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Thursday Murder Club #2
The Man Who Died Twice
It's the following Thursday.
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.
As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus?
But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.
As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus?
But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2021
About the author
Richard Osman
27 books13.9k followersAn English television presenter, producer, director, and novelist.
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March 10, 2024
What sort of business though? Diamonds? Murder? Perhaps a bit of both? That would be nice.
Our four loveable septuagenarian are at it again. With their trademark mix of sweetness, smarts, and humor, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron come together to stick their noses where they don't belong. This time, they need to recover twenty million pounds' worth of diamonds and suss out a murderer.
The draw of this series has always been its characters. They are its heart and soul, and this book is another superb display of that. Their affection for one another, their enthusiasm for anything remotely exciting, and their good humor all exemplify the best of humanity, not just for old people, but for people of all ages.
The mystery itself is compelling and an improvement over the first book. Though it took its time getting started, leisurely leading us to the murderous moment, once we get there it's off to the races. From that point on, I found it completely unputdownable.
I've always enjoyed the dual points of view in this series, which alternate between third person omniscient and first person in the form of Joyce's journal. I find Joyce's voice to be particularly delightful and her colorful commentary of the events a real hoot and highlight.
Oh, and on an unrelated but practical note, I also learned that if you're ever attacked and you have a knife to defend yourself with, you should hold it with an overhand grip instead of an underhand one, as that allows for greater force. It's always nice when stories not only entertain but also impart useful information.
It's clear that in just two books, this series has become a favorite of mine. I can't wait for the next installment!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
#1. The Thursday Murder Club
#3. The Bullet That Missed
#4. The Last Devil to Die
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
September 28, 2021
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY - DON'T MISS THIS ONE***
As much as I enjoyed “The Thursday Murder Club” this book is EVEN BETTER!!!! Now that we know a little bit about the main characters the author has given us a much more challenging and twisty, turny mystery to unravel. And when one of their own is attacked, all members of the group are in great form to step in where others do not!!
The four members of the club include:
Elizabeth, a former M15 operative with a slew of “great connections”
Joyce a former nurse and woman of many skills, she loves solving puzzles
Ibrahim is a retired psychiatrist who has a keen eye for reading body language
Ron is a retired union leader and a man known for getting things done
This book starts at a quick pace and never lets us. It was so much fun to read and try to keep up with this quick witted group.
There are several things going on here I’ll just touch upon each one.
One of their own, Ibrahim, is brutally attacked while walking in a small town close to Cooper’s Chase, their retirement home complex. While he is laid up, another member of Cooper’s Chase, Bogdan, steps up to help with driving, playing chess with Elizabeth’s home bound husband and using his considerable body build and talent for “taking care of problem people”.
Elizabeth is contacted by an agent whom she formerly worked with, he’s in serious trouble after stealing $20 million worth of diamonds supposedly from the mafia. His connection with Elizabeth is much deeper than we at first believe and she decides to help him find a safe house while he’s on the run.
I wondered how these two crimes could possibly be related but leave it to this group to find a way to punish all of those involved.
DON’T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THIS IS A COZY MYSTERY. This book has an intriguing puzzler of a mystery and the action really never stops. This time the club members have seriously dangerous criminals they are dealing with, they will do anything to get back their diamonds. The bodies pile up and there is definitely enough action here to keep thriller lovers engaged.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED spending time with these characters and getting to know them even better. These are people with real lives, vivid pasts and things they still want to get done in life. I'm so hoping that this series will continue, it’s absolutely wonderful!!
If you haven’t read the first novel I highly recommend it because you won’t want to miss this one!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
The novel is set to publish on September 28, 2021
As much as I enjoyed “The Thursday Murder Club” this book is EVEN BETTER!!!! Now that we know a little bit about the main characters the author has given us a much more challenging and twisty, turny mystery to unravel. And when one of their own is attacked, all members of the group are in great form to step in where others do not!!
The four members of the club include:
Elizabeth, a former M15 operative with a slew of “great connections”
Joyce a former nurse and woman of many skills, she loves solving puzzles
Ibrahim is a retired psychiatrist who has a keen eye for reading body language
Ron is a retired union leader and a man known for getting things done
This book starts at a quick pace and never lets us. It was so much fun to read and try to keep up with this quick witted group.
There are several things going on here I’ll just touch upon each one.
One of their own, Ibrahim, is brutally attacked while walking in a small town close to Cooper’s Chase, their retirement home complex. While he is laid up, another member of Cooper’s Chase, Bogdan, steps up to help with driving, playing chess with Elizabeth’s home bound husband and using his considerable body build and talent for “taking care of problem people”.
Elizabeth is contacted by an agent whom she formerly worked with, he’s in serious trouble after stealing $20 million worth of diamonds supposedly from the mafia. His connection with Elizabeth is much deeper than we at first believe and she decides to help him find a safe house while he’s on the run.
I wondered how these two crimes could possibly be related but leave it to this group to find a way to punish all of those involved.
DON’T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THIS IS A COZY MYSTERY. This book has an intriguing puzzler of a mystery and the action really never stops. This time the club members have seriously dangerous criminals they are dealing with, they will do anything to get back their diamonds. The bodies pile up and there is definitely enough action here to keep thriller lovers engaged.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED spending time with these characters and getting to know them even better. These are people with real lives, vivid pasts and things they still want to get done in life. I'm so hoping that this series will continue, it’s absolutely wonderful!!
If you haven’t read the first novel I highly recommend it because you won’t want to miss this one!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
The novel is set to publish on September 28, 2021
October 10, 2022
The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club #2)
by Richard Osman, Lesley Manville (Narrator)
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim and their Thursday Murder Club are back along with DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas. Chris and Donna are trying to put an end to drug queenpin Connie Johnson's murderous operation while Ibrahim is a victim of a brutal street attack. And someone from Elizabeth's past needs her help, bringing Elizabeth's life as a former secret agent with MI5 into the limelight. All these events and the people associated with them get woven into a tangled and sometimes very helpful mess. Count on the Thursday Murder Club members to figure out ways to make the most of their brain powers, skillsets, and other assets to make lemonade out of lemons.
I love all these people and they are all so funny. Being in their heads is a pleasure and kept me laughing. There's Chris, dating Donna's mom...ew, although she really is delighted and actually set them up. Elizabeth's heartstrings are being pulled by her ex, naïve Joyce is a hoot, Ron lets his heart show as he strongarms his way through whatever needs to be done, and battered and devastated Ibrahim is the best friend a little kid can have.
I cannot wait to see these folks again. The audiobook is awesome and that's the way I want to experience these books from now on. And, we have Joyce's new rescue mutt to meet!
Pub September 28, 2021 by Penguin Audio
by Richard Osman, Lesley Manville (Narrator)
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim and their Thursday Murder Club are back along with DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas. Chris and Donna are trying to put an end to drug queenpin Connie Johnson's murderous operation while Ibrahim is a victim of a brutal street attack. And someone from Elizabeth's past needs her help, bringing Elizabeth's life as a former secret agent with MI5 into the limelight. All these events and the people associated with them get woven into a tangled and sometimes very helpful mess. Count on the Thursday Murder Club members to figure out ways to make the most of their brain powers, skillsets, and other assets to make lemonade out of lemons.
I love all these people and they are all so funny. Being in their heads is a pleasure and kept me laughing. There's Chris, dating Donna's mom...ew, although she really is delighted and actually set them up. Elizabeth's heartstrings are being pulled by her ex, naïve Joyce is a hoot, Ron lets his heart show as he strongarms his way through whatever needs to be done, and battered and devastated Ibrahim is the best friend a little kid can have.
I cannot wait to see these folks again. The audiobook is awesome and that's the way I want to experience these books from now on. And, we have Joyce's new rescue mutt to meet!
Pub September 28, 2021 by Penguin Audio
August 10, 2021
Richard Osman fulfils the promise of his quintessentially English offbeat and comic crime debut, Thursday Murder Club (TMC), with this cracking sequel. This time the intrepid elderly sleuths from the Kent retirement community of Coopers Chase, ex-spook Elizabeth, former nurse and journal writer, Joyce, logistics and details man, psychiatrist Ibrahim, and Ron, with his past life as a vociferous and committed union man, face the New York Mafia, chase £20 million pounds of stolen diamonds, as the dead bodies just keep on coming. Having established his characters, Osman raises the stakes and the danger levels for his members of the TMC, and, needless to say, they rise to the challenge beautifully. When one of their own, Ibrahim, is seriously injured during a violent mugging for his phone, there is no way the TMC, or local Fairhaven cops, DCI Chris Hudson and Donna De Freitas, are not going to seek vengeance.
When Elizabeth gets a message from a ghost from her past, the TMC finds themselves roped in to help protect her faithless but charming ex-husband and spook, Douglas, after he steals diamonds from middleman and money launderer to the international criminal community, Martin Lomax. The diamonds belong to the New York Mafia, they, and Lomax, whose reputation and life is at stake, are going to do whatever they need to do to ensure they get the diamonds back. Chris and Donna are carrying out surveillance on local drug and crime queen pin, Connie Johnson, but she is running rings around them, leading to them being helped by more 'experienced' London detectives. MI5 spooks, Sue Reardon and Lance James, have the job of protecting Douglas as they and the TMC try to locate the missing diamonds.
