Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

My Thoughts!

(Courtesy of Facebook Group)

Richard Osman's "The Thursday Murder Club" is a happy surprise, a sunny, cheerful cozy with a fast, clever sensibility and agreeably convoluted plot. The premise – a group of older retirees solving murders in their retirement village – is quirky, and it is, but what arises from it is wonderful. Osman avoids the pitfall of relying on age humor only; he creates four distinct and engaging characters whose individual strengths and weaknesses complement each other well to create a surprisingly good investigative team.

Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron are all nicely developed characters with their own perspectives and strengths to contribute to the investigation, never making the tale predictable. Their friendship is poignant and realistic, their arguments quaint. The fellowship of the group is as delightful to read as is the mystery itself unfolding. Osman skillfully blends the lighter and darker aspects of the investigation into a haunting interweave of humor and suspense.

(The Author Richard Osman)

While the mystery itself is not intricate, it's nicely plotted with enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. The pacing of the plot is excellent, keeping a steady flow that keeps the story moving without ever seeming rushed. The setting, the peaceful but unobtrusively fascinating retirement home, is another stroke of charm. It's where secrets are well-kept in the background and unlikely bonds are formed.

But the novel is not without some few drawbacks. Some people might find the pace a little slow at the beginning, since the characters and their relationships are established. Also, while the mystery is engaging, it's not original in its cleverness. But these are few quibbles.

Overall, "The Thursday Murder Club" is a really fun and satisfying read. It's an absolutely superb blend of humor, mystery, and warm-hearted character development. It's a book that you'll find yourself smiling at and wanting to spend more time with these wonderfully eccentric characters. Extremely highly recommended for cozy mystery fans, and anyone looking for a light-hearted but engrossing read.

- 5 ☆☆☆☆☆