Susan's Reviews > The Thursday Murder Club

If I am being honest, I would normally run a thousand miles from a novel penned by a ‘celebrity,’ but, as I do like Richard Osman, and this looked fun, I thought I would give it a try. Having finished this, I am pleased – and perhaps relieved – that I really enjoyed it.

The Thursday Murder Club are a group of residents at the Coopers Chase Retirement Village, who meet to discuss unsolved murders. They began with Elizabeth and Penny, who was an Inspector in the Kent police, and access to unsolved case files. Now Penny is in the attached Care Home, and Elizabeth has Ibrahim, a psychiatrist, and Ron Ritchie, former trade union leader and father of boxer, Jason, on board. Ibrahim is urbane and handsome, Ron is more volatile and impatient (‘You know Arthur Scargill once told me to be patient? Arthur Scargill!). There is also new member, Joyce, a former nurse, who is approached by Elizabeth and invited – or recruited – to the group.

Of course, before long the group have a real murder to solve. They involve PC Donna De Freitas, who wanders in to give a talk to the elderly residents and comes under Elizabeth’s eagle eye, and overweight, poorly dressed, DCI Chris Hudson. DCI Hudson is no match for the Thursday Murder Club and the scene where he interviews a fragile Ron Ritchie, only to meet him again, seemingly recovered, is excellently done.

This is a charming mystery and what makes it really work are the characters. They are elderly, and all too aware of the Care Home and what can unfold as memories fail and the body becomes frailer, but they are all keen to use their wits and intelligence and are more than capable of using their age to their advantage. Osman treats his characters with respect and care; he understands the sorrow of losing a partner, the pride in children and the joy in different periods of life. As well as poignancy, Osman is also capable of really clever, humorous dialogue, and this was a really funny read. I am hoping this becomes a series as I loved it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.