Every now and then a hyped book comes along that is really worth the fuss that has surrounded it. The Thursday Murder Club is the much anticipated first novel by TV presenter/quiz show host/producer Richard Osman. Anyone who has seen Richard Osman on TV will know he is a very witty, intelligent man, but is he also a good writer? – well yes he is. This is the first book in a projected series of at least four I understand, and it is full of Osman’s sharp humour – witty asides and amusing observations; unexpectedly poignant and heart-warming.
“Karen has been on some bad dates on Tinder. But this was the first time that someone had accused her of murder.”
The film rights for this have already been sold to Steven Spielberg, no less – so I think we can already count this a major success.
“In life you have to learn to count the good days. You have to tuck them in your pocket and carry them around with you. So I’m putting today in my pocket and I’m off to bed.”
I knew immediately upon starting that this was a book I was going to enjoy – and the characters were instantly people I wanted to spend time with – that is always a good sign.
Coopers Chase is a very nice retirement village in the Kent countryside – residents enjoying the privacy of large self-contained flats – but able to access a raft of social activities as well in the communal areas. Built on the site of a former convent, by developer Ian Ventham, it has an extensive graveyard and farmland around it which Ian is desperate to develop too, seeing a potential goldmine in the extension of Coopers Chase. Of course, not everyone is happy about Ian’s plans, although Ian really doesn’t care if he ruffles a few feathers. He has been working with a local builder Tony Curran – Tony clearly has a bit of a colourful past – and quite the reputation if crossed. Only now Ian has decided to dump Tony in favour of Polish builder Bogdan, Tony will be furious.
On Thursdays, septuagenarians Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron meet in the jigsaw room as the Thursday Murder club – though they don’t let on to anyone else that that is the nature of their Thursday meetings. They meet to discuss cold cases from files that once belonged to another friend (a retired police officer) who is now sadly in the Willows – the nursing home attached to Coopers Chase. Each of these four members of the Thursday Murder club bring something different to the table from their past lives. Joyce was a nurse, Elizabeth was a spy, Ibrahim a psychiatrist and Ron was a rabble rousing union leader. Joyce is the newest recruit, and she is the narrator of some chapters – the rest is told in the third person. Joyce is a joy, frequently and unintentionally hilarious, she is a widow whose daughter is a hedge fund manager – though Joyce doesn’t really know what that is.
When a real murder occurs, the Thursday Murder club put away the old files and decide that they will solve the case. They have recently met young PC Donna De Freitas, who came to Coopers Chase to do the usual security talk, only the Thursday Murder club weren’t very interested in that – and decide to utilise their new friend in getting to grips with the case. Donna has recently transferred to the local police station from London, it was a bit of a hasty decision, and now she is regretting it. What she would really like is to be a real investigator – catching the really bad guys, not delivering security talks to pensioners or primary school children. Donna is excited therefore to find herself seconded to the murder investigation, working alongside DCI Chris Hudson’s team. Rather unexpectedly, Donna and Chris become rather good friends, Donna can’t help but notice that he is need of some advice about clothing, and she encourages him to get a bit healthier – for Chris would really like to find a nice woman to share his lonely middle age.
“Chris has been to retirement communities before and this is not at all what he had been expecting. This is a whole village. He wanders past a bowls match, wine chilling in coolers at each end. One of the players is an extremely elderly woman smoking a pipe. He follows a meandering path through a perfect English garden, flanked by three storeys of flats. There are people gossiping on patios and balconies, enjoying the sunshine. Friends sit on benches, bees buzz round bushes, light breezes play tunes with ice cubes. Chris finds the whole thing deeply infuriating. He’s a wind-and-rain guy, a turn up the collar-on-your-overcoat man. If Chris had his way he would hibernate for the summer. He has not worn shorts since 1987.”
As DCI Hudson and Donna De Freitas begin the investigation, the Thursday murder club get stuck in too – and DCI Hudson can do nothing to stop them he realises – and in the end gives in and answers their frequent summons to Coopers Chase to discuss their latest findings. A second death occurs, and a decades old secret unearthed as the case becomes more complex – a case satisfying enough for most crime fans I should imagine, though nothing gruesome or gratuitous I am happy to say.
