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The Thursday Murder Club Hardcover – 22 September 2020
Richard Osman (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
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"Witty, endearing and greatly entertaining." --Wall Street Journal
"Don't trust anyone, including the four septuagenarian sleuths in Osman's own laugh-out-loud whodunit." --Parade
Four septuagenarians with a few tricks up their sleeves
A female cop with her first big case
A brutal murder
Welcome to...
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.
When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case.
As the bodies begin to pile up, can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it's too late?
- Print length368 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPamela Dorman Books
- Publication date22 September 2020
- Dimensions15.6 x 3.18 x 23.67 cm
- ISBN-101984880969
- ISBN-13978-1984880963
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Review
"Witty, endearing and greatly entertaining."
--Wall Street Journal
"An amusing debut that finds gold in getting older."
--People
"Don't trust anyone, including the four septuagenarian sleuths in Osman's own laugh-out-loud whodunit."
--Parade
"Funny, clever, and compelling. Mystery fans are going to be enthralled."
--Harlan Coben, #1New York Times bestselling author ofThe Boy from the Woods
"A little beacon of pleasure in the midst of the gloom. . . SUCH FUN!"
--Kate Atkinson, #1New York Timesbestselling author ofBig Sky
"Charming, funny, and ultimately, surprisingly, very moving."
--Linwood Barclay, New York Timesbestselling author ofFind You First
"I don't know how to do this brilliant book justice. Diabolically clever, very funny, highly entertaining--utterly delightful. I completely fell in love with it. I need more of The Thursday Murder Club!"
--Shari Lapena, New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Couple Next Door
"Loved every word. Loved the fleet, nimble plotting, as ingenious as top-shelf Agatha Christie; loved the boisterous cast of characters--think Fredrik Backman; loved the crisp, witty, Carl Hiaasen-caliber dialogue... yet above all, I love The Thursday Murder Club for its psychological texture, emotional depth, and luminous, fireside warmth. What a generous novel. Readers of Louise Penny and Kate Atkinson, rejoice.
--A. J. Finn, #1New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Woman in the Window
"Suspenseful, funny, and poignant. The delightful, spirited characters from this witty, sometimes bittersweet story deserve a return engagement."
--Booklist (starred review)
"An imaginative and witty whodunit... Osman's careful attention to the realities of life in a retirement village ensures that The Thursday Murder Club is a compassionate, thoughtful tribute to a segment of the population that's often dismissed and ignored... Great fun."
--BookPage(starred review)
"The character-driven mystery, featuring a group of sleuths all too aware of their own mortality, and a likable pair of cops, is suspenseful, funny, and poignant... The delightful, spirited characters from this witty, sometimes bittersweet story deserve a return engagement."
--Library Journal (starred review)
"Osman mixes mirth and murder in his exceptional debut. . . witty."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A fascinating primer in detection... A top-class cozy infused with dry wit and charming characters who draw you in and leave you wanting more, please."
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A rather beguiling piece of work, reading like Kingsley Amis's The Old Devils refracted through an Agatha Christie prism... The ageing protagonists are a winning bunch, and Osman's skills have already led to greenlighting of further outings for his sleuths."
--Financial Times
"A sparkling debut... Fiendishly clever and brilliantly funny."
--Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Witty... The characters and the writing are a treat... Everyone in the central quartet, especially the two women, are more complex than they originally seem, and while the tone is predominantly light and funny, Osman finds some moments of sweet poignancy."
--Seattle Times
"With wry British humor, and a cast of intrepid retirees, Richard Osman's delightful mystery caper offers surprising depth... The wit and the plot will bring readers back for more of this series."
--The Christian Science Monitor
"As the bodies pile up, and more is revealed of the lives and loves of Joyce, Ibrahim, Ron and Elizabeth, you can't help cheering them on--and hoping to meet them again soon."
--The Times(UK)
"A witty and poignant tale."
--The Daily Telegraph (UK)
"One of the most enjoyable books of the year. . . well-written, hilarious, and joyously big-hearted. . . The charm of The Thursday Murder Club is that it's so much more than a crime novel."
--The Daily Express(UK)
"Brilliant, smart, charming, and wryly funny."
--Good Housekeeping(UK)
"So smart, so funny, so warm, and such a wonderful mystery. If we're lucky Richard Osman will keep these characters alive forever."
--Caroline Kepnes, New York Times bestselling author of You
"So smart and funny. Deplorably good."
--Ian Rankin, New York Timesbestselling author ofWestwind
"Grinning like a monkey having just finished The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Loved its clever, clever plot, great gags, Ealing comedy set ups and Elizabeth. Can't say more but I want to be her one day..."
--Fiona Barton, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow
"A rich, textured, twisted, and fabulously funny tale of murder and mayhem."
--Alan Bradley, New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
"By turns hilarious and poignant, The Thursday Murder Club offers up a brilliant concept that's flawlessly executed and told in a unique, captivating voice. These are rare qualities in any novel, let alone a debut. I read the first page, then put all else on hold to devour this pitch-perfect book in one sitting. Bravo!
--Jeffery Deaver, #1 international bestselling author of The Goodbye Man
"Smart, compassionate, warm, moving and so very funny. I smiled a million times. This book will make a lot of people very, very happy."
--Marian Keyes, international bestselling author of Grown Ups
"A warm, wise, and witty warning never to underestimate the elderly."
--Val McDermid, international bestselling author of How the Dead Speak
"Utterly charming and very very clever."
--Sarah Pinborough, New York Times bestselling author of Cross Her Heart
"Funny, clever, and achingly British--what else would you expect from a book by Richard Osman?"
--Adam Kay, internationally bestselling author of This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Medical Resident
"A superb debut. Thrilling, moving, laugh-out-loud funny and packed with characters you will want to see a lot more of."
--Mark Billingham, international bestselling author of Their Little Secret
"What a joy! Full of brilliantly observed humor, spot-on dialogue, and twists and turns aplenty. Joyce and the gang are now my favorite crime-solving team."
--Nina Stibbe, author of Reasons to Be Cheerful
About the Author
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Product details
- Publisher : Pamela Dorman Books (22 September 2020)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1984880969
- ISBN-13 : 978-1984880963
- Dimensions : 15.6 x 3.18 x 23.67 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 150,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 7,140 in Amateur Sleuth Mysteries (Books)
- 12,455 in Cosy Mysteries (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Richard Osman is an author, producer and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club is his first novel. He is well known for TV shows including Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. As the creative director of Endemol UK, Richard has worked as an executive producer on numerous shows including Deal Or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is also a regular on panel and game shows such as Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You and Taskmaster.
Customer reviews