Its an utter joy to be re-acquainted with the slew of characters I encountered previously, the TMC obviously, but including the likes of Chris who is now in a relationship with Donna's mum, Patrice, and the Polish Bogdan, an ever reliable man who will do anything to help the TMC and who is developing feelings for Donna. Once again, the so often underestimated Joyce writes her journal and we have the wonderful pleasure of encountering the plucky young grandson of Ron, Kendrick, who comes to stay, bonding with Ibrahim and proving to be a surprising help in their investigations. This proves to be an highly entertaining, fun, and engaging sequel, so definitely and deliciously moreish that I have no doubt that this will do as well, if not better than the first book for Osman. Cannot wait for the next in the series. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
When Elizabeth gets a message from a ghost from her past, the TMC finds themselves roped in to help protect her faithless but charming ex-husband and spook, Douglas, after he steals diamonds from middleman and money launderer to the international criminal community, Martin Lomax. The diamonds belong to the New York Mafia, they, and Lomax, whose reputation and life is at stake, are going to do whatever they need to do to ensure they get the diamonds back. Chris and Donna are carrying out surveillance on local drug and crime queen pin, Connie Johnson, but she is running rings around them, leading to them being helped by more 'experienced' London detectives. MI5 spooks, Sue Reardon and Lance James, have the job of protecting Douglas as they and the TMC try to locate the missing diamonds.
Its an utter joy to be re-acquainted with the slew of characters I encountered previously, the TMC obviously, but including the likes of Chris who is now in a relationship with Donna's mum, Patrice, and the Polish Bogdan, an ever reliable man who will do anything to help the TMC and who is developing feelings for Donna. Once again, the so often underestimated Joyce writes her journal and we have the wonderful pleasure of encountering the plucky young grandson of Ron, Kendrick, who comes to stay, bonding with Ibrahim and proving to be a surprising help in their investigations. This proves to be an highly entertaining, fun, and engaging sequel, so definitely and deliciously moreish that I have no doubt that this will do as well, if not better than the first book for Osman. Cannot wait for the next in the series. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
October 2, 2024
I loved The Thursday Murder Club, so this sequel was much anticipated - one I kept delaying due to fear of disappointment. I shouldn’t have worried though, because it was better than the first! It felt great to be reunited with my friends at Coopers Chase.
“If you worried about every stretcher you saw at Coopers Chase you’d need one yourself soon enough.”
We're introduced to Elizabeth’s ex-husband, Douglas, a secret service agent who has stolen valuable diamonds from criminal banker, Martin Lomax. Naturally, bad people are unhappy about this - including the mafia. Meanwhile, one of our beloved characters is viciously assaulted during a robbery. The rest of the gang seek justice, while also dealing with a growing number of dead bodies relating to the diamonds.
You know things are going down when the Thursday Murder Club start holding emergency meetings! I was hooked from the start by the quick, punchy chapters and effortless way Osman runs multiple storylines at once. There’s no corner he can’t write himself out from.
“MI5 know who I am now though, so that’s one for the Christmas newsletter.”
These books have some of the best dialogue. The characters and their dynamics are the strong point of the series and they enjoy greater development here. You come to know and love them - they felt like adopted grandparents I was spending time with. A dash of romance, a bit of murder. It had everything. Osman has a knack for juggling mysteries alongside funny and touching moments.
“I am learning that it is important to stop sometimes, and just have a drink and a gossip with friends, even as corpses start to pile up around you.”
Joyce’s diary entries are self-aware and more than just a plot device. This time, however, they didn't always hit the mark - even Joyce admitted she was waffling on! Despite a slight lull, I was still blown away by certain developments. Osman always keeps me guessing and I love this about his work.
The tension built spectacularly as cocaine, diamonds and various people collided. Osman perfectly stuck the landing and tied pieces together well. It was a satisfying ending with a great final line - I couldn’t help but smile.
The Man Who Died Twice is wonderfully British and hard to put down. I’m already looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing the upcoming film adaptations.
This was such a fun buddy read with Rebecca and Kyle! Did they enjoy it too? Check out their reviews here and here.
“If you worried about every stretcher you saw at Coopers Chase you’d need one yourself soon enough.”
We're introduced to Elizabeth’s ex-husband, Douglas, a secret service agent who has stolen valuable diamonds from criminal banker, Martin Lomax. Naturally, bad people are unhappy about this - including the mafia. Meanwhile, one of our beloved characters is viciously assaulted during a robbery. The rest of the gang seek justice, while also dealing with a growing number of dead bodies relating to the diamonds.
You know things are going down when the Thursday Murder Club start holding emergency meetings! I was hooked from the start by the quick, punchy chapters and effortless way Osman runs multiple storylines at once. There’s no corner he can’t write himself out from.
“MI5 know who I am now though, so that’s one for the Christmas newsletter.”
These books have some of the best dialogue. The characters and their dynamics are the strong point of the series and they enjoy greater development here. You come to know and love them - they felt like adopted grandparents I was spending time with. A dash of romance, a bit of murder. It had everything. Osman has a knack for juggling mysteries alongside funny and touching moments.
“I am learning that it is important to stop sometimes, and just have a drink and a gossip with friends, even as corpses start to pile up around you.”
Joyce’s diary entries are self-aware and more than just a plot device. This time, however, they didn't always hit the mark - even Joyce admitted she was waffling on! Despite a slight lull, I was still blown away by certain developments. Osman always keeps me guessing and I love this about his work.
The tension built spectacularly as cocaine, diamonds and various people collided. Osman perfectly stuck the landing and tied pieces together well. It was a satisfying ending with a great final line - I couldn’t help but smile.
The Man Who Died Twice is wonderfully British and hard to put down. I’m already looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing the upcoming film adaptations.
This was such a fun buddy read with Rebecca and Kyle! Did they enjoy it too? Check out their reviews here and here.
November 3, 2024
Even better than the 1st book.
A lot of people had mentioned to me that Joyce getting Instagram was a highlight of the book, and I have to agree. Joyce navigating anything more advanced than a tv remote is perfection.
She my spirit animal.
When I'm yelling at my phone because I wanted to answer the call but now I've opened some sort of an app that's telling me I didn't take enough steps today? Or when my kids get all upset and ask me why I sent them the sarcastic smiley face emoji when all I was trying to do was send a smiley face because forfuckssake how can you tell the difference between smiley face emojis they all look the same!?
Those are the times I feel Joyce in my soul.
Question: Am I the only person left who doesn't want to Facetime?
Why do you need to see me while we're talking? Now I feel like I have to get dressed for a phone call. It's very stressful!!!
In The Man Who Died Twice you really get to know the characters that you enjoyed in the The Thursday Murder Club. I honestly thought I couldn't like them any more than I did, but then Osman decided to prove me wrong.
Elizabeth is everything I ever wanted to be when I grew up and kinda still is. She's a badass old lady and the smartest person reading the room at any given time. I love that she learned to lean on her friends a little this time around. And her Stephen! God, I love him and I can see why Elizabeth loves him, too.
Ibrahim, my heart just broke for him in this book. He's so intelligent and so fragile, and what happened to him was so unfair. But he's got his friends and I have no doubt that Joyce will have him up and around in no time.
Ron! Ron is cranky and hilarious and I would 100% like to go have a beer or 3 with him. Because while I may want to be Elizabeth, Ron is more or less what I have flowing through my DNA.
Bogdan (whose name I heard as BobDan for the entirety of the 1st book), Donna, Chris, Patrice, and everyone else that they add to their little murder club as the books go by are all so real to me.
The very short non-spoilery gist is that Elizabeth's slimy secret agent ex-husband shows up and wants her help. Someone is trying to kill him and she's one of the only people he trusts to keep him alive.
Shit goes sideways.
As it often does with this group of seventy-somethings.
Of course, they manage to put it right eventually.
And of course, they do in a way that leaves you smiling.
If you liked the first book you will love this one.
Highly Recommended.
A lot of people had mentioned to me that Joyce getting Instagram was a highlight of the book, and I have to agree. Joyce navigating anything more advanced than a tv remote is perfection.
She my spirit animal.
When I'm yelling at my phone because I wanted to answer the call but now I've opened some sort of an app that's telling me I didn't take enough steps today? Or when my kids get all upset and ask me why I sent them the sarcastic smiley face emoji when all I was trying to do was send a smiley face because forfuckssake how can you tell the difference between smiley face emojis they all look the same!?
Those are the times I feel Joyce in my soul.
Question: Am I the only person left who doesn't want to Facetime?
Why do you need to see me while we're talking? Now I feel like I have to get dressed for a phone call. It's very stressful!!!
In The Man Who Died Twice you really get to know the characters that you enjoyed in the The Thursday Murder Club. I honestly thought I couldn't like them any more than I did, but then Osman decided to prove me wrong.
Elizabeth is everything I ever wanted to be when I grew up and kinda still is. She's a badass old lady and the smartest person reading the room at any given time. I love that she learned to lean on her friends a little this time around. And her Stephen! God, I love him and I can see why Elizabeth loves him, too.
Ibrahim, my heart just broke for him in this book. He's so intelligent and so fragile, and what happened to him was so unfair. But he's got his friends and I have no doubt that Joyce will have him up and around in no time.
Ron! Ron is cranky and hilarious and I would 100% like to go have a beer or 3 with him. Because while I may want to be Elizabeth, Ron is more or less what I have flowing through my DNA.
Bogdan (whose name I heard as BobDan for the entirety of the 1st book), Donna, Chris, Patrice, and everyone else that they add to their little murder club as the books go by are all so real to me.
The very short non-spoilery gist is that Elizabeth's slimy secret agent ex-husband shows up and wants her help. Someone is trying to kill him and she's one of the only people he trusts to keep him alive.
Shit goes sideways.
As it often does with this group of seventy-somethings.
Of course, they manage to put it right eventually.
And of course, they do in a way that leaves you smiling.
If you liked the first book you will love this one.
Highly Recommended.
October 11, 2021
“It is important to stop sometimes and just have a drink and gossip with friends, even as corpses start to pile up around you.”
