18 Dec The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – Book Review

Sometimes, I love a good puzzle—crosswords, Sudoku, and yeah, watching Letters and Numbers on TV while pretending I could keep up. That’s exactly why I thought The Thursday Murder Club might be my jam. A group of retirees solving cold cases from the comfort of their swanky retirement village? It sounded quirky, clever, and just a little bit nerdy. Perfect for me, right? Well… kinda.

I read it on a lazy weekend, curled up with tea and a blanket, expecting a fun whodunit with some good-natured ribbing between the characters. While it did scratch that “gentle mystery” itch, it didn’t totally wow me. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I’m just not as charmed by a cheeky septuagenarian crew as I thought I’d be. Either way, let’s dive in.

What’s it about?

The story centers around four unlikely friends—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim—who meet every Thursday to discuss unsolved murders. It’s all very civilized until a real-life case lands in their laps: the mysterious death of a shady property developer tied to their retirement village. Suddenly, their hobby turns into an active investigation, complete with clever scheming, a bit of breaking and entering, and a whole lot of sass.

Meanwhile, the local police, represented by newbie PC Donna De Freitas and her grumpy superior, DCI Chris Hudson, get dragged into the retirees’ world. It’s all very much a “cosy crime meets tea-and-biscuits” vibe. There are twists, some laugh-out-loud moments, and an ever-growing list of suspects, from dodgy ex-wives to builders with questionable motives.

What This Chick Thinks

Let’s start with the good stuff. Richard Osman definitely knows how to craft lovable characters. Joyce’s diary entries were a particular favorite of mine—funny, sharp, and surprisingly poignant. She’s the kind of person you want to adopt as your honorary grandma. And Elizabeth, the retired spy with a knack for manipulation, brought a satisfying edge to the group’s otherwise laid-back approach. The banter was great, the setup clever, and the stakes just high enough to keep me turning pages.

But… (and here’s where that 6.5/10 kicks in), it all felt a bit too pleasant. Like, almost aggressively so. The stakes, while technically there, never quite hit me in the gut. Maybe it’s because I’ve read so many mysteries where the tension leaves you breathless, but this one kept me at arm’s length. It was like watching an episode of Midsomer Murders—you enjoy it, but you’re never really worried.

The pacing also dragged in places. For every charming scene of the retirees plotting over coffee, there was a subplot or character introduction that felt like padding. And while I loved the idea of the retirees being underestimated by everyone, it sometimes stretched believability. I mean, are we really supposed to believe the police would put up with this much interference?

Also—and I hate to say this—the mystery itself didn’t blow my mind. The solution was fine, but it didn’t have that jaw-dropping twist or gut-punch moment that I live for in crime stories. It felt more like a slow “Ah, I see,” than a dramatic “No way!”

Final Thoughts

The Thursday Murder Club is a solid, gentle read that’s perfect for a rainy day. The characters are charming, the humor lands, and the concept is undeniably fun. But for me? It didn’t quite spark that “Oh my god, you HAVE to read this!” feeling. If you’re in the mood for a low-stakes mystery with lots of heart, give it a go. Just don’t expect to be blown away.

Score: 6.5/10

Try it if you like:

1. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith – If you love mysteries with warmth, charm, and a laid-back pace, this series about a Botswanan private investigator is a great pick.
2. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman – While it’s not a mystery, this novel shares the same love for quirky older characters who steal the show.
3. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz – A clever, meta-mystery with sharper twists and a similar love of classic whodunits.