous novel, and places them at the heart of a brand-new mystery. One that seems even more puzzling and dangerous than before. However, that doesn't deter the over-70s amateur sleuths from poking their noses in where they don't belong and using their age cards to charm their way into the investigation; reluctantly and often inadvertently aided by the local police, a questionable handyman, and anyone else unfortunate enough to cross paths with them.
It's this likeable cast of elderly characters that undoubtedly contribute to what makes this series of books so popular. While in the first novel we knew little more about them aside from their attraction to murder investigations and their jobs before retirement, the sequel delves into their past lives while also adding a lot of development in the present timeline, making the characters more well-rounded outside of the murder mystery. There is a particularly moving storyline with Ibrahim at the centre that adds a lots of heart to the novel and makes it seem less like implausible fiction and more rooted in reality.
You'll notice I've steered away from diving into the details of the murder mystery itself, however, and that's because I do not accidentally want to give anything away. All you need to know is that there are murders, diamonds, and even the mafia involved. The layered mystery is even more complicated than in the first novel with a surprising amount of action and danger given the fragility of the characters involved. But as engrossing and well-plotted the mystery is, it fades in comparison to the hilarious escapades our favourite elderly crime investigators get themselves into through their ignorance yet sheer determination to be the ones to get to the bottom of it all.
Hercule Poirot, who? If I'd ever get embroiled in a murder investigation, I want Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron on the case.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman is published by Viking (part of Penguin Random House) and you can purchase your copy now from your favourite book shop.
Blog tour stops for 'The Man Who Died Twice' by Richard Osman
This review for 'The Man Who Died Twice' is a part of the official blog tour for the launch of the book. Make sure you check out the other stops!
Disclaimer: This book was gifted to me by the publisher, but this has not impacted this honest review.
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