The Man Who Died Twice is an entertaining read about four septuagenarians, aka The Thursday Murder Club, whose attempt to solve a murder puts them in the crosshairs of a mysterious businessman, a brutal drug dealer, the mafia, and MI-5. This is a laugh-out-loud, enjoyable read that kept me both on my toes and smiling.
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron get caught up in a mysterious case surrounding one of Elizabeth’s ex-husbands. The case puts them in grave danger and also causes the foursome to confront personal fears and, ultimately, embrace life. In addition to my favorite foursome, other favorite characters are back: Bogdan, Chris, and Donna play a large role.
The narrative is split between all the characters mentioned above, but Joyce and Elizabeth play the largest roles, followed by Ibrahim, who is the victim of an awful crime. I would like more of Ron and Bogdan in the next book.
Ibrahim reading You and expressing his sympathy for Joe had me LMAO!
I highly recommend reading The Thursday Murder Club before reading The Man Who Died Twice. TTMC establishes the unique friendships between the characters as well as highlights what makes each character special. The Man Who Died Twice wasn’t as tight as book one, and there was a bit of repetition. The ending is a bit over the top, but I didn’t really care as I so enjoy these characters. Watching them outsmart their younger, brutal enemies was non-stop fun. I can’t wait to see what the four are up to next!
The Man Who Died Twice is an entertaining read about four septuagenarians, aka The Thursday Murder Club, whose attempt to solve a murder puts them in the crosshairs of a mysterious businessman, a brutal drug dealer, the mafia, and MI-5. This is a laugh-out-loud, enjoyable read that kept me both on my toes and smiling.
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron get caught up in a mysterious case surrounding one of Elizabeth’s ex-husbands. The case puts them in grave danger and also causes the foursome to confront personal fears and, ultimately, embrace life. In addition to my favorite foursome, other favorite characters are back: Bogdan, Chris, and Donna play a large role.
The narrative is split between all the characters mentioned above, but Joyce and Elizabeth play the largest roles, followed by Ibrahim, who is the victim of an awful crime. I would like more of Ron and Bogdan in the next book.
Ibrahim reading You and expressing his sympathy for Joe had me LMAO!
I highly recommend reading The Thursday Murder Club before reading The Man Who Died Twice. TTMC establishes the unique friendships between the characters as well as highlights what makes each character special. The Man Who Died Twice wasn’t as tight as book one, and there was a bit of repetition. The ending is a bit over the top, but I didn’t really care as I so enjoy these characters. Watching them outsmart their younger, brutal enemies was non-stop fun. I can’t wait to see what the four are up to next!
November 22, 2022
My favorite crime fighter septuagenarian foursome is back for another complicated case are ready with more than few tricks up their sleeves.
This is the sequel of Thursday Murder Book Club series. If you haven’t read the first book, let me give you a quick summary: four septuagenarians with different occupations, characteristics and far different pasts come together to solve the cold cases. They have brilliant skills complete each other to bring out another piece of the puzzle.
Elizabeth: once upon a time a spy, having vivid past, involving into international operations and she didn’t share most of it with her friends now taking care of her husband Stephen who is suffering from dementia.
Joyce is retired nurse, the most eccentric and quirky member trying to make changes in her life by adopting a rescue dog and joining the Instagram, cooking hell of delicious cakes!
Ron is retired labor organizer, likes to talk about politics, hating the close human attraction.
Ibrahim is the psychiatrist with photographic memory skills, introverted, scared of taking life changing decisions in his life. But now he feels more regrets about the choices he made.
They’re coming from different backgrounds, sharing different pasts, regrets but their loyal friendship and their curiosity to solve the crimes give them enough hope to wake up and welcome another day of their lives!
This time a ghost from Elizabeth’s past leaves her a letter. The man’s name who left the letter is Marcus Carmichael whose body slumped against a Thames Bridge at a low tide decades ago. Elizabeth helped to carry his body to a white van to be transported away. She even talked to his grieving widow! If the man hasn’t been resuscitated , somebody who knows the operation might be the one who wrote that letter!
And finally she decides to confront him! Surprise: her old husband / another spy Douglas needs his help!
20 millions pound worth diamonds are stole from strongroom of Martin Lomax, a shady man they watch. Douglas is the one broke into the house and stuffed the gills with diamonds but he made a mistake by taking off his ski mask in front of surveillance cameras. Now dangerous people are looking for him and he needs bodyguards to get protection! As you may see those bodyguards will be our genius pensioners!
But you may imagine nothing goes as it planned, dead bodies start piling up and our genius foursome find themselves into complex espionage scheme, fighting against real dangerous criminals. Could they survive? Fingers crossed! I don’t want to lose my favorite characters so early!
First book was just warming up to those characters and their unique skills to solve the crimes. But I think at this second book, I got emotionally invested them. Of course the action packed, smart mystery kept my attention intact.
So this time I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5 kick ass, genius, favorite British pensioners stars!
So many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking/ Pamela Dorman Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
This is the sequel of Thursday Murder Book Club series. If you haven’t read the first book, let me give you a quick summary: four septuagenarians with different occupations, characteristics and far different pasts come together to solve the cold cases. They have brilliant skills complete each other to bring out another piece of the puzzle.
Elizabeth: once upon a time a spy, having vivid past, involving into international operations and she didn’t share most of it with her friends now taking care of her husband Stephen who is suffering from dementia.
Joyce is retired nurse, the most eccentric and quirky member trying to make changes in her life by adopting a rescue dog and joining the Instagram, cooking hell of delicious cakes!
Ron is retired labor organizer, likes to talk about politics, hating the close human attraction.
Ibrahim is the psychiatrist with photographic memory skills, introverted, scared of taking life changing decisions in his life. But now he feels more regrets about the choices he made.
They’re coming from different backgrounds, sharing different pasts, regrets but their loyal friendship and their curiosity to solve the crimes give them enough hope to wake up and welcome another day of their lives!
This time a ghost from Elizabeth’s past leaves her a letter. The man’s name who left the letter is Marcus Carmichael whose body slumped against a Thames Bridge at a low tide decades ago. Elizabeth helped to carry his body to a white van to be transported away. She even talked to his grieving widow! If the man hasn’t been resuscitated , somebody who knows the operation might be the one who wrote that letter!
And finally she decides to confront him! Surprise: her old husband / another spy Douglas needs his help!
20 millions pound worth diamonds are stole from strongroom of Martin Lomax, a shady man they watch. Douglas is the one broke into the house and stuffed the gills with diamonds but he made a mistake by taking off his ski mask in front of surveillance cameras. Now dangerous people are looking for him and he needs bodyguards to get protection! As you may see those bodyguards will be our genius pensioners!
But you may imagine nothing goes as it planned, dead bodies start piling up and our genius foursome find themselves into complex espionage scheme, fighting against real dangerous criminals. Could they survive? Fingers crossed! I don’t want to lose my favorite characters so early!
First book was just warming up to those characters and their unique skills to solve the crimes. But I think at this second book, I got emotionally invested them. Of course the action packed, smart mystery kept my attention intact.
So this time I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5 kick ass, genius, favorite British pensioners stars!
So many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking/ Pamela Dorman Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
November 28, 2022
November 2022
5⭐️
Reading Vlog https://youtu.be/8Mj3FEacz2Q
I love these characters so damn much. Out of the 3 I've read so far, this one stands out spectacularly.
It's hilarious and heart warming and heart breaking.
Ibrahim, Bopgdan, Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce, Connie, UGH! I love them ALL!
If you're a character driven reader then I highly suggest this series.
"Here's my promise to you. With Joyce as my witness - and it's not a promise friends should have to make - if I ever find someone shot, I will call you. I will call you because you're my mate, and that's what mates do. Two in the morning, I don't care, I find a corpse, I pick up the phone: 'Elizabeth, there's a corpse on the landing, on the bowls lawn, doesn't matter where, slip on a pair of shoes and come and take a look.' I am absolutely fuming."
April 2022
4.5⭐
I LOVED THIS!
I need to reread the first book cause I gave that 3.5 stars. Was I wrong? Or does the second book just have my specific tropes?
The characters are smart and witty and chaotic. The plot had me sad then happy at breakneck turns. These characters are so compelling and wholesome while also being the type of morally grey that only truly intelligent people are.
5⭐️
Reading Vlog https://youtu.be/8Mj3FEacz2Q
I love these characters so damn much. Out of the 3 I've read so far, this one stands out spectacularly.
It's hilarious and heart warming and heart breaking.
Ibrahim, Bopgdan, Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce, Connie, UGH! I love them ALL!
If you're a character driven reader then I highly suggest this series.
"Here's my promise to you. With Joyce as my witness - and it's not a promise friends should have to make - if I ever find someone shot, I will call you. I will call you because you're my mate, and that's what mates do. Two in the morning, I don't care, I find a corpse, I pick up the phone: 'Elizabeth, there's a corpse on the landing, on the bowls lawn, doesn't matter where, slip on a pair of shoes and come and take a look.' I am absolutely fuming."
April 2022
4.5⭐
I LOVED THIS!
I need to reread the first book cause I gave that 3.5 stars. Was I wrong? Or does the second book just have my specific tropes?
The characters are smart and witty and chaotic. The plot had me sad then happy at breakneck turns. These characters are so compelling and wholesome while also being the type of morally grey that only truly intelligent people are.
September 28, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
My favorite septuagenarians are back in this sequel to The Thursday Murder Club, which is just as entertaining and loveable.
The following Thursday, Elizabeth receives a letter from someone from her past. She realizes it’s a former colleague whom she has a deep history with. He has stolen $20 million worth of diamonds and needs her to protect him from the violent man who is eager to get them back.
