There’s been a murder! – Book Club

I saw an interview with Richard Osman discussing his debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, and thought, “that could be interesting…but just not quite interesting enough to actually read.”

Rather coincidentally, some time later, a copy was given to me, and now I really do regret not reading it sooner. The diary of Joyce details her experiences in an idyllic retirement village, where four unlikely friends meet weekly to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their doorstep, the so-called Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case.

The story is truly original, and just from the short summary it’s clear to see that this book offers the possibility of some funny moments. It turns out that, ‘some funny moments’ is an understatement…its downright hilarious. Watching elderly people solve murders is more amusing than you would imagine.
Hence, it’s not surprising that the humorous Richard Osman penned the tale, and for someone who’s not known for his books, he did a really good job here.

He juxtaposes the inhumanity of murder, while still making this a cosy read, marrying the two together in an ironic blend of themes. The story is engrossing from the get-go; the dialogue, the interactions between characters, and the descriptions of the various events throughout the story make it impossible to put
down.

Osman makes it so easy to read; getting points across in a way that’s understandable, while simultaneously (mis)leading us through the ins and outs of solving a murder, keeping us guessing to the end.

Overall, The Thursday Murder Club is an incredibly fun and interesting read, with broad appeal and something just about anyone could enjoy.