The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: A Slow Winding Murder Mystery
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Dr. Preeti Chauhan
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This book just popped up on my Amazon recommendations and even after I brought it home, it lay untouched at the base of a heap of other books on my TBR , till one fine day I finally picked it up.The cover page of this book has a quote from Ian Rankin the bestselling author of many crime mysteries books , referring to this book he says: So smart and funny, deplorably good!
Let us find out if it was so for me.
Most of you who have been reading my blogs know that I am an avid fan of Agatha Christie and Murder mysteries but of late I have been consciously trying to explore other writers in this genre, so here goes this post about a tryst with my first Richard Osman murder mystery.
But before that a bit about the author himself.
About Richard Osman
Richard Osman is a British TV presenter, producer, and author. He became well-known as the co-creator and host of the BBC quiz show Pointless. In 2020, Osman published his first novel, The Thursday Murder Club, which quickly became a global bestseller. The story blends warmth, humour, mystery, and endearing characters. Since then, he has written sequels such as The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, and The Last Devil to Die. His transition from television to fiction has shown that he’s a talented storyteller. Readers love the charm, intelligence, and heart in his writing.
Set in Coopers Chase, a tranquil but posh retirement village in Kent, The Thursday Murder Club follows four elderly residents who meet every Thursday to solve cold cases hence the name. The group includes Elizabeth, a former intelligence operative; Joyce, a retired nurse; Ibrahim, a retired psychiatrist; and Ron, once a trade union leader. Their hobby quickly becomes serious when a property developer is found murdered in their community. As other deaths surface and deep secrets come to light, they must use all their wit, life experience, and teamwork to find the truth and do what’s right.
Main Characters of The Thursday Murder Club
Seniors in the Club
Elizabeth Best – A sharp, resourceful ex-spy or intelligence officer. This is broken to us only much later into the book. She is the group’s leader and most daring. Her contacts and quick thinking drive many breakthroughs.
Joyce Meadowcroft – A former nurse whose gentle, observant nature hides a keen intelligence. Part of the story is told from her diary, adding warmth and humour.
Ibrahim Arif – Calm, analytical, and kind – a retired psychiatrist who brings logic and sensitivity to the team. He often balances Elizabeth’s boldness and Ron’s passion.
Ron Ritchie – A former union leader with fire in his belly. He speaks plainly, stands up for justice, and fiercely protects his friends—even when that lands him into trouble.
Other Key figures in the book
Penny Gray – A retired detective inspector and the original founder of the Murder Club, along with Elizabeth. Penny is now unable to contribute directly due to illness, but her unsolved cases and legacy remain central to the group’s mission . Joyce even reflects that she “stepped in” for Penny, who now lies unresponsive in a nursing home.
PC Donna De Freitas – A young, bright police constable recently transferred from London. Donna is smart, determined, and eager for a meaningful assignment. Through meeting the club and investigating the case, she finds new purpose—and sometimes collaborates quietly with the sleuths.
DCI Chris Hudson – Donna’s superior and the official lead investigator. He is witty, skeptical of the club’s meddling at first—but gradually comes to respect their insights
John Gray – Penny’s devoted husband. His loyalty and decisions become pivotal when the club uncovers the truth.
Other memorable characters include Bogdan, a kind handyman with a hidden past, and various suspects living within the village, such as developers and relatives. All these characters enrich the plot and reflect the book’s theme that every person, no matter how quiet or unexpected, has a story.
The Draw of This Detective Style
What made this book delightful is its “cozy mystery” tone—there are no graphic crimes, but lots of warmth, humour, and clever clues. Older characters—often overlooked in fiction—are portrayed as smart, capable, and full of life. Each member of the club brings a unique talent: espionage savvy, nursing insight, psychological analysis, or fiery negotiation. Their bond is built on respect and friendship, not youth or glamour—but it’s powerful. Adding Donna and Chris provides a bridge to the official side of the investigation, showing how different generations can work together. Osman writes with heart, giving readers both a mystery and a message: growing older doesn’t mean becoming vegetative. It’s about staying curious, connected, and bold.
If I have to compare this style of detection with my other favourite sleuths – Miss Marple and Hercules Poirot , the Thursday Murder club investigates not by collecting clues from the scene through common sense or deductions but derives more from the past experiences of the characters and deep burrowing for facts and some running around.
Where it fell short of delivering
Despite its charming tone, The Thursday Murder Club lacks real suspense or emotional depth. Its pacing suffers from rather slow storytelling with frequent digressions and numerous very short chapters, which disrupt the narrative flow. The story’s dense cast and tangled subplots often overwhelmed me and took away from the plot. The initial few chapters were quite confusing because of a profusion of shifting perspectives and too many characters, making it hard to stay immersed or emotionally invested. I almost gave it up but when I doggedly persisted, after the initial few chapters, the plot got quite engaging and the ending was rewarding if not nail biting.
Conclusion
Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club is a heartwarming and witty mystery. It features four elderly friends who leap into sleuthing with spirit, brains, and compassion. Supporting characters like Penny and Donna deepen the story—Penny for her founding legacy, Donna for her youthful determination. The novel’s charm lies in its gentle humour, clever plotting, and respect for aging lives. It rewards readers with laughter, twists, and the joy of watching unlikely heroes solve real mysteries. This is a book to savour—one that shows how a curious mind knows no age.
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