Elizabeth decides that this is the perfect project for The Thursday Murder Club, and quickly enlists the help of Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron. They’re all thrilled to be working a case again after things quiet down at their retirement community.
Then, Ibrahim is attacked and his phone is stolen. Elizabeth brings in cops Chris and Donna and a few others to not only help with the stolen diamonds case, but to also make sure the thug who attacked Ibrahim pays the price.
Nobody messes with this squad and gets away with it!
In my review for The Thursday Murder Club, I wrote, “One word for this book, along with the four main characters: Charming.” That stands true here as well.
What I love about this one is that we already know the characters to a point, and it was so fun seeing them settle into their friendships. Each one of them has a strength that makes their group tighter. It was also a real treat to see Chris, Donna and Bogdan back for more fun...along with some new and interesting characters.
There are plenty of laugh-out-loud funny moments, along with heart and depth. The mystery is a fun one to try and crack, and I enjoyed attempting to use my detective skills once again. I loved this one from start to finish, and adored the humorous and thoughtful author acknowledgements section.
I already can’t wait for a third installment (there better be a 3rd!!). If you read and loved The Thursday Murder Club, then I highly suggest devouring this one when it is released on: 9/28/21.
Thank you to Penguin/Viking for providing me with a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
My favorite septuagenarians are back in this sequel to The Thursday Murder Club, which is just as entertaining and loveable.
The following Thursday, Elizabeth receives a letter from someone from her past. She realizes it’s a former colleague whom she has a deep history with. He has stolen $20 million worth of diamonds and needs her to protect him from the violent man who is eager to get them back.
Elizabeth decides that this is the perfect project for The Thursday Murder Club, and quickly enlists the help of Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron. They’re all thrilled to be working a case again after things quiet down at their retirement community.
Then, Ibrahim is attacked and his phone is stolen. Elizabeth brings in cops Chris and Donna and a few others to not only help with the stolen diamonds case, but to also make sure the thug who attacked Ibrahim pays the price.
Nobody messes with this squad and gets away with it!
In my review for The Thursday Murder Club, I wrote, “One word for this book, along with the four main characters: Charming.” That stands true here as well.
What I love about this one is that we already know the characters to a point, and it was so fun seeing them settle into their friendships. Each one of them has a strength that makes their group tighter. It was also a real treat to see Chris, Donna and Bogdan back for more fun...along with some new and interesting characters.
There are plenty of laugh-out-loud funny moments, along with heart and depth. The mystery is a fun one to try and crack, and I enjoyed attempting to use my detective skills once again. I loved this one from start to finish, and adored the humorous and thoughtful author acknowledgements section.
I already can’t wait for a third installment (there better be a 3rd!!). If you read and loved The Thursday Murder Club, then I highly suggest devouring this one when it is released on: 9/28/21.
Thank you to Penguin/Viking for providing me with a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
December 9, 2022
It’s not often that a murder mystery has me laughing often and out loud. But Osman’s book does exactly that. This is just great fun and a rollicking great mystery to boot. It’s intelligent and heartwarming in equal measures.
I adore the crime solving quartet of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim. Each with their own strength and type of intelligence. Joyce, especially, warmed my heart. The story advances through all four POVs, plus Chris and Donna’s.
When Ibrahim is attacked by a young hoodlum, there’s not much the police can do. But his friends aren’t willing to let him get away with it. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s ex-husband shows up in need of help. The way Osman pulls these dual storylines together is a work of genius. And when the true meaning of the title was revealed, it brought tears to my eyes.
This is the second in the series and this will work much better if you have read them in order.
This makes for a wonderful audiobook. Leslie Manville does a lovely job as a narrator even though she is incapable of doing a realistic man’s voice.
I adore the crime solving quartet of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim. Each with their own strength and type of intelligence. Joyce, especially, warmed my heart. The story advances through all four POVs, plus Chris and Donna’s.
When Ibrahim is attacked by a young hoodlum, there’s not much the police can do. But his friends aren’t willing to let him get away with it. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s ex-husband shows up in need of help. The way Osman pulls these dual storylines together is a work of genius. And when the true meaning of the title was revealed, it brought tears to my eyes.
This is the second in the series and this will work much better if you have read them in order.
This makes for a wonderful audiobook. Leslie Manville does a lovely job as a narrator even though she is incapable of doing a realistic man’s voice.
December 10, 2021
Happy day! My favorite septuagenarian sleuths are back, and I was finally able to see what Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim have been up to since the murder and comical mayhem of The Thursday Murder Club. As one would expect … it’s a lot! Would you expect anything less from this formidable, fiddling four? Of course not.
It’s always a little intimidating reading a sequel to a popular book, because there’s always the danger it will lose some of its shine or run dry on some of the ideas that made its predecessor so successful. I needn’t have worried. Personally, I think this one is even BETTER, and here’s why:
The main characters are established. Whereas The Thursday Murder Club made the introductions and scattered those “get to know you” details that one might enjoy at a party where conversations don’t go too deep, this book is more like a sit-down dinner with a glass of wine, where you really start to get to know your new friends and their histories. I loved finding out more about Elizabeth’s secretive past. She’s a badass! And Joyce. Don’t let her sweet, ditzy manner fool you. She’s got her own skills to bring to the table. Ron and Ibrahim, DCI Chris and Donna, lovable Bogdan … all of them had new layers of their personalities and skills revealed, which made me feel more invested in them and their story.
The new characters are delightful. I liked the extended cast in this one more. Even the ‘baddies’ are fun. Honestly there isn’t a single unlikable character in the bunch (OK, one little punk, but he’s forgettable). Some of the interplay between the opposing sides in this book was laugh out loud funny. Connie? She’s a hoot.
The plot is more fun. It involves a large stash of stolen diamonds, local cops, MI5 spies, the NYC mafia, a disarmingly charming lady crime boss, murder, a return from the dead? … oh, and Joyce trying to figure out Instagram (I dare you not to laugh when you find out her username). What’s not to love? It’s got mystery, intrigue, humor, and a whole lot of heart, and I loved every second of it.
The audio is perfect. Can we just give Lesley Manville all the awards for narrating that exist and be done with it? It’s one thing to be able to voice one or two characters effectively, but to do a large cast of both female and male characters, all with different ages, speech patterns and dialects and to make each one distinctly their own is a true gift, and she’s got it in spades. I would love this book even without audio, but having listened to her narrate both books so far, I can’t imagine it without her now.
This book is fun, it’s charming, it’s so well-written, and it’s safe to say that I’ll follow this series wherever the brilliant mind of Richard Osman wants to take me. One bit of advice: I strongly recommend you read The Thursday Murder Club first, if you haven’t, before reading this. The first book lays so much foundation, and I think it would be difficult to feel invested in the characters and this story without that background. My second bit of advice: Sit back and enjoy!
★★★★★ ❤️
Thanks to my local library and the Libby app for both the Kindle copy and audiobook, which I enjoyed together.
This and all my other reviews can be found at: https://acuriouskatreads.blogspot.com/
It’s always a little intimidating reading a sequel to a popular book, because there’s always the danger it will lose some of its shine or run dry on some of the ideas that made its predecessor so successful. I needn’t have worried. Personally, I think this one is even BETTER, and here’s why:
The main characters are established. Whereas The Thursday Murder Club made the introductions and scattered those “get to know you” details that one might enjoy at a party where conversations don’t go too deep, this book is more like a sit-down dinner with a glass of wine, where you really start to get to know your new friends and their histories. I loved finding out more about Elizabeth’s secretive past. She’s a badass! And Joyce. Don’t let her sweet, ditzy manner fool you. She’s got her own skills to bring to the table. Ron and Ibrahim, DCI Chris and Donna, lovable Bogdan … all of them had new layers of their personalities and skills revealed, which made me feel more invested in them and their story.
The new characters are delightful. I liked the extended cast in this one more. Even the ‘baddies’ are fun. Honestly there isn’t a single unlikable character in the bunch (OK, one little punk, but he’s forgettable). Some of the interplay between the opposing sides in this book was laugh out loud funny. Connie? She’s a hoot.
The plot is more fun. It involves a large stash of stolen diamonds, local cops, MI5 spies, the NYC mafia, a disarmingly charming lady crime boss, murder, a return from the dead? … oh, and Joyce trying to figure out Instagram (I dare you not to laugh when you find out her username). What’s not to love? It’s got mystery, intrigue, humor, and a whole lot of heart, and I loved every second of it.
The audio is perfect. Can we just give Lesley Manville all the awards for narrating that exist and be done with it? It’s one thing to be able to voice one or two characters effectively, but to do a large cast of both female and male characters, all with different ages, speech patterns and dialects and to make each one distinctly their own is a true gift, and she’s got it in spades. I would love this book even without audio, but having listened to her narrate both books so far, I can’t imagine it without her now.
This book is fun, it’s charming, it’s so well-written, and it’s safe to say that I’ll follow this series wherever the brilliant mind of Richard Osman wants to take me. One bit of advice: I strongly recommend you read The Thursday Murder Club first, if you haven’t, before reading this. The first book lays so much foundation, and I think it would be difficult to feel invested in the characters and this story without that background. My second bit of advice: Sit back and enjoy!
★★★★★ ❤️
Thanks to my local library and the Libby app for both the Kindle copy and audiobook, which I enjoyed together.
This and all my other reviews can be found at: https://acuriouskatreads.blogspot.com/
February 4, 2022
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman is a 2021 Penguin publication.
The gang is back for another hilarious and intriguing adventure!
An old acquaintance of Elizabeth’s has shown up back up in her life and needs help. It would appear some diamonds have gone missing, possibly stolen, and everyone imaginable is demanding they be found… or else!