Alongside the murder cases that are at the heart of this novel – Osman explores the love that exists between people who have lived together for a long time, and even more poignantly that which still exists when one partner is no longer there. It is a fabulous portrait of older people, one that recognises that people can still have a lot to offer in later life – drawing on a wealth of experience and maintaining an energy and enthusiasm for more than daytime TV and comfy slippers.
I am already looking forward to the next instalment of this series – not to mention wondering who will play the various characters if that film is ever made.
It’s been impossible to get away from this one on socail media so I’m pleased to hear that it lived up to the hype.
Yes, it was always going to be hyped I suppose, but luckily it’s a great read with a lot of wit and heart.
Wonderful to read your post about this and to know that you enjoyed this novel so much. It really is worthy of the hype. I felt such affection for so many of the characters, especially Elizabeth who has such an intriguing past and crafty way of getting what she wants. It will be interesting to see how the character develop in the next book and, as you say, a film if it ever gets made.
Yes, Elizabeth is a brilliant character too, I love the way she can make things happen even in retirement.
This sounds like such a delight, Ali! Osman is very entertaining on screen so it’s good to know he lives up to this in his book. And I love the fact the protagonists are older people – makes a change from all the young, shiny people in most modern books!
It was a delight. I loved the older characters, so refreshing more books should have older characters in them.
Everything about this appeals to me so I’m so pleased to hear it lives up to the hype!
Yes, there are so things about this that appealed to me before I read it, especially those older kick ass characters.
Really looking forward to this one! I love Pointless and mostly because of Richard.
I love Pointless, I even watch the repeats, and I don’t really watch many quiz/game shows. Richard Osman is always very amusing.
Oh, that does actually sound pretty good, and I was put off by the hype. If the murder isn’t too gory, I think I will pick this up when it appears in the charity shops.
Yes, I had been reassured before hand that his style is more reminiscent of the Golden age, so go gory scenes or autopsies thankfully.
I loved this book too. He got all the character spot on didn’t he? It was witty and moving and so enjoyable.
Oh yes so enjoyable, I was actually surprised about how poignant and moving certain parts were.
This is one I’ve been looking forward to especially after enjoying the tongue-in-cheek piece Osman wrote for CrimeReads. That lack of graphic violence, plus a story with wit and interesting characters is what makes Sophie Hénaff’s books appealing too (my last post was on her second book).
I don’t usually read modern crime because of the violence or gory crimes so I had been pleased to hear before reading that this was more like the Golden Age. I don’t know Sophie Henaff so I will look up your review. (I have been struggling to get through all the blogs in my reader).
I definitely understand, it happens to all of us and with your schedule…
You might like Hénaff, the crimes aren’t minor, but detail is not dwelt upon and the emphasis is on the rather wacky characters. She’s a fairly new writer from France.
Thank you, she sounds intruiging.
It’s lovely to see how much you enjoyed this novel, particularly as I feel at least partly responsible for encouraging you to buy it! The affection Osman shows towards his characters really comes through.
It was a perfect read for a tired weekend and early part of the following week. I am glad you encouraged me, my mum and sister are looking forward to reading it too. You can really tell that Osman likes his characters.
This sounds wonderful and I am so pleased you enjoyed so much. I have my own copy waiting on my Kindle and I am even more excited to read it now! 😊
So glad you have this one waiting to read. It could be perfect for half term if you haven’t anything else planned for that week. 😊
This sounds like a wonderful read. Bonus points for featuring older adults in a positive manner. Thanks for sharing!
Yes having older people as central characters was a big win for me.
I’m picturing a whose who of British theatre – Dench, Smith, Mirren, Nighy, Wilkinson….
Yes I think a lot of people would probably picture them in some roles. It will make a marvellous film I think.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this. As you say, there’s a brilliant feeling from the off. I can’t wait for the next book either 🙂
I am delighted that so many people have loved these characters. My sister just started reading the copy I bought for her and she is really enjoying it too.
Either the hype hasn’t spread across the pond, or I’ve not been paying the right sort of attention. Either way, I enjoyed reading your thoughts about it, and your second-to-last paragraph secured my interest!
I don’t know whether you would know Richard Osman over there anyway. Glad to have spiked your interest.
I was sceptical about this when I heard about it for the very reason you mention – yes he might be witty and intelligent but that doesn’t mean he can write! From everything I’ve seen however it does look as if he can!!!
Yes I enjoyed, the amusing tone throughout might not suit everyone, but I liked it, and it provided some light relief over a tired few days.