The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman | book review

【 THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB 】

book #1 in the Thursday Murder Club series

Genre: Cosy Crime
Audience: Adult
Author: Richard Osman
Published: September 2020
Publisher: Penguin Books
Pages: 382 (paperback)

So the hype was 100% true and this is probably the best thing you’re going to read for a long, long time. To say I’m obsessed would definitely be an understatement.

I listened to the audiobook version of this and the narration is a 10/10. The voices are brilliant and the characters really come to life – I highly recommend the audiobook. I fell in love with each of the four main characters, but particularly Joyce (didn’t we all?) The cute, funny way they deal with serious events was hilarious. Nothing can ruffle the feathers of those four.

I loved the way you were kept guessing right up until the end (I did not guess right at any point) and how twisty and clever this book is, while still being a cosy crime that feels utterly innocent. There is a fantastic author interview at the end of the audiobook, where Osman is in conversation with Marian Keyes. So much of Marian’s commentary captures the essence of this book so well, and it’s yet another reason why the audiobook is a great choice.

I have jumped straight into the second book, because I couldn’t bear the thought of not being in the world and with these characters. And why would you do anything but reach immediately for the next book in the series when there are 5 to read!?

We need a special mention of the adorable baking/cooking quandaries of Joyce. The way she ping-pongs between oh-so-and-so-was-murdered and I-wonder-if-the-constable-likes-the-cake was so funny. The humour hits perfectly every time in this book.

Nothing but praises to sing for this.