When things turn deadly, Elizabeth calls the troops to action, and naturally, they are eager to help… especially if they can find those diamonds as a bonus to solving a murder!
This book is just as hilarious, maybe more, than the first one! The humor, though, is only part of the package. The heist atmosphere was very well done, with all the intrigue of MI5, the tension surrounding the American mob, adding a great deal of complexity to the mystery.
While it is easy to get wrapped up in the ongoing sagas, the zany humor, and fast-paced plotting, there is also an underlying bittersweet poignancy to the story that deals with the realism of aging.
It sits beneath the surface most of the time, but is very effective when it floats to the top, as a sobering reminder of the limitations and personal background stories of our favorite characters.
This series has much more depth than is perhaps suggested from the synopsis and has occasionally found itself labeled as a cozy- (I think I even categorized the first book as such) Though this book does meet the ‘cozy’ criteria of ‘no graphic violence’, the mystery and the dialogue are whip smart, with an equal balance of intelligence to match the humor and the occasionally seriousness. So don’t underestimate or misconstrue the ‘light’ tone of the series.
In fact, I think all mystery lovers should do themselves a favor and give this series a try, because if you don’t, you are really missing out on something special!
5 stars
The gang is back for another hilarious and intriguing adventure!
An old acquaintance of Elizabeth’s has shown up back up in her life and needs help. It would appear some diamonds have gone missing, possibly stolen, and everyone imaginable is demanding they be found… or else!
When things turn deadly, Elizabeth calls the troops to action, and naturally, they are eager to help… especially if they can find those diamonds as a bonus to solving a murder!
This book is just as hilarious, maybe more, than the first one! The humor, though, is only part of the package. The heist atmosphere was very well done, with all the intrigue of MI5, the tension surrounding the American mob, adding a great deal of complexity to the mystery.
While it is easy to get wrapped up in the ongoing sagas, the zany humor, and fast-paced plotting, there is also an underlying bittersweet poignancy to the story that deals with the realism of aging.
It sits beneath the surface most of the time, but is very effective when it floats to the top, as a sobering reminder of the limitations and personal background stories of our favorite characters.
This series has much more depth than is perhaps suggested from the synopsis and has occasionally found itself labeled as a cozy- (I think I even categorized the first book as such) Though this book does meet the ‘cozy’ criteria of ‘no graphic violence’, the mystery and the dialogue are whip smart, with an equal balance of intelligence to match the humor and the occasionally seriousness. So don’t underestimate or misconstrue the ‘light’ tone of the series.
In fact, I think all mystery lovers should do themselves a favor and give this series a try, because if you don’t, you are really missing out on something special!
5 stars
July 20, 2021
We return to Coopers Chase and our much loved Gang of Four of the Thursday Murder Club, not forgetting the multi talented and unflappable Bogdan and our friendly police officers DCI Chris Hudson, now in love (or lust, or both) with Patrice, mother of PC Donna De Freitas. I’m happy to report that it’s every bit as good as the last one, if not even better. Ex-spy Elizabeth is quiet .... she's received a letter from one Marcus Carmichael which takes her on an unsettling trip down her spook memory lane and gives her much to ponder on especially as Marcus Carmichael is dead. Meanwhile, Chris and Donna are staking out Connie Johnson's drug operation without huge success but all of them are rightly angry and very worried when poor Ibrahim is mugged by local thugs. Add in twenty million quids worth of stolen diamonds and it’s game on for our intrepid group of septuagenarians and their loyal pals.
The plot and pace of this marvellously mad caper is much faster than the first one, there’s more danger and a higher body count. However, what shines through all the nefarious deeds, twists and turns is the love, friendship and respect for this group of smart pensioners. Just because they are in the upper age profile nobody messes with them and gets away with it, they take no prisoners, they are full of vim, vigour, brains and a barrel load of flair and ingenuity. Their all for one and one for all mentality shines through all they do which is heartwarming. Have I mentioned the laughs? There’s plenty of those especially in Joyce’s journal. She’s what my mum would have called ‘a card’ , ‘a darned good tonic’ and ‘a good egg’. It’s so entertaining Joyce has me laughing out loud! The whole escapade is written in such a lively entertaining and engaging way that it’s hard to put down once you start. I love Richard Osman’s wry and clever sense of humour which I’m glad to say crops up with frequency.
So overall, yes Mr O I think you have another best seller here which is no great surprise really as the man is multi talented. This is just the type of book we need right now, well written, a good plot and lots of fun in excellent company. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Random House for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
The plot and pace of this marvellously mad caper is much faster than the first one, there’s more danger and a higher body count. However, what shines through all the nefarious deeds, twists and turns is the love, friendship and respect for this group of smart pensioners. Just because they are in the upper age profile nobody messes with them and gets away with it, they take no prisoners, they are full of vim, vigour, brains and a barrel load of flair and ingenuity. Their all for one and one for all mentality shines through all they do which is heartwarming. Have I mentioned the laughs? There’s plenty of those especially in Joyce’s journal. She’s what my mum would have called ‘a card’ , ‘a darned good tonic’ and ‘a good egg’. It’s so entertaining Joyce has me laughing out loud! The whole escapade is written in such a lively entertaining and engaging way that it’s hard to put down once you start. I love Richard Osman’s wry and clever sense of humour which I’m glad to say crops up with frequency.
So overall, yes Mr O I think you have another best seller here which is no great surprise really as the man is multi talented. This is just the type of book we need right now, well written, a good plot and lots of fun in excellent company. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Random House for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
October 8, 2022
The pre-booked (no pun intended) franchising of book serials produces too many weak series and/or series that get progressively worse each book, the flipside when a series is written well, it becomes bigger than the sum of its parts, welcome to the Thursday Murder Club mystery series :) Club member, Elizabeth's past comes to her retirement complex as drug dealing, mugging (singular), theft, murders (plural) and more shake up (or is that stimulate) the lives of the four elderly Club members, their local police allies and everyone's favourite builder Bogdan, when her former employers Military Intelligence (and her former husband!) come to town!
This book has better murder mystery plotting than the first book but is still overly convoluted as well as being at times trite, but do I care? No! By now surely people are reading this series for this almost pseudo idyllic reality where the eclectic and very lovable cast are bounced off each other to make me, the reader smile? These are feel-good books despite the planned violence and crimes, and in turn that's what makes this book, and I presume series so good, I truly care about the cast and where their journeys will take them. A solid Four Star, 8 out of 12.
2022 read
This book has better murder mystery plotting than the first book but is still overly convoluted as well as being at times trite, but do I care? No! By now surely people are reading this series for this almost pseudo idyllic reality where the eclectic and very lovable cast are bounced off each other to make me, the reader smile? These are feel-good books despite the planned violence and crimes, and in turn that's what makes this book, and I presume series so good, I truly care about the cast and where their journeys will take them. A solid Four Star, 8 out of 12.
2022 read
October 8, 2021
Charming
Richard Osman is a popular TV personality in the UK, and has now released the second book in what is becoming a best-selling series. The Thursday Murder Club was established by four fascinating characters, all seniors, but determined to use their career skills and experience to help solve murder cases. They all live in the Cooper’s Chase retirement community and have formed this special friendship where they value each other as close friends and part of their crime club.
Elizabeth is a former secret agent with MI5, with crucial know-how, instinct, and access to police and British intelligence resources. Joyce is a retired nurse, and she adds a very different perspective on situations and is the perfect person to deal with people, with empathy that puts people at ease. Ron was a union man and a real go-getter with a solid and determined personality. Ibrahim is a former psychiatrist with a unique and treasured ability to read people and their body language. Ibrahim is mugged, and it leaves him frightened to leave his home, and he uses excuses why he can’t participate in outside activities. The personal story of Ibrahim is quite touching and, unfortunately, a horrific reminder that assaults like this do happen to our seniors. The support and care from his group of friends add a sensitive dimension to the story. It also provides the reason local detectives Chris Hudson and Donna De Freitas return, and their friendship and relationships extend the exciting characters surrounding the Thursday Murder Club. Another special friend of the club, is the calm and mysterious Bogdan, someone who always has the means to get something unusual done.
In The Man Who Died Twice , the case isn’t so cold, as they become embroiled in a real live one. Elizabeth is contacted by a former colleague, ex-husband, and ladies’ man, Douglas, after stealing twenty million pounds worth of diamonds from the Mafia. Douglas is being held in a safe house under the supervision of MI5 operatives Sue Reardon and Lance James. The Mafia, a hitman, Lomax, and others also have their sights on getting hold of the diamonds. The twists and surprises that await in this caper are hugely entertaining and intriguing.
The standout characteristic of these books is the clever wit and humour that rolls off every page. The dialogue feels authentic from our elder characters, and the plot is developed to play perfectly between them and their reactions to events and other people. Joyce and Elizabeth steal the show in this one and interact to give a mix of empathy and resourcefulness in their investigation while unquestionably loyal to each other.
The characters, humour, dialogue and compelling plots are going to ensure this series will be eagerly followed. I highly recommend this book, and I want to thank Penguin UK, Viking and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in return for an honest review.
Richard Osman is a popular TV personality in the UK, and has now released the second book in what is becoming a best-selling series. The Thursday Murder Club was established by four fascinating characters, all seniors, but determined to use their career skills and experience to help solve murder cases. They all live in the Cooper’s Chase retirement community and have formed this special friendship where they value each other as close friends and part of their crime club.
