Richard Osmon's newest book - We Solve Murders'

I have just finished listening to We Solve Murders on Audible. Brilliantly read, narrator really made you engage with the characters. Enjoyed the book but not sure I'd have enjoyed it as much if I had just read it. Listened to it in roughly hour long chunks while ironing/cooking/sewing etc. Love my Alexa for this facility. Will get his next one on Audible.

Kandinsky

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

You and me both.

I found it to be quite dreadful. Amazed that Stephen Spielberg thought it worthy enough to be made into a film.

Not for me. I read half the first one and tried again as I heard good reviews but no it didn’t hold my interest.

Netflix obviously saw something in the first book that I missed 🤷‍♀️
These are the main characters.

I really like Richard Osman but I just cannot get into his books even though I am an enthusiastic reader. Perhaps it's me, but I just don't like them. Sorry Richard.

I have read all the Thursday Murder Club books, found them easy and light entertainment during a stressful time when I didn’t want anything too heavy

Haven’t read We Solve Murders yet, will get round to it when my tbr pile decreases.

Luckygirl3

Thought you might be interested in my review of his third book in the series, which I think was the best. I was, as I said disappointed in the latest which I have not managed to finish.

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
There are two central conceits in this the most recent episode in the witty Thursday Murder Club Mysteries series – that a group of respectable pensioners in their retirement village could become sleuths, unfazed by mayhem, drug-dealing and murder – and that the dealers and killers are just everyday respectable folk, steeped in domesticity, moving to areas where there are good schools, proud to have a “son get into the Royal Ballet.”

There is so much more to this novel than a whodunnit. The wry humour is present in every line, and the language is a delight. He is a master of “show don’t tell”, allowing the reader to glean the personalities of the protagonists obliquely – the list of Christmas presents that the group shared tells us all there is to know about both givers and receivers.

But what stands out in this book is Osman’s touching, sensitive and perceptive approach to ageing, and to the sad descent into dementia of the highly intellectual husband of Elizabeth, the nominal group leader and former spy.
“But, however much life teaches you that nothing lasts, it is still a shock when it disappears. When the man you love with every fibre starts returning to the stars, an atom at a time.”

I can do no better than append some quotes from this rich novel in the hope that these will tempt you to partake:

“Days of death are days when we weigh our relationship with love in our bare hands. Days when we remember what has gone, and fear what is to come. The joy love brings, and the price we pay. When we give thanks but also pray for mercy.”

“Mankind finds futility very hard to stomach. People find all sorts of things to give their brief lives meaning. Religion, football, astrology, social media. Valiant efforts all, but everyone knows, deep, deep down, that life is both a random occurrence and a losing battle. None of us will be remembered. These days will all be covered, in time, by the sands.”

“That’s the thing about Coopers Chase. You’d imagine it was quiet and sedate, like a village pond on a summer’s day. But in truth it never stops moving, it’s always in motion. And that motion is ageing, and death, and love, and grief, and final snatched moments and opportunities grasped. The urgency of old age. There’s nothing that makes you feel more alive than the certainty of death.”

“There comes a point when you look at your photograph albums more often than you watch the news. When you opt out of time, and let it carry on doing its thing while you get on with yours. You simply stop dancing to the beat of the drum.”

“There is only so much reading you can do, so many cups of tea you can make, before the loneliness crowds in around you. You breathe it in, you cry it out, and the clock ticks slowly, slowly …….”

That’s a really good revue, so well done you😃good book reviewing isn’t easy.
Must say I loved those four books, yes they are easy reading and yet… so much is either explained or hinted at under the surface it’s really profound in places.He’s definitely a very good writer.
I haven’t read the latest different sort of book but will get round to it when I have time.

