June Group Read - The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

[Bionic Jean]

Our group read for June is The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman.

This is the second in his series about the "Thursday Murder Club", which is set in a peaceful retirement village, where four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. We really enjoyed the first one The Thursday Murder Club ... and now a film of it has just been released!

Who's in for this one?

[Bionic Jean]

Does anyone have a copy already?

[Bionic Jean]

We begin this today! And the film of the first one is out here now - or soon I think 🙂

[Jackie]

I think I ordered it from my library but can't check this morning since their website seems to be down

[Kelly]

I haven't read the first book, so checked it out from work today. I'm not sure I'll get to book two this month, but this gives me a reason to get into this series!

[Bionic Jean]

I'm going to be chasing along afterwards with my audio book I think, but definitely want to read this one!

[Luffy Sempai]

@Jean What's your policy about spoilers in this thread?

[Bionic Jean]

Use the spoiler tags for any obvious plot spoilers please, as we only have one thread.

[Luffy Sempai]

So I went into this series blind. I knew the barest of info about it. And so far, I'm 10 chapters in and it is a very good book. I already can forgive the author if the mystery turns our to be a cop out. For me, this book is the best one selected in a group read.

[Bionic Jean]

That's brilliant Luffy! I'm so pleased. I did enjoy the first one - I think most of us here did 🙂

[Jackie]

I haven't ordered it so I won't be joining in. I meant to, but I just bought a house and am moving in 3 weeks and really, really distracted so hardly reading at all. Also, I haven't read the first one (I don't think?) so probably want to read that one first.

Sorry, Jean, it does look good.

[Bionic Jean]

Aw take your time Jackie, and the best of luck with your move!

I'm pretty sure they are stand-alones, but yes, a good idea to start with the first one and meet the quirky characters - and anyway it's a great read!

[Luffy Sempai]

Bionic Jean wrote: "That's brilliant Luffy! I'm so pleased. I did enjoy the first one - I think most of us here did 🙂"

Plus I had been on a massive reading slump that has lasted for months. I can't stress how much I'm savouring our group read.

[Luffy Sempai]

I don't know what that says about me but when (view spoiler)[The 3 rally around Ibrahim at the hospital (hide spoiler)] I cried a little. No laughing at the back!

[Bionic Jean]

When you get back into reading somehow that first book you enjoy feels really special. I'm so pleased this one works for you Luffy. And there's no shame in tears! Anything that can move a reader so much has to be a good read, doesn't it? 🙂

[Luffy Sempai]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Anything that can move a reader so much has to be a good read, doesn't it? 🙂"

It does. The chapter in question gave me the same vibes as my favourite anime, from which the 'Luffy' name is borrowed.

[Bionic Jean]

Wow!

[Bionic Jean]

How's this read going?

[Debbie]

I’ve read The Last Devil to Die, The Bullet that Missed, and am currently reading The Man Who Died Twice, and We Solve Murders. All Osman’s book’s I’ve read or are reading are stand alone books, and not having read the first in the series, or necessarily read them in order of publication, has not diminished my understanding or great enjoyment of the books in any way.

[Luffy Sempai]

I have read it finally. It was a slight let down. The book is too long and its impact gets lost, like I mentioned in my review.

[Bionic Jean]

Debbie wrote: "All Osman’s book’s I’ve read or are reading are stand alone books ..."

That's useful to know Debbie, thank you!

Sorry it wasn't for you in the end, Luffy.

[Ken]

Here are my thoughts on “The Man Who Died Twice.” I was especially interested to read this book (see the Author Promotions section) and overall found it very entertaining. The characters held my interest, and I found myself caring for them and wanting them to succeed. I had a bit of trouble with the relationship between the local police and the group but perhaps that is explained in the first novel which I haven’t read. But setting that aside, I thought it was a good read. The level of humor was good and provided some contrast to the darker aspects of the story. I felt the author did a great job capturing the life aspects of the senior citizens (of which I am one). I look forward to reading a couple of additional books by this author.

[Bionic Jean]

Great overview, thanks Ken! I think you'd probably enjoy the first one in the series next: The Thursday Murder Club. When I read it there was an interview with the author Richard Osman afterwards, and he said that he has a lot of admiration for the generation he writes about, as they can have an independence of thought that those earlier or later do not seem to have.

[Luffy Sempai]

Bionic Jean wrote: "as they can have an independence of thought that those earlier or later do not seem to have."

The 80s were a very harsh school of life for those involved.

[Donna]

I wish I had read book 1 first. There is much to know about these characters and I felt a bit behind, not fully understanding the past and dynamics. The plot is clever and well crafted and the story moves well. The conclusion is satisfying and justice is served. Perhaps not Osman’s best but it still includes interesting psychological insights. There is a sense that this is an evil old world and it takes friends and savoire faire to survive.

[Bionic Jean]

Donna wrote: "I wish I had read book 1 first ..."

Oh I'm sorry about that Donna. I assumed they would be stand-alones. Well at least you can read the others as he writes them, if you like.

Thank you for your useful thoughts! 😊

[Bionic Jean]

Archiving this one, but please add any extra thoughts at any time, as it will remain open.