Elizabeth is a former secret agent with MI5, with crucial know-how, instinct, and access to police and British intelligence resources. Joyce is a retired nurse, and she adds a very different perspective on situations and is the perfect person to deal with people, with empathy that puts people at ease. Ron was a union man and a real go-getter with a solid and determined personality. Ibrahim is a former psychiatrist with a unique and treasured ability to read people and their body language. Ibrahim is mugged, and it leaves him frightened to leave his home, and he uses excuses why he can’t participate in outside activities. The personal story of Ibrahim is quite touching and, unfortunately, a horrific reminder that assaults like this do happen to our seniors. The support and care from his group of friends add a sensitive dimension to the story. It also provides the reason local detectives Chris Hudson and Donna De Freitas return, and their friendship and relationships extend the exciting characters surrounding the Thursday Murder Club. Another special friend of the club, is the calm and mysterious Bogdan, someone who always has the means to get something unusual done.
In The Man Who Died Twice , the case isn’t so cold, as they become embroiled in a real live one. Elizabeth is contacted by a former colleague, ex-husband, and ladies’ man, Douglas, after stealing twenty million pounds worth of diamonds from the Mafia. Douglas is being held in a safe house under the supervision of MI5 operatives Sue Reardon and Lance James. The Mafia, a hitman, Lomax, and others also have their sights on getting hold of the diamonds. The twists and surprises that await in this caper are hugely entertaining and intriguing.
The standout characteristic of these books is the clever wit and humour that rolls off every page. The dialogue feels authentic from our elder characters, and the plot is developed to play perfectly between them and their reactions to events and other people. Joyce and Elizabeth steal the show in this one and interact to give a mix of empathy and resourcefulness in their investigation while unquestionably loyal to each other.
The characters, humour, dialogue and compelling plots are going to ensure this series will be eagerly followed. I highly recommend this book, and I want to thank Penguin UK, Viking and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in return for an honest review.
August 26, 2021
The second mystery solved by a group of senior citizens is even better than the first one. The four friends manage to find, with a little support from the police, the culprit behind a double murder. I did enjoy the interactions and the way the magnificent four perceive the world. Some moments had me chuckle for which I am grateful to Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim.
Highly recommend!
A big thank-you to Richard Osman, Penguin General, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Highly recommend!
A big thank-you to Richard Osman, Penguin General, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
October 27, 2021
This is the perfect follow up to The Thursday Murder Club. All of our favourite characters are back with their smart investigative skills, their humour and their camaraderie.
This time round the group is dragged into an investigation when Elizabeth receives a letter from her ex husband, who has apparently stolen twenty million dollars worth of diamonds and thus aggravated several prominent crime bosses and maybe MI5 as well. Elizabeth feels obliged to help and calls in all her troops to assist.
Joyce is there of course, making her diary comments, keeping an eye on Elizabeth's wellbeing, and selling badly knitted friendship bracelets for charity. Ibrahim and Ron play their parts and the amazing Bogdan is always there when he is needed. Our friendly police duo, Donna and Chris, also help out when they can.
The mystery of the diamonds is twisted and smart but Elizabeth is smarter. She is such a brilliant character. I did however enjoy watching her lose out to Patrice and Donna over one particular issue. It made her more human, although her beautiful relationship with Stephen does that too.
Altogether a great read with an interesting mystery, lots of humour, delightful characters and a perfect ending. If I ever have to move into a retirement village I want to go to Cooper's Chase.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This time round the group is dragged into an investigation when Elizabeth receives a letter from her ex husband, who has apparently stolen twenty million dollars worth of diamonds and thus aggravated several prominent crime bosses and maybe MI5 as well. Elizabeth feels obliged to help and calls in all her troops to assist.
Joyce is there of course, making her diary comments, keeping an eye on Elizabeth's wellbeing, and selling badly knitted friendship bracelets for charity. Ibrahim and Ron play their parts and the amazing Bogdan is always there when he is needed. Our friendly police duo, Donna and Chris, also help out when they can.
The mystery of the diamonds is twisted and smart but Elizabeth is smarter. She is such a brilliant character. I did however enjoy watching her lose out to Patrice and Donna over one particular issue. It made her more human, although her beautiful relationship with Stephen does that too.
Altogether a great read with an interesting mystery, lots of humour, delightful characters and a perfect ending. If I ever have to move into a retirement village I want to go to Cooper's Chase.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 23, 2022
I gave the Thursday Murder Club another chance but now I know this series is just not for me!! It was a great bedtime read because it put me to sleep very quickly :D.
What's your favourite cosy mystery? Not sure if it's just this series or the genre that's not for me
What I enjoyed
• Compared to the first one, the pace was faster and there was more happening. The first 30% kept me interested as there were gradual reveals.
• I liked how the different subplots intertwined in the end.
What I didn't enjoy
• There wasn’t enough setting around the Coopers Chase retirement home and the Thursday Murder Club gathering like there was in book 1. The characters Ron, Ibrahim, Elizabeth and Joyce sounded similar, if their dialogue was mixed up I wouldn’t notice.
• Why does it switch between third person to first person Joyce’s diary? A shift in writing style makes me expect some sort of development or reveal. However her chapters were incredibly boring and there wasn’t anything new to learn. But for people who enjoy the charm of these characters then Joyce’s chapters would be entertaining.
• There was a lot of meandering and tangents that I kept on losing focus. Beyond the 30% mark or so, the investigation and reveals were light and didn’t hook me in.
Recommendation
Overall I would recommend this if you enjoy light mysteries with humour, don’t take themselves too seriously and don’t mind some tangents. If you liked book 1 then I think you'll likely enjoy this too! :)
Many thanks to Penguin General UK and NetGally for the ARC
What's your favourite cosy mystery? Not sure if it's just this series or the genre that's not for me
What I enjoyed
• Compared to the first one, the pace was faster and there was more happening. The first 30% kept me interested as there were gradual reveals.
• I liked how the different subplots intertwined in the end.
What I didn't enjoy
• There wasn’t enough setting around the Coopers Chase retirement home and the Thursday Murder Club gathering like there was in book 1. The characters Ron, Ibrahim, Elizabeth and Joyce sounded similar, if their dialogue was mixed up I wouldn’t notice.
• Why does it switch between third person to first person Joyce’s diary? A shift in writing style makes me expect some sort of development or reveal. However her chapters were incredibly boring and there wasn’t anything new to learn. But for people who enjoy the charm of these characters then Joyce’s chapters would be entertaining.
• There was a lot of meandering and tangents that I kept on losing focus. Beyond the 30% mark or so, the investigation and reveals were light and didn’t hook me in.
Recommendation
Overall I would recommend this if you enjoy light mysteries with humour, don’t take themselves too seriously and don’t mind some tangents. If you liked book 1 then I think you'll likely enjoy this too! :)
Many thanks to Penguin General UK and NetGally for the ARC
October 23, 2024
❤️💙🖤❤️💙🖤❤️💙🖤❤️💙🖤❤️💙🖤❤️💙🖤❤️
After reading The Thursday Murder Club last month, I knew I needed to continue with this series right away.
I fell in love with the characters, the retirement community setting and the compelling mystery that played out.
The Man Who Died Twice is the second book of the series and dare I say, I enjoyed it even more than the first, which I loved. It seems the more time I spend with these characters, the more invested I become.
In this story we are reunited with Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim, shortly after the events of Book 1. The impetus to this adventure is Elizabeth receiving a letter from an old colleague/flame, who finds himself in a bit of a bind and is hoping for her assistance.
There's $20,000,000 in diamonds and mobsters involved, of course, because what fun would it be otherwise?
We meet Douglas, the old flame, along with his partner Poppy. Ibrahim has a scary run in outside of Cooper's Chase that makes him reevaluate everything. Donna and Chris are actively trying to nab a local drug lord.
There's a lot going on, but all of the varying plot-lines blended together perfectly. Osman made it comfortable to read and engaging throughout.
I never had times were I was in one perspective wishing to get back to another, which can happen with stories that switch perspectives frequently.
Elizabeth, Joyce and their friendship were again the stars of the show for me, although I do really love everyone.
Additionally, I feel like we got to know Donna and Chris, the local detectives who have befriended the Murder Club, a bit more. I really enjoy both of their characters. Donna is struggling a bit with her place in life and Chris's new relationship with Donna's mother, Patrice.
I actually felt it was important for us to hear her struggles. I liked to see that vulnerability from her. It made her relationships with the people in the Murder Club seem that much more important now. I get it, Donna. I see you.
It was also so fun having more Bogdan. Bogdan, a Polish man of many useful talents, helps around Cooper's Chase and in this one, is particularly helpful to Elizabeth. Their relationship is so special.
I guess you can probably spot the theme here. Even though this is a super fun mystery, at it's heart this is a story of people making their way in the world and the special bonds they've formed with one another.
It has filled my heart reading both of these books and I'm so looking forward to picking up the third!
I definitely recommend this series and highly recommend the audiobooks. The narration is fabulously done and overall, it's just a super engaging listening experience!!
After reading The Thursday Murder Club last month, I knew I needed to continue with this series right away.
I fell in love with the characters, the retirement community setting and the compelling mystery that played out.
The Man Who Died Twice is the second book of the series and dare I say, I enjoyed it even more than the first, which I loved. It seems the more time I spend with these characters, the more invested I become.
In this story we are reunited with Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim, shortly after the events of Book 1. The impetus to this adventure is Elizabeth receiving a letter from an old colleague/flame, who finds himself in a bit of a bind and is hoping for her assistance.
There's $20,000,000 in diamonds and mobsters involved, of course, because what fun would it be otherwise?
We meet Douglas, the old flame, along with his partner Poppy. Ibrahim has a scary run in outside of Cooper's Chase that makes him reevaluate everything. Donna and Chris are actively trying to nab a local drug lord.
There's a lot going on, but all of the varying plot-lines blended together perfectly. Osman made it comfortable to read and engaging throughout.
I never had times were I was in one perspective wishing to get back to another, which can happen with stories that switch perspectives frequently.