Top reviews from Australia
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If you enjoy novels which have a gentle humour amidst a absorbing mystery you will be delighted. I recommend this book unreservedly.
The characters were, well characters, some would say past their prime, but game for anything, fiercely loyal and you felt as though you got to know them, warts and all.
I look forward to the next book.
Ian Ventham is the owner of the development and he wants to expand it by building additional apartments and also to move the graveyard from when there was a convent on the site to build even more apartments. He is howled down at a consultation meeting at the village but his decision is made. That afternoon his builder, Tony Curran, who has a 25% stake in the business is murdered. No worries, Ventham already has a replacement lined up and brings in the diggers early the next morning. Only to find the graveyard picketed by retirees. There is a bit of a scuffle and Ventham drops down dead. Also murdered! This sends a ripple of excitement through the Thursday Murder Club membership who are ably lead by the formidable Elizabeth. Other members include Ron Ritchie, Ibrahim Arif and Joyce Meadowcroft. They all have their areas of expertise.
Not too much later another body is discovered although this one is much older and it takes a while before its relevance to the plot becomes apparent. The amateur detectives go straight to work on these murders. Elizabeth has her varied and very secret sources that cough up much useful information. They also need some pliable police officers they can pump for information so Elizabeth sets out to organise that with much zeal. She ropes in PC Donna De Freitas and DCI Chris Hudson. These two are utterly helpless to resist the wiles and the lemon drizzle cake of the retirees. Still they soon realise that the oldies mean business and can provide many a clue to solving the cases.
This was a joy to read. Osman brings his characters to life in a way that is humorous and respectful and very lively. The story was smart, funny, heartwarming and, in parts a little heartbreaking but full of warmth and empathy. I hope that doesn’t come across as too mushy 😬. I do enjoy stories about older people still having a go. I don’t like the way they are often portrayed as being invisible. Anyway, I have the ARC of the second book and thought I’d better read this first. I guess you would call it a cosy and, strange as it may seem, I find myself enjoying the odd cosy these days. Looking forward to book 2!
Some wonderful turns of phrase and a good deal of colour. Changes in narrator were a little confusing at times, Osman puts the narration in the hands of some of the participants, but not all of them, and it was easy to overlook who was talking, periodically. Nicely understated undercurrent of muted lust which is a little frustrating at times, but we are talking about seniors in an aged care facility!
I have been inspired to buy The Man who Died Twice, the sequel, and it is proving to be as alluring as the first dose of the Thursday Murder Club. Looking forward to the next!!
Top reviews from other countries


