Thursday murder club

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.

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.

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

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 “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.

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 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.

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

In your opinion rowyn I presume.

In my opinion, I think they are great escapist novels. Maybe people read the first book because it was written by Richard Osman, however, I doubt all four would consistently be at the top of the best seller list if people didn't enjoy them.

The book I read before this one was Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver ( which I highly recommend), so I don't think good (IMO) writers need worry too much about him.

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.

My usual read is Historical Fiction based on real people. Every now and again I like something lighter, especially after a heavier tome. I find Richard Osman's books very entertaining and have enjoyed every one I've read.

I'm with the "Read the first book, didn't enjoy it" crowd. Sadly, he's yet another so called celebrity who sells his name, rather than the books' content.

Good and successful authors who have had to work hard to achieve popularity and sales must curse all these (often rubbish) books , purported to be written by well known names.

HousePlantQueen my mom lived with me the last 18 months of her life she had cancer and dementia. The way he wrote about Stephen ,Richard must have first hand knowledge of a close relative or friend with it. As it was told in such a caring and loving way.

Joyce writes like I do never getting to the point and rambles on. Loved all the characters.

My daughter and I have different tastes in books but she is enjoyed the first 2.

Books like girl on a train,gone girl and time travellers wife I hated. And yet people raved about them .

I have read all the classics but my favourite genre is fantasy which I started to read after my husband died nearly 20 years ago. But I do like Ian Rankin and James Herbert books..

well I am enjoying it! I agree about the sad part, it hits home to those of us who have been through similar and I thought it a sensitive way of telling the story. They are not great works of literature, but enjoyable books and as I read each book, I feel as if I am reunited with the characters.

MaggieMaybe and others have certainly got a point re reading a series of books in series order. I should explain that I was on holiday in France when I bought it and it was the only one of the series in English that they had for sale. Probably ought to stow criticism until I've read at least the first one.

I read the first book but not for me. I couldn't find any humour in it as promised in the blurb and some of the characters were irritating.
I also like the Strike books.

Haven’t read the latest one, still way down the library waiting list.

They are ‘ok’, but nothing special. Don’t take to any of the characters actually, they don’t feel at all real or particularly likeable.

Give me the ‘Strike’ books anyday. Characters you feel you know and care about.

I've enjoyed the first three but yes, it's best to read them in order.

They're a light-hearted change from too much grimness.

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.

It’s a series though, and the core characters are introduced in the first book. We then learn more about their back history and their relationships to each other in books 2 and 3. I don’t think I’d have got into the fourth book at all without having read any of the others.

Bought my first one , the fourth book (oops sounds like a mistake), on holiday recently and am struggling to get into it. Surprised and disappointed as Richard O so likeable and clever
will battle on for a few chapters for Richard's sake.......;
I take Sodapop's point re celeb books but thought Richard O would be different. We'll see....

I’ve read all of them, easy reads and likeable characters.

Of course they do - it would be a funny old world if we all liked the same thing. I wouldn’t say I “love” them, but I’ve read and enjoyed each one, and like the characters and gentle humour. Oddly enough, YorkLady, I thought this latest book was the best of the series.

I tried the first one but didn’t like it and gave up .
So many people I know love all of the books. 🤔