January 2023 Group Read: The Bullet That Missed, by Richard Osman

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Happy new year! This is your space to discuss The Bullet That Missed, along with Cherie.

Have a great time!

[fleurette]

I absolutely love this series. Read the second and the third book at the end of the year. I'm really waiting for the discussion.

[Patty]

This will be my first read of the year. I also read the other two.

[Ellen]

Nancy wrote: "Happy new year! This is your space to discuss The Bullet That Missed, along with Cherie.

Have a great time!"

I love this series. This is the 4th in the Thursday Murder club series. the ending will blow your head off.

[J]

I may be wrong but isn't it the third book

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

J wrote: "I may be wrong but isn't it the third book"

That's correct. The 4th is scheduled for publication later this year.

[Cherie]

Hello all, yes The Bullet that Missed is the 3rd book of the series. I treasure this series and try to make it last, but then I look at where I’ve read up to and gasp because I know it’s like a bag of chips, oh no.

[Kim]

I’ve read all three in the series. This is one of my favorite series right now.

[Richard]

All ready to read this third in the series. Enjoyed both the previous ones. Just got to finish off a couple of books.

[Katyayini]

I love, love, love this series! I can’t wait for the next book in the series ♥️

[Phyllis]

I also have read all 3 in this series, and I love the characters, the setting…a joy to read!

[Diane]

i haven't started The series yet and plan to read them all this month

[Jiya]

This is the series that makes me want to retire and live somewhere like Cooper Chase. Love, love this!

[Icewineanne]

Still reading The Man Who Died Twice
Enjoy!

[Patty]

The dry humor in this book is great.

[Aditya]

Can I read this without reading the first two? Will anything major be spoiled?

[Patty]

There may be relationships that form in this book that were not there in the first two.

[Maddie]

Loving the 3rd book; the humour is sprinkled throughout the “darkness!” The relationships between the characters is priceless.
Would definitely recommend reading the first two books to follow the threads

[Aditya]

Patty wrote: "There may be relationships that form in this book that were not there in the first two."

Thanks for the info. I will try to join in later this month.

[Cherie]

Of course you can read read this book without having read the first two books but his books are sooo good that I would read them eventually!

[Patty]

I finished the book and I think it was better than the first two.

[Cherie]

I reread this book gleefully because I had the excuse as I’m the “moderator” of this group and yes, I don’t know how Richard Osman is going to top this third book as I enjoyed it so very much as well!

[Suzy]

I've read all three books and like many, love this series. I want to move to Cooper's Chase! I also thought book 3 was the strongest.
Did anyone else listen to these? The first two were narrated by the great Lesley Manville. When I started this one, I was bummed it wasn't LM, but Fiona Shaw did a good job even if I had to get used to her.

[Lu]

I love this series and every book seems to be better than the last, somehow. I’m not sure how that happens.

Steven Spielberg has brought the movie rights and at the moment is casting the main characters. It is rumoured to be directed by Ol Parker. I am usually disappointed with movie adaptations of books I love. So, I hope I’m not with this.

Since I heard this news I have been trying to image which actors can portray each character. I still haven’t come to a definite conclusion.

Who do you think might make a good Joyce or Elizabeth?

I feel as though if Maggie Smith was a little younger she could make an interesting Elizabeth, but maybe I’m typecasting. Maybe someone like Helena Bonham Carter would be a good choice.

I have hit a blank with Ibrahim. Ron, maybe Robert Carlisle?

Who do you image them to look like?

[Lu]

@Suzy

I listened to them all too and had to get used to Fiona also. It took me a while but I agree she did a good job.

[Patty]

To me, Jeremy Irons could be Ibrahim. Ron: if Bob Hoskins was still alive, I’d pick him.

[Cherie]

Wow, didn’t know this book is being turned into a movie! Spectacular news, I’d have to think about possible actors. Maybe Helen Mirren as Elizabeth? Joyce needs to be played by someone sweet and innocent, yet has a cunning side.

[Cherie]

Just wondering if anyone has read it and did you enjoy it? What are your thoughts?

[Linda]

I finished listening a while back. I thought it was quite good.

[Cherie]

I read all three of the series and then re-read this last book because it was so incredibly great. Who are your favorites? I think I the book wouldn’t be the same without Joyce, she is so much fun! Still can’t figure out which actor would be able to play her. Any ideas?

[Woman Reading]

Aditya wrote: "Can I read this without reading the first two? Will anything major be spoiled?"


I had read the first two but not in their proper sequence. I'm only about 6 chapters in for this one, but I tried to remember what had happened beforehand to explain the presence of secondary characters and their relationships. I'm also expecting that prior knowledge won't be necessary for the mystery plotline.

[Cherie]

You don’t need to know the details of the prior two books to enjoy this one. I certainly loved this one so much that I read it again! My favorite series for sure.

[Suzy]

Just saw book 4, The Last Devil to Die, is coming out Sept 14!

[Cherie]

Oh happy news! I can hardly wait!

[Woman Reading]

My spoiler-free review --


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



I wonder whether book #4 will be set outside of the UK. That could be fun.

[Cherie]

Really enjoyed your review you posted in Goodreads, Woman reading.
If interested here’s my review.

[Cherie]

I relished this third book of the series having thoroughly enjoyed Richard Osman’s Book one, The Thursday Murder Club and Book two, The Man Who Died Twice. The gang is back, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahaim, and Ron, each with a special set of skills for contribution to solving past murders, for which this ten year case involving the murder of a journalist named Bethany Waites is needed. Her car was seen plummeting off a cliff yet her body was never found. Millions go missing. What happened ten years ago? The team has to figure it out, but intertwined with this main story is an ex head of the KGB along with a mysterious villain who kidnapped Elizabeth and Stephen. Just loved how Stephen was able to aid the team in figuring out the identity of the villain. Yes, demented people do have moments of clarity. The intertwining stories flow smoothly with the main one so that we aren’t able to discern any problems. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the fourth one.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Thanks to the club for introducing me to this series! I am starting this book today!

[Suzy]

Book four coming out in September! Set during the Christmas holidays.

[Cherie]

You’re so welcome, “april does feral sometimes” and others. I wasn’t aware of the 4th book until it was mentioned here so thank you all for this.