Book Short
The Thursday Murder Club
By Richard Osman
Review By Stephanie Miller
In “The Thursday Murder Club” four friends in a peaceful retirement village in a small town in England meet weekly to discuss unsolved crimes. They seem innocent. Neighbors smile indulgently upon them.
Do not be fooled. They are actually quite clever sleuths, adept at using their septuagenarian charms to get what they want, and skillful at staying focused while manipulating everyone from television personalities to local police officers to their own adult children over several glasses of luncheon wine. They turn their age into an asset – so many people overlook seniors. Plus, it helps that they consider legal behavior no more than a general guideline.
In short, these four are a delight to spend time with. Author Richard Osman has created a detective series with the most unlikely but absolutely likable set of crime solvers. In addition to sharing a beautiful friendship, these four are kind and generous people.
The Cast
There is Ron, an infamous former labor union agitator, who still likes to cause trouble. There is Joyce, a gentle and kind widow with insatiable curiosity and a yearning for romance. Turns out, she is more astute than she seems. Ibrahim is a former psychologist with a deep understanding and respect of the darker side of human nature. And there is no-nonsense Elizabeth, whose mysterious past provides connections to all kinds of intelligence, information, and informants.
The Series
In the first book, titled “The Thursday Murder Club,” a local developer is found dead. In the second, “The Man Who Died Twice,” several mysteries loop around each other and the club uses all their unorthodox ingenuity to trap a ruthless murderer — and reclaim a stash of stolen diamonds. With the most recent release this spring, “The Bullet that Missed,” an old pal of Elizabeth’s joins in as they try to solve the strange and tragic disappearance of a young local journalist and uncover an international financial espionage ring. Joyce hilariously (and lucratively) learns about cryptocurrency.
Because the gang is unofficial, we meet two local police detectives who inadvertently find themselves assisting, all while suffering dangerous surprises when the Club uses their wily tricks to trap the murderers. The detectives would find this all very funny if it wasn’t so deadly. A partnership of equal parts trust and incredulity grows between them.
The Review
The characters of The Thursday Murder Club are delightful and relentless in the pursuit of justice and happiness for all. They are guileless, but also impossible to beguile. There is humor and heart in these fast moving and engaging stories. I recommend starting at the beginning. You will soon join me and legions of fans clamoring for the next installment.
Micro Shorts
The Husband’s Secret, by Liane Moriarty
Talk about character development! Liane Moriarty is a master of everyday intrigue, where ordinary people are challenged in extraordinary situations. In this bestseller, it seems every husband, and most of the wives, have a secret. The question is, what is the moral, loving, and appropriate way to deal with the fallout? This book moves so quickly, you’ll want to have a few chapters more to savor the beautiful twists and turns, and to spend more time with these flawed but good-hearted (with a few exceptions!) people.
Fates and Furies, by Lauren Groff
This is two books in one, as the story of one awesome romance is told first by him and then by her. Their perspectives and secret lives diverge in significant ways, making you question the veracity of their love. The characters are tightly but boldly written with what often seems a battle of ambitions, with arrogance, cruelty, selfishness, love, friendship, loyalty, and humor all speckling the canvas in a constantly shifting portrait. Stick with it – as the beginning is a bit slow, and the characters are all rather unlikable – because the dynamic of their intertwining lives quickly becomes fascinating and compelling. This best selling author got mixed reviews for this one, but I found much of the writing as beautiful as poetry.
Manhattan Beach, by Jennifer Egan
Years after Anna Kerrigan’s father abandons her, remnants of his business connections pop up during her work at the Brooklyn Naval Yard as the first female diver. She starts to realize that her father’s “work” was more complex than her younger self understood. With the feel of a noir thriller, Anna’s bold choices propel her toward dangerous situations in a fast-moving plot that captures a transformative time in American history. It’s a multi-layered treat, as there is civilian-side war life mixed with workplace harassment and peppered with some of the most beautiful and unexpected friendships. Read it slowly to savor the depth of the story, if you can!
