Richard Osman's House of Games / The Thursday Murder Club

by Richard Osman, Alan Connor

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

An English television presenter, producer, director, and novelist.

Reviews

[Kirstie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I knew the characters by the end of this book. I just want to walk into Coopers Chase and join the Thursday Night Murder Club- mostly for the cake and quick witted remarks of Ibrahim and Ron!
A great, captivating and funny book.

[MR C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and very very amusing, loved it.

Have already preordered follow up book.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, fun, humorous whodunnit. “Don’t mess with wily seniors” – especially when they have backgrounds and interesting friends and families that are slowly revealed when and IF they want.

Setting is a peaceful retirement village, Cooper’s Chase, where church has sold this beautiful Kent country property for this purpose--chapel and nun’s quarters, including 20 llamas. Church sold to Ventham & he allowed the developer, Tony Curran 25% to convert the nun’s cells into up-scale-living quarters in this residential for-(nice-)profit retirement community. There is land enough for 2 more developments and that's what starts the trouble: the 2nd development will dig up the cemetary full of nuns and take out the trees.
The Club boasts only 4 “CHARACTERS” (in every sense of that word): Elizabeth is the organizer/leader; Red Ron is an infamous former socialist firebrand; Ibrihim, retired psychiatrist; Joyce, retired nurse, is “go-along with Elizabeth”–often underestimated by her own design.
PC (police constable?) Donna is bored at her "real" job, so Elizabeth & Joyce easily talk her into helping their club. HOW?, Donna wonders. The lead on investigation hasn't chosen her for his team.
DCI Chris, Donna’s superior, is lead on case, now cleverly coerced into inviting Donna’s help by Ibrihim and Red Ron using Ron's son as bait. Jason is a “person of interest” to police, a famous former boxer. More murders occur and the 4 are thrilled to be involved as is Donna--they and the Club exchanging info. It occurs to DCI Chris that this is unconventional and might land him in trouble: in which case for the hearing, he’ll just let Elizabeth “work her magic.” He realizes that both he and Donna like these people, enjoy them, while benefiting from their help.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. The writing, the characters, the story - all kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. A retirement village, four people meet on Thursday’s to solve cold cases. One of the members was a former police woman who saved all the cold case files to look over during retirement. Unfortunately, she (Penny) had a stroke and was hospitalized. Joyce replaced Penny; Ron, Ibrahim and Elizabeth make up the four. All had interesting occupations so each brings a unique past to the table. A local developer was murdered; old bones are unearthed that show the person was murdered approximately 50 years ago; missing people — all connected. The discussions by the four made me LOL - I could picture this as a movie with Betty White as Joyce. Really enjoyed this book even more so since I live in a retirement community.

[Sian Pinnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read with twists and turns completely unexpected. Style moves from logical to scatty , just like me. Quick and easy pace.Looking forward to the next one!

[Brónagh Ní Chuilinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It’s well written, funny in a way I didn’t expect from a murder mystery, and the characters are great company. The humor gave the story a different feel from the usual crime novels I’ve read, and it kept me guessing right up to the end.

That said, I did find the story dragged on a bit at times. There were moments where I felt it could have been tighter, but I was still invested enough to keep going.

Overall, it’s a clever, witty mystery that’s both entertaining and different. I’ve never read a murder story that made me laugh before, and that alone makes it worth recommending.

[Dramatika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not my cup of tea! I found the book boring, the characters too pretty for the real life elderly, too many men for onw thing! Very few people actually can do all kinds of things described here, even if one assume they are such wonderful healthy ones. Especially the former spy who are we supposed to like, evil is as evil is always, even in okd age. Abd spies are just evil. All the characters are very off putting to say the least. Took me a long time to finish.

[Lynn Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this second book, love reading it through Joyce, we all know someone like Joyce.
Looking forward to the third. Also really enjoyed the quiz at the end. Our family started doing a monthly quiz during lockdown, like many others, but we have continued. It’s kept us in contact with family members we wouldn’t normally see.
Thank you Richard.

[Tim Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely did not know who the murders were going to be till they were revealed to me as the story progressed and if nothing else that would make me like this book. What made me love it was the dynamic between the group, I could read scene after scene of them sitting around eating cake if it came down to it.

[Sarah Allott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming little mystery book, full of twists and turns. I thought I’d been clever and cracked it halfway through but I was surprised by the ending. I’ll definitely be searching out the second one when it’s released.. and looking forward to the inevitable TV series.

[Hannah Otty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in an afternoon. Very enjoyable, been in a reading rut so this helped me snap out of it. Predictable plot to some extent however a wonderful take on life and what it means to grow old. I may have shed strictly one tear. Not incredible writing but full of heart.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just found no meaning in keeping on reading this book after the first 20ish pages. Maybe it was just a bad translation (I had the book in Greek) or not... Meaningless, totally uninteresting reading.

[Lana Whitbread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was split between giving this a 3 or 4 star review however, the ending really sealed the 4 stars for me. This was different to my usual genre because even though it’s based around a murder (well, two actually), it follows 4 elderly characters living in a care home following the case. It’s lighthearted and comical yet mysterious and provoking too. I really enjoyed the whole set up and it’s something more quirky and new. Sometimes storylines can feel over done and very similar but this was a breath of fresh air. Overall an enjoyable read and I will seek out the follow up in due course

[Bekha Youmans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! So witty and funny. A group of old age pensioners solving modern day murders you couldn’t get any better. Havnt laughed so much with a book in ages.

[Ruth Croucher · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book expecting it to grip me more given the hype but it kept me interested enough.

[Nix Ur Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s slow but the ending is quite satisfying

Bodgan is totally my fav character

[Beth Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Pre-ordered the second one. Would thoroughly recommend!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully well written, and full of surprise and delight. I laughed, I cried and did most of the bits in between. Can’t wait to get stuck into the next one. Congratulations Richard!

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful read. A proper whodunnit, bedded in a gloriously funny and kind hearted tale, with a few murders thrown in for good measure. A salve for the soul.

[Gayle Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was a pleasant read, nothing too earth shattering but enough twists to keep me interested. Good characters too. I’m sure I’ll read the next one in the series l

[Rochelle Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought The Thursday Murder Club was excellent. I laughed and cried out loud. Very poignant and a good mystery as well. Look forward to reading the next one.

[Katie Trory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I listened to the audiobook and would highly recommend it was brilliant can’t wait to read more of Richard Osman’s books.

[Victoria Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not normally read mysteries/crime novels- but this one was soooo enjoyable! The subtle humor and twists and turns were fantastic. Highly recommend.

[G.G. Calpo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging characters. Loved Ron and Joyce, and couldn't help but cheer Elizabeth on, despite her bossiness.

[Joanna Oddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really funny, anything set in a retirement home with a bunch meddling pensioners always was going to be! I love all of the twists throughout the story but just felt it was a bit slow in parts.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's definitely not a crime thriller. Its a nice wee easy read