This is a typical 'very English' whodunnit, featuring eccentric characters who come alive on the page. The principle players are: Elizabeth (ex-spy chief), Joyce (former nurse), Ibrahim (retired psychiatrist) and Ron (ex-trade union boss) who reside in a gated retirement village situated on the south coast. These are folk who I soon came to care about, despite their individual flaws. They may be fictitious, but Richard effortlessly brings them to life, and gives each a unique personality of their own. Old age can sometimes be a burden to them, and they may have to endure certain physical and mental issues, but combined they are still a force to be reckoned with. These amateur sleuths are also somewhat unorthodox when it comes to the methods they employ to investigate and potentially trap a killer. Despite murder being the theme running through this excellent novel, this is very much a cosy read. It's clever, it's sad, it's moving in places, and it's wickedly funny throughout.
You know, these are difficult, worrying times we find ourselves in, and so we all occasionally need a break, a diversion, some form of escapism - and if that's what you're looking for, then reading this book is one way of achieving that. I'm not easily amused, but I have to say that at times The Thursday Murder Club had me in fits of laughter. This novel is the perfect antidote to the sometimes depressing stuff that has been going on around us of late. My advice is to get your hands on a copy of this book ASAP - then sit back in your favourite armchair, with a mug of tea and a plate of biscuits at hand, and just lose yourself in this compassionate, witty mystery created by the inimitable Richard Osman. All that's left for me to add is that I really cannot wait for the next book in the series.....

Kate Atkinson and Ian Rankin are on the book cover making flattering statements. Why? That seriously undermines their judgement and credibility in my eyes. On the back cover someone says: 'Laugh out loud'. Really? The humour is tired, cliched and resorts to stereotypes; in effect little asides from the author which are not amusing. Richard you can do so much better than this surely? It needed editing. In fact, I am wondering if the first draft was published by mistake and now no one can admit the error. The Joyce diary entries are tedious and nothing more than padding.
I came to this novel with enthusiasm and expectation but it is the worst text I have read in years. Who actually writes fiction in the present tense and thinks it is cool? I despair that another one of these novels is already planned and I can see a film version of this on the television in the future as a Christmas special. Perhaps when 'Death in Paradise' has had its day? Is that actually possible? If you are thinking of buying this for someone's Christmas stocking, I urge caution. I like 'cosy'; it is not cosy like Agatha Christie might be. Someone who agrees with my assessment, said it reminded them of Enid Blyton. They are right. Instead of lashings of ginger beer however, we are given lemon drizzle cake instead.
I admire the way Richard has transformed himself from a producer to a successful presenter. But I ask myself would this have been published if he was not a celebrity? I feel the pain of all the talented writers out there who fail to obtain a publishing deal and remain frustrated throughout their writing career. What a disappointment and an anti-climax. Coming to this having finished a David Nicholls novel the difference in characterisation, language and overall quality is immense. Not your finest moment Richard.

21/3/21. Revisited. Tried to give it another go. Didn't work, truly awful, do not understand on any level the 5 star reviews. Would really like to give zero stars but not possible.
29/4/22. Fail to understand why this book has so many 5-star reviews.

I really like and enjoy Mr Os appearances and television personality and looked forward to reading his first crime writing effort. Usually I would not pay more than £5 for any Kindle book but decided in lockdown to indulge.
What a mistake. The first half needs some severe editing. Using the character Elizabeth as pivotal (ex M15 or whatever) was a sloppy device. By the end I rather wished to share Penny's state.
Sorry Richard I really felt it all a bit "Pointless"