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Richard Osmon's newest book - We Solve Murders'

(80 Posts)
Franbern Thu 16-Jan-25 11:37:13

I will admit that Osmon's Murder Club book 1 really appealed to me (I would say here,that due to failing eyesight, 'reading' a book for me means listening on Audible.)
I do not live in a retirement village (Beyond my means), but the lovely block of flats I do live in, nearly all people who have retired- is similar and it was good to find a book about people of my sort of age.

Got book 2 on pre-order - enjoyed it, maybe no quite so much, same with book 3. By the time it got to book 4 felt is was just the same story being repeated.

So, when he announced he was writing a completely new book was quite excited. 'We Solver Murders' it is called. Have to say with CJ Sanson's sad death earlier last year, I forgot about this, as I re-read (heard), all of that wonderful series again. So, it was only this week I was looking into my audible library to see what to hear and found this book.

As about half way through and still very little idea as to what it is about. Definitely nothing to do with the world I live in. (Not that I am opposed to a little bit of fantasy - but this is not even that!!!).

Reading reviews I discover that this is probably the authors attempt at appealing to a much younger readership. It is all about, what is known as 'influencers'.

ANyone else reading, has read this. I just cannot get any feeling for any of the characters, even those that the author is obviously preparing to be central to future books. If you ask me what has happened so far in this book, all I know is that lots of characters have been killed, no idea why - not even interested.
Will probably finish hearing it - but not surprised that i saw the book in my local Waterstones, at half price!!!

Kandinsky Thu 16-Jan-25 12:01:00

I’ve never really understood the hype with his murder club books. I gave up on the 1st one half way through.

Tootsy Thu 16-Jan-25 12:06:53

I loved the previous Richard Osman books and loved all the characters in the retirement village. I was really looking forward to reading 'we solve murders'. My housebound library service delivered it to me, I have never given up on reading a book before but I am sorry to say this one had me stumped. I got half way through and gave up. I am sad that it was nowhere as good as the Thursday Murder Club books.

Jaxjacky Thu 16-Jan-25 12:08:23

I enjoyed it, an easy read and new characters.
I don’t want to give anything away, but none of the ‘murder solvers’ are influencers, at least that’s not how I read it.

Indigo8 Thu 16-Jan-25 12:08:52

I bought the first book from a charity shop and read it. I do not intend to read any of the subsequent books.

I have found that, usually, books by celebs are disappointing.

TerriBull Thu 16-Jan-25 12:15:18

I read half of his first book before I lobbed it. I don't admire him as an author, my perception has achieved succes by virtue of his celebrity. I appreciate books are subjective, but I think the general consensus is he's not that good, there are so many truly talented writers who almost go unnoticed. I doubt whether I'd bother with any of his books again.

mumski Thu 16-Jan-25 12:23:49

I stuck with it and came to like the main characters. Looking forward to the next in the series.

JamesandJon33 Thu 16-Jan-25 12:55:06

The hype about his books is about his ‘fame’ and nothing to do with his writing.

Calendargirl Thu 16-Jan-25 13:05:40

I’ve read all the Thursday Murder Club books, but not impressed.

Don’t warm to any of the characters.

Have got this one on order from the library, as were all the others, am now about 50th on the waiting list.

The delay doesn’t worry me!

keepingquiet Thu 16-Jan-25 13:08:06

I'm with those who say books by celebrities are to be looked at as mere money making exercises.

I haven't read it and have no intention of doing so.

I prefer books by writers.

Greyduster Thu 16-Jan-25 13:49:59

I read book one, and half way through book two, lost interest. The characters were tedious. Then I was given another two as presents which lay - and will continue to lay - unread until I remember to take them to the charity shop.

JamesandJon33 Thu 16-Jan-25 14:57:42

‘Thank you, and well said’ From a writer 😘

Poodledelight Thu 16-Jan-25 15:04:28

Oh, I had no idea that C J Sansom had died. Read so many of his books and loved them all. Can't say I've read any of Richard Osman's books (only one Kindle sample - and it didn't appeal at all).

NonGrannyMoll Thu 16-Jan-25 15:14:53

When celebs are taken on by publishers who just see the earning possibilities of using a big name on the spine, the quality of the writing can be a problem (in fact, many books allegedly "by" a celeb are actually ghost-written by a more talented writer, whose name we tend not to see). I've heard the old saying "there's a novel inside every one of us", which may well be right (I doubt it, but you never know). But when it comes to a second, third, fourth, etc, it's very often the case that the one novel is literally just that - one book, there ain't no more! I'm not speaking of Richard Osman specifically because I haven't read anything by him (from reviews, I think his stuff isn't really my thing).

mabon1 Sat 18-Jan-25 11:50:18

Same here, over-rated.

knspol Sat 18-Jan-25 11:51:10

Read all of them, loved the first one made me want to live in a similar place. 2nd and third not so good but hate to not read to the end of a book. Also read the last one and can't remember anything about it which probably says it all!

Ziplok Sat 18-Jan-25 12:16:39

I’ve enjoyed them so far - easy reads. Not read “We solve murders” though.
If your hoping for something in depth and challenging, then these books are not really what you would be looking for, in my view, but if you want to read something that doesn’t tax the brain too much but is enjoyable then give them a try.

Septimia Sat 18-Jan-25 12:24:33

I don't much like him - find him a bit creepy - so don't read his books on principle. Don't read Jeffrey Archer, either...

Mind you, I read a lot of books and I'm not sure that I'd like all the authors if I knew them. Perhaps it's as well that I don't or I'd be stuck for reading matter!

rowyn Sat 18-Jan-25 12:44:41

I'm with Kandinsky et al.... I got his first book as a Christmas present and was really looking forward to it, but was TOTALLY disappointed. Infantile language, poor plot and no feeling of being drawn into the characterisation.
Never again!

It really annoys me that Osman is using his popularity as a TV personality to make money out of poorly scripted, and poorly plotted rubbish.

(But a little tiny voice in my head, whispers - 'well wouldn't you do the same if given the opportunity?')

clairefraser1 Sat 18-Jan-25 12:47:01

I read this having enjoyed his other books but was sadly disappointed. I didn't like the characters very much. Hopefully he will go back to the Thursday Murder Club characters.

Eddieslass Sat 18-Jan-25 12:56:00

Like a lot of others have said, I read his first book but didn’t enjoy it enough to read any others. I have just finished, and really enjoyed, “Sold!”, the autobiography of Charlie Ross from Bargain Hunt. Not sure if he’s considered a Celebrity, but it’s a great read. He seems an extremely knowledgable and friendly gentleman.

ninamoore Sat 18-Jan-25 13:09:06

I agree with Kandinsky. There are many authors whose writing is far superior to Osman’s. He’s riding in the glory of his TV job.

sodapop Sat 18-Jan-25 13:11:26

Like indigo I usually find books written by celebrities are disappointing. Osman is no exception.

GrauntyHelen Sat 18-Jan-25 13:32:27

I enjoyed all the Thursdày murder club books I'm not enjoying his new book Too many characters and none I care about

JdotJ Sat 18-Jan-25 13:38:50

GrauntyHelen

I enjoyed all the Thursdày murder club books I'm not enjoying his new book Too many characters and none I care about

I agree