Thursday murder club

The audio versions are wonderful, I enjoyed listening as much as I enjoyed reading

I was lent the first Richard Osman book, ages ago, by a friend who couldn't get away with it. I couldn't get away with it either and I won't waste time reading a book I'm not enjoying. I'm not a devotee of the Magnus Magnusson "I've started so I'll finish" school of thought!

I seem to remember it was written in the first person narrative style (am I right?) which I've never liked... I gave it back so I can't check.

Tattooedfidelma

The first book was ok but not enjoyable enough to buy the others. Lots of holes in the story! There are many far superior authors who don’t get anywhere near the publicity that Richard Osman gets.

I really feel the same, so many talented authors who don't reach a wider audience, because they don't have a famous name in the public domain. I admit to reading half the first book and couldn't continue, I found it boring,even though the idea of setting the plot amongst a retired community was fairly novel, I still just didn't get its popularity. Maybe they improve further into the series, that's quite possible, but there are too many books and authors I want to read to be bothered to find out. It's not that I don't like the crime genre, because I do, I really enjoy Ann Cleeves, just one example. I remember a Sunday Times book critic refusing to review it because she said the quality of his writing was awful, but then had to write a review of the next one because of the literary sensation it had became, then again 50 Shades broke all records so amazing sales doesn't necessarily equate to a fantastic writing talent.

I “read” them on audiobook and loved consuming them that way.Not sure if I would have sat down to read them. I agree the last was best and the sad bit was well written. I needed a hanky.

I’m currently listening to the first audiobook as a couple of grans recommended it. I’m finding it hard to get into but I will persevere. One problem is I keep falling asleep listening to it and losing my place!

I struggled with this book , but I'll have another attempt at reading it .

I enjoyed the first book but my husband gave up after a few chapters. I will read the other books I find them cheap in a charity shop! My daughter has read all 4 books and enjoyed them.

I didn't finish the first book either as I found the very in depth character descriptions tedious and therefore got bored before the story developed. I was very disappointed as I'd looked forward to reading it. I have wondered if I ought to try again though.

It took me a while to get into the first one (including being horrified at the shocking error of a character visiting Waitrose in Tunbridge Wells when it doesn't have one 😂) but I am glad I persisted. I have thoroughly enjoyed the next three books and thought the event to which the OP refers was very well written.

@ shysal
I didn't enjoy the first one either, so I, too, will not be reading any more

I’ve very recently read the first book which was passed on to me. I enjoyed it. I know it’s not a masterpiece of literature, but I found it engaging enough and an easy read. I will look out for the later ones. We are not all going to like exactly the same books, of course, and sometimes, too, I find a book suits me at a particular time but not another, depending on my mood.

I have read all four and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I find his observations very funny and his characters remind me of people I know. It is good to have easy to read books sometimes.

I read the first one but didn't like the style or find it particularly well written or engaging. We are all different in our taste in books and RO's books are enjoyed by many. However, I feel sorry for struggling authors who see "celebrity" books flying off the shelves. Celebrity and all its attendant publicity is an easy route into being a best seller in today's celeb-obsessed world.

Totally agree with Rowyn - a lot of hype just because he's a celebrity. I thought the first book was such absolutely drivel and so badly written that I never wasted time on the others. If he's so clever surely he knows this himself and I think he is having a laugh at his readers. Can't stand him on 'Pointless' either.

I too gave up on the first one. It was very boring. I like a book to grab me on the first page.

I loved it, and his turn of phrase. Have you tried the 'Slow Horses' series? I believe there is now a TV version of it.

Slow Horses by MickHerron series are fantastic as is the series on Apple TV starring Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. I read TheThursday Murder Club when it first came out. It was very light reading and a bit formulaic in my view.A lot of celebrities are into writing novels, many better writers have to endure rejection after rejection.Not everyone is a good writer.

I think each book was better than the last and book four touched on very important details. I really enjoyed it and would happily live in a residential unit like that .

Well I just picked this book up in our treasure tip shop for 50p, haven't started it yet as I'm working my way through an Edna O'Brian book. I find Richard Osman irritating - only saw him once on Have I Got News for You - that was enough, but thought I would try the book when I saw it buried in the discarded books section - only because it seemed to have good reviews on Amazon, thought it might make a change. :-)

Fabulous book all round - would recommend it to anyone. PS would love to live at Coopers Chase but suspect I'm not the income bracket...

The 'murder mystery' aspect is only a very small part of what's going on. His understanding of later life in England is beyond OK.

Petall, - absolutely IMO.., but t hen I kind of assumed that everyone is expressing their own opinion - it wouldn't be much of a forum, if not.

Susieq62

I think each book was better than the last and book four touched on very important details. I really enjoyed it and would happily live in a residential unit like that .

Yeah me too and am nowhere like old enough to be allowed to live there.😁
Posters may not have liked the plot or the characters but just can’t get away with saying it’s drivel or badly written as it really isn’t.
I loved the books but also love authors such as Kate Atkinson, Anthony Doerr and Barbara Kingsolver, Hilary Mantel and David Mitchell, see what I’m saying here? I wouldn’t read his books if they were badly written.They’re a light easy read while still being well written.And no, am not on his payroll 😆

Susan56

I’ve really enjoyed them all and controversial maybe but preferred them to the Marlow Murder Club😉They are lightweight but sometimes lightweight is what you need.

Totally agree Susan

I battled my way through book one, which I thought was clunky, then ended up with books three and four as presents! DD said she would lend me book two, but I’m not pressing her.