Elizabeth, Joyce and their friendship were again the stars of the show for me, although I do really love everyone.
Additionally, I feel like we got to know Donna and Chris, the local detectives who have befriended the Murder Club, a bit more. I really enjoy both of their characters. Donna is struggling a bit with her place in life and Chris's new relationship with Donna's mother, Patrice.
I actually felt it was important for us to hear her struggles. I liked to see that vulnerability from her. It made her relationships with the people in the Murder Club seem that much more important now. I get it, Donna. I see you.
It was also so fun having more Bogdan. Bogdan, a Polish man of many useful talents, helps around Cooper's Chase and in this one, is particularly helpful to Elizabeth. Their relationship is so special.
I guess you can probably spot the theme here. Even though this is a super fun mystery, at it's heart this is a story of people making their way in the world and the special bonds they've formed with one another.
It has filled my heart reading both of these books and I'm so looking forward to picking up the third!
I definitely recommend this series and highly recommend the audiobooks. The narration is fabulously done and overall, it's just a super engaging listening experience!!
November 6, 2021
All my favorite characters from The Thursday Murder Club #1 are back at Coopers Chase and solving murders!
I can't get enough of these characters. They grew on me even more in this second installment. Yes they are all in their seventies, but what a team they are!
This one is not quite as cozy as the first, with some new baddies, a mafia angle, stolen diamonds, cryptic messages, a lady drug dealer, spies and a perplexing double murder! Slightly dizzying with misdirection and multiple subplots and lots of opining.
We have more tension in the plot this time around. We get laugh out loud moments and some sorrow. The charm is still in how they tackle life, friendship, and everyday struggles. We even get a new rescue dog, Alan!
I'm already looking forward to the next!
Own it/ Read in November 2021
I can't get enough of these characters. They grew on me even more in this second installment. Yes they are all in their seventies, but what a team they are!
This one is not quite as cozy as the first, with some new baddies, a mafia angle, stolen diamonds, cryptic messages, a lady drug dealer, spies and a perplexing double murder! Slightly dizzying with misdirection and multiple subplots and lots of opining.
We have more tension in the plot this time around. We get laugh out loud moments and some sorrow. The charm is still in how they tackle life, friendship, and everyday struggles. We even get a new rescue dog, Alan!
I'm already looking forward to the next!
Own it/ Read in November 2021
February 9, 2022
"The Man Who Died Twice" by Richard Osman is Book #2 in the 'Thursday Murder Club' series!
The Thursday Murder Club is out there, again, super sleuthing and being amazing! Septuagenarians, Elizabeth, Ron, Ibraham and Joyce, are on a new case and they have their hands full with this one! Or, is it more than one case?
A brutal mugging, an unexpected visitor from the past, stolen diamonds, mafia-types, a lady drug-dealer/crime boss, and a trigger-happy killer! The bodies keep dropping and the culprits keep disappearing without a trace...
This story is told in a third person blow-by-blow with Joyce's entertaining journal entries peppered in. Joyce has both a way with words and a knack for veering slightly off-course as she writes. This character is such a quirky delight! My favorite, I think!
My personal opinion is this one is better than the first book. One whole star better! The pace is faster, it jumps and flies all over the place and the action doesn't slow down until the end. There are reoccurring characters from the previous book and lots of new ones. And, again, the mystery has twists that keep you guessing through to the end.
I love both books, but what makes this one so special is how this group is developing a fondness for one another. They truly care about each other and it's wonderful seeing their friendships grow. Kudos to the author for showing a softer side to his writing!
I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Lesley Manville. Her genre voicing and voice inflections deliver the right amount of drama and humor to the listener. It's such a great performance, I plan to listen to the audiobook when the next book in this series is published!
All the stars and I highly recommend this book and series to all readers!
The Thursday Murder Club is out there, again, super sleuthing and being amazing! Septuagenarians, Elizabeth, Ron, Ibraham and Joyce, are on a new case and they have their hands full with this one! Or, is it more than one case?
A brutal mugging, an unexpected visitor from the past, stolen diamonds, mafia-types, a lady drug-dealer/crime boss, and a trigger-happy killer! The bodies keep dropping and the culprits keep disappearing without a trace...
This story is told in a third person blow-by-blow with Joyce's entertaining journal entries peppered in. Joyce has both a way with words and a knack for veering slightly off-course as she writes. This character is such a quirky delight! My favorite, I think!
My personal opinion is this one is better than the first book. One whole star better! The pace is faster, it jumps and flies all over the place and the action doesn't slow down until the end. There are reoccurring characters from the previous book and lots of new ones. And, again, the mystery has twists that keep you guessing through to the end.
I love both books, but what makes this one so special is how this group is developing a fondness for one another. They truly care about each other and it's wonderful seeing their friendships grow. Kudos to the author for showing a softer side to his writing!
I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Lesley Manville. Her genre voicing and voice inflections deliver the right amount of drama and humor to the listener. It's such a great performance, I plan to listen to the audiobook when the next book in this series is published!
All the stars and I highly recommend this book and series to all readers!
September 12, 2024
Satisfaction Guaranteed!
The Man Who Died Twice is a much better book than The Thursday Murder Club. If that is possible.
The gang of septuagenarians and their friends are on the trail of diamonds. And the book is full of suspense, high jinks and hilarity.
I’m highly amused at the thoughts of the characters. Spoken, or unspoken. And the dialogue is epic.
With the investigation going into multiple directions and chaos going on around every corner, it’s a mystery how the cases are even solved.
Yes, there are multiple ongoing cases which requires the Club’s attention, but they get through it.
The author amplifies the shenanigans of the characters in this book, and none of the multiple stories seem out of place.
Everything comes together beautifully.
Five fantastic stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
The Man Who Died Twice is a much better book than The Thursday Murder Club. If that is possible.
The gang of septuagenarians and their friends are on the trail of diamonds. And the book is full of suspense, high jinks and hilarity.
I’m highly amused at the thoughts of the characters. Spoken, or unspoken. And the dialogue is epic.
With the investigation going into multiple directions and chaos going on around every corner, it’s a mystery how the cases are even solved.
Yes, there are multiple ongoing cases which requires the Club’s attention, but they get through it.
The author amplifies the shenanigans of the characters in this book, and none of the multiple stories seem out of place.
Everything comes together beautifully.
Five fantastic stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
March 3, 2022
4.5/5
i bloody love this man.
i wonder what i must look like in the corner of a coffee shop giggling to myself every 5 minutes?? well it’s a rare sight to see but richard is the only author who has been able to make it happen twice for me.
i guess i’m the girl who laughed twice :)
i bloody love this man.
i wonder what i must look like in the corner of a coffee shop giggling to myself every 5 minutes?? well it’s a rare sight to see but richard is the only author who has been able to make it happen twice for me.
i guess i’m the girl who laughed twice :)
October 6, 2023
Very much in the vein of the series. Well sure, you say. It's book two. Due to circumstance, I happened to read book three (The Bullet That Missed), then went back for second helpings (haha, see what I did there?). And, much like any time one goes for second helpings, I started to question my decision-making. I felt I would have been just a little bit better served had I waited a little longer for things to settle in the stomach, if you will.
"'You will understand, ma’am, better than most people, that I have orders.”'
'Poppy—firstly, call me Elizabeth. Secondly, I haven’t seen you get an order right in two weeks, so why change now? Now, let’s hear this story, and I’ll tell you if I accept the job. And then I’ll tell my friends, but you mustn’t worry yourself.'”
Not a bad book, certainly. As my mother notes, "I felt it jumped around a lot," and jump around it certainly does. Largely limited third person, it jumps around in all the major players' heads--and I do mean all: Elizabeth, former M15 agent, DCI Chris Hudson; Ibrahim the psychiatrist; Connie Johnson, drug dealer; Martin Lomax, broker; PC Donna; Douglas Middlemiss, M15 agent; Ron, professional gadfly; Bogdan Jankowski, Polish builder and man of many abilities; Patrice, teacher and girlfriend; Stephen, Elizabeth's husband; and probably a few others I'm skipping. In between we have Joyce's first person diary entries. It's all terribly amusing and Oscar Wilde-ish, lots of banter and disarming openness that conceals all sorts of shenanigans.
“'Specifically, we have to look at the chances of your life expectancy exceeding the life expectancy of a medium dog.'
'It’s a mystery to me why you never got married, old son,” says Ron to Ibrahim, and takes the bottle of white wine from the cooler on the table. “With that silver tongue of yours. Top-up, anyone?'”
The plot is completely ridiculous, of course, and therein lies my biggest concern with the series. In this one in particular, there's a bit of violence and a number of dead bodies and I just felt like, well, I don't think real people would continue to go along. In particular, I'm not sure the characters he's created here would continue to go along. It's one thing to solve historical murders that have present implications. It's another entirely to get involved with James Bond-level heists and commensurate level killings. Resist the attempt to escalate, Osman. It does you no favors.
"I am learning that it is important to stop sometimes and just have a drink and a gossip with friends, even as corpses start to pile up around you. Which they have been doing a lot recently."
I do love the moments of reflection that can happen. In this one, Ibrahim reflects on risk, and various characters reflect on relationships, love and forgetting. Character creation is a standout. Joyce remains unbelievably daffy at times, but I will admit she stole my heart with her diary entry after her train trip to Belgium:
"We had to head back to the station but, on the way, I bought some chocolate for Ibrahim and some beer for Ron. The shop even wrapped them nicely.
I thought we might sleep on the train back, but honestly we were talking... Who will be the first to work it out?
It was quite a long journey back, so somewhere in northern France I unwrapped Ibrahim's chocolates and we ate them, and then I unwrapped Ron's beers and we drank them."