Doh! Review not revue🤬

I have to say I’m surprised at so many negative reviews of the Thursday Murder Club series. I loved them and am looking forward to the film. Elizabeth had to be played by Helen Mirren! I’m not fazed by Richard Osman being famous; I find him to be a very clever writer. However, I’m probably influenced by the fact that my own Mum lives in a retirement apartment - she has a better social life than I have!
I don’t subscribe to Audible - I borrow audiobooks free of charge from our library. The only downside is that there is usually a delay before the popular titles become available. I’ve reserved ‘We Solve Murders’ to borrow in March, so I’ll have to withhold my opinions until then.
In the meantime I’m listening to the Hawthorne detective series by Anthony Horowitz. He’s such a prolific writer! The character of Hawthorne reminds me of Cormoran Strike (J.K. Rowling). Both loners, both have a back story!

TiggyW.

We all like different books, but
I was relieved to find on this thread that it wasn’t just me who didn’t like them.
I like Richard Osman on TV but I found his writing tedious.

Nothing to do with the fame of the author, except that that was probably the reason for so much hype.

Luckygirl3 Great review. I read The Thursday Murder Club books quite a while ago and you reminded me of how much more there is to them than the implausible plots!

I don’t think ‘We Solve Murders* is quite the same but it’s still very enjoyable hokum.

TiggyW

I’m also a fan of the Hawthorne books by Anthony Horowitz.

And have just read his three James Bond books, enjoyed them also.

Now he is a writer.

handbaghoarder

I too gave up early on the very first book and havent bothered with it since and generally agree about celebrity authors. But has anyone read Rev Richard Coles’ short series of Canon Clement mysteries ? Love them and believe being made into a tv series?

Yes, have read these also.

Thought the first one really good, the second and third not as much.

Look forward to the tv version though.

Just finished ‘We Solve Murders’.

It’s easy to see it was written by the same author of the Thursday Murder Club books.

No more impressed than I was with them.

Characters unengaging, highly improbable plot, just rather silly.

Looks like there are more to come in the series though.

I listened to We Solve Murders on Audible and I loved it! I found myself being very sad when it was coming to an end, and really enjoyed the narrator and her gift for different voices. It is definitely not very believable, but I don't think it is supposed to be. There is plenty of humour, lots of plot twists, and I would recommend it! Still haven't managed to finish reading the first Thursday murder club book I picked up at the airport years ago.

I tried to read the first one and got about a third the way through before I gave up. I couldn't get into it at all!
I hear they are making a film from it, so maybe that will be better.

I liked his first book, disappointed with the second so wont be reading him again.

I don’t rate him or his books.

Why the obsession with reading about murders? Isn't there enough war and violence in the world already?
Don't tell me it's escapism please...

Yes I agree Primrose, in fact I get sick of well known personalities using their celebrity to get their mediocre stuff published, there are so many fantastic writers out there who have to struggle to get a fraction of RO's recognition.

Crime is the most well read genre, so obviously it resonates with many and yes it is a form of escapism. I think often the appeal is in the "who dunnit" and the why aspect, Agatha Christie probably coined that more than any other crime writer. I remember reading through her works as a teenager, and almost couldn't bear to stop myself from reading the final outcome on the last few pages before I actually got there. I also think the police procedural part of some crime books keep the reader interested rather than the grisly murders.

I've just started reading Anthony Horowitz's third book in his Atticus Pund series, unlike RO, he is a very accomplished crime writer.

Have now read We Solve Murders and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I like many genres of books and different author styles but light reading, amusing, serious, horrifying, my only criteria is that they’re well written.
Osman’s books are in my view.

I like Richard Osman's books but the Rev Richard Coles shouldn't have bothered trying his hand at authoring. His books are dire.

I started reading the first book and gave up - I felt it was very badly written. I gave it to my neighbour, who boasts he has never given up on a book - took him 2 years to finish it! Has told me never to give him a book by this person ever again!

Enjoyed Thursday Murder Club books. Got a bit samey by 4th one but agree with Luckygirl3. I found much of the writing, sensitive, perceptive and quite moving. I think he is a good writer but possibly “dumbs it down” to appeal to wider audience. Latest book is hard to get into. Rather puerile and story is daft. Will persevere. Osman is quite mature but I wonder if he is still finding himself as a writer - or maybe just interested in churning out pot boilers! I feel he is capable of something more meaningful!