Rating: 4/5
Review:
Very enjoyable
I enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club – more than I expected to, to be
honest. It’s a decent mystery, it’s genuinely witty in places
with some shrewd observation and Richard Osman’s characterisation
is very good.
The story is of a
group of 70- and 80-year-olds in a comfortable retirement village who
meet each week to discuss historical unsolved murders as a hobby,
until they are suddenly in the middle of a real murder investigation.
It sounds pretty well-worn, and the idea of yet more quirky, fiesty
old people wasn’t especially appealing, but Richard Osman writes
very well and paints amusing but very believable portraits of all his
characters. I especially liked the kindness and humanity he shows
toward them, including the two very engaging police officers with
whom the Club becomes involved. It is largely told in the third
person, but there are also diary entries from Joyce, a member of the
Club, who has a delightful and convincing voice. Osman manages to
find a good mix of mystery and the everyday preoccupations of his
protagonists which works very well and never strays into the twee. I
liked little touches like, “...not a single person has ever been
late [for the coach]. Except for Malcolm Weekes who, it turned out,
had died in the lightbulb aisle of Robert Dyas.” Or “‘Would
you like some sherry?’ asks Joyce. ‘It’s only Sainsbury’s,
but it’s Taste The Difference.’”
The plot is
well-constructed with some neat misdirection; I was prepared to
forgive some rather tardy revelations which lead to the solution and
it’s a very enjoyable read. Books by celebrities aren’t always a
success by any means, but this one certainly is. I hope there will
be more from Richard Osman, and I can recommend this warmly.
(My thanks to
Penguin Books for an ARC via NetGalley.)
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