Dearest Joyce. I've totally done that, although not with Ron's beers.
Three and a half stars.
Update October 2023: Reread because I needed a low-key read and the e-library had pushed it to me. You know what? It held up despite having read earlier in the year. Actually, the convoluted plotting (made more so by multiple viewpoints) was easier to follow. Solid three stars that I could round up or down depending on reading mood. This time, I'll go up. ;)
"'You will understand, ma’am, better than most people, that I have orders.”'
'Poppy—firstly, call me Elizabeth. Secondly, I haven’t seen you get an order right in two weeks, so why change now? Now, let’s hear this story, and I’ll tell you if I accept the job. And then I’ll tell my friends, but you mustn’t worry yourself.'”
Not a bad book, certainly. As my mother notes, "I felt it jumped around a lot," and jump around it certainly does. Largely limited third person, it jumps around in all the major players' heads--and I do mean all: Elizabeth, former M15 agent, DCI Chris Hudson; Ibrahim the psychiatrist; Connie Johnson, drug dealer; Martin Lomax, broker; PC Donna; Douglas Middlemiss, M15 agent; Ron, professional gadfly; Bogdan Jankowski, Polish builder and man of many abilities; Patrice, teacher and girlfriend; Stephen, Elizabeth's husband; and probably a few others I'm skipping. In between we have Joyce's first person diary entries. It's all terribly amusing and Oscar Wilde-ish, lots of banter and disarming openness that conceals all sorts of shenanigans.
“'Specifically, we have to look at the chances of your life expectancy exceeding the life expectancy of a medium dog.'
'It’s a mystery to me why you never got married, old son,” says Ron to Ibrahim, and takes the bottle of white wine from the cooler on the table. “With that silver tongue of yours. Top-up, anyone?'”
The plot is completely ridiculous, of course, and therein lies my biggest concern with the series. In this one in particular, there's a bit of violence and a number of dead bodies and I just felt like, well, I don't think real people would continue to go along. In particular, I'm not sure the characters he's created here would continue to go along. It's one thing to solve historical murders that have present implications. It's another entirely to get involved with James Bond-level heists and commensurate level killings. Resist the attempt to escalate, Osman. It does you no favors.
"I am learning that it is important to stop sometimes and just have a drink and a gossip with friends, even as corpses start to pile up around you. Which they have been doing a lot recently."
I do love the moments of reflection that can happen. In this one, Ibrahim reflects on risk, and various characters reflect on relationships, love and forgetting. Character creation is a standout. Joyce remains unbelievably daffy at times, but I will admit she stole my heart with her diary entry after her train trip to Belgium:
"We had to head back to the station but, on the way, I bought some chocolate for Ibrahim and some beer for Ron. The shop even wrapped them nicely.
I thought we might sleep on the train back, but honestly we were talking... Who will be the first to work it out?
It was quite a long journey back, so somewhere in northern France I unwrapped Ibrahim's chocolates and we ate them, and then I unwrapped Ron's beers and we drank them."
Dearest Joyce. I've totally done that, although not with Ron's beers.
Three and a half stars.
Update October 2023: Reread because I needed a low-key read and the e-library had pushed it to me. You know what? It held up despite having read earlier in the year. Actually, the convoluted plotting (made more so by multiple viewpoints) was easier to follow. Solid three stars that I could round up or down depending on reading mood. This time, I'll go up. ;)
January 21, 2022
As i venture into this amazing series i am getting to love this series more & more The characters development is better & the plotlines even crazier, this time the craziness continues with Elizabeth a m15 special ops with Joyce her follower doing everything she can to solve two murders
& lost diamonds .
Poor Ibrahim in hospital after being brutally attacked & a string of suspects who put him there i felt so sorry for him but he does his part as an IT expert DCI Chris Hudson & PC Donna Defreitas are back to solve the crimes with the help of Elizabeth... yes she can't be out of the limelight her bossy personality gets her & Joyce into a mess at times but i absolutely love both characters i couldn't stop laughing, all in all a 5 stars from me this series is only going to get better its such a light hearted series that gets you in quickly.
& lost diamonds .
Poor Ibrahim in hospital after being brutally attacked & a string of suspects who put him there i felt so sorry for him but he does his part as an IT expert DCI Chris Hudson & PC Donna Defreitas are back to solve the crimes with the help of Elizabeth... yes she can't be out of the limelight her bossy personality gets her & Joyce into a mess at times but i absolutely love both characters i couldn't stop laughing, all in all a 5 stars from me this series is only going to get better its such a light hearted series that gets you in quickly.
September 22, 2021
EXCERPT: The nights are beginning to draw in a little, and the sun is sinking behind the trees on top of the hill as Elizabeth reaches Ruskin Court and rings the bell for number 14. Here goes nothing. There is a brief wait and she is buzzed up.
There are lifts in all the buildings, but Elizabeth will use the stairs while she still can. Stairs are good for hip and knee flexibility. Also it is very easy to kill someone in a lift when the doors open. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and a ping to announce that you're about to appear. Not that she's worried about being killed, it doesn't feel to her like that's what's happening here, but it's always important to remember best practice. Elizabeth has never killed anyone in a lift. She once saw someone pushed down an empty lift shaft in Essen, but that was different.
She turns left at the top of the stairs, transfers the flowers to her left hand and knocks on the door of number 14. Who will answer the door? What is the story here? Should she be worried?
The door opens, and she sees a very familiar face.
It's not Marcus Carmichael, how could it have been? But it is certainly someone who knew the name Marcus Carmichael. And who knew it would get her attention.
And it turns out that, yes, she should be worried.
ABOUT 'THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE': It's the following Thursday.
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.
As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus?
But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?
MY THOUGHTS: I just loved The Thursday Murder Club, but approached The Man Who Died Twice (don't you just love that title!) with just a modicum of apprehension. Would the author fall victim to the second book syndrome? He didn't. Osman hasn't put one word wrong.
I love these characters, and the fact that we learn a lot more about them in the course of the book. Am I allowed to admit that as I was reading I was hearing Penelope Keith's voice as Elizabeth?
This disparate club of characters will delight, charm and amuse. There were times I felt afraid for them, times when they amazed me. Never are they predictable.
I am not going to waste any more time talking about this book, other than to say 'Read it!' This is the book we all need.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheManWhoDiedTwice #NetGalley
I: @misterosman @penguinrandomhouse
T: @richardosman @PenguinUKBooks
#fivestarread #contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #humour #murdermystery #mystery #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Richard Thomas Osman is an English comedian, producer, television presenter, writer, and the creator and co-presenter of the BBC One television quiz show Pointless.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Penguin General UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
There are lifts in all the buildings, but Elizabeth will use the stairs while she still can. Stairs are good for hip and knee flexibility. Also it is very easy to kill someone in a lift when the doors open. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and a ping to announce that you're about to appear. Not that she's worried about being killed, it doesn't feel to her like that's what's happening here, but it's always important to remember best practice. Elizabeth has never killed anyone in a lift. She once saw someone pushed down an empty lift shaft in Essen, but that was different.
She turns left at the top of the stairs, transfers the flowers to her left hand and knocks on the door of number 14. Who will answer the door? What is the story here? Should she be worried?
The door opens, and she sees a very familiar face.
It's not Marcus Carmichael, how could it have been? But it is certainly someone who knew the name Marcus Carmichael. And who knew it would get her attention.
And it turns out that, yes, she should be worried.
ABOUT 'THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE': It's the following Thursday.
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.
As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus?
But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?
MY THOUGHTS: I just loved The Thursday Murder Club, but approached The Man Who Died Twice (don't you just love that title!) with just a modicum of apprehension. Would the author fall victim to the second book syndrome? He didn't. Osman hasn't put one word wrong.
I love these characters, and the fact that we learn a lot more about them in the course of the book. Am I allowed to admit that as I was reading I was hearing Penelope Keith's voice as Elizabeth?
This disparate club of characters will delight, charm and amuse. There were times I felt afraid for them, times when they amazed me. Never are they predictable.
I am not going to waste any more time talking about this book, other than to say 'Read it!' This is the book we all need.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheManWhoDiedTwice #NetGalley
I: @misterosman @penguinrandomhouse
T: @richardosman @PenguinUKBooks
#fivestarread #contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #humour #murdermystery #mystery #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Richard Thomas Osman is an English comedian, producer, television presenter, writer, and the creator and co-presenter of the BBC One television quiz show Pointless.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Penguin General UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
January 2, 2022
“I am learning that it is important to stop sometimes, and just have a drink and a gossip with your friends, even as corpses start to pile up around you.”
The gang are back at it! Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce and Ibrahim. When Elizabeth receives a mysterious letter from a man presumed dead. The person she meets is a blast from her past and has brought a world of trouble with him.
With diamonds, MI5, cocaine dealers and local thugs the members of the Thursday Murder Club have their hands full.
With lots of laughs alongside all the drama, o thoroughly enjoyed my next visit to Coopers Chase and look forward to reading more.
*********************
“Library copy is in transit.”
Woop!!! 😊😀
The gang are back at it! Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce and Ibrahim. When Elizabeth receives a mysterious letter from a man presumed dead. The person she meets is a blast from her past and has brought a world of trouble with him.
With diamonds, MI5, cocaine dealers and local thugs the members of the Thursday Murder Club have their hands full.
With lots of laughs alongside all the drama, o thoroughly enjoyed my next visit to Coopers Chase and look forward to reading more.
*********************
“Library copy is in transit.”
Woop!!! 😊😀
September 18, 2022
4.5⭐️
This was such a fun read! I started Richard Osman’s The Man Who Died Twice right after finishing with The Thursday Murder Club which I truly enjoyed. The second book in the series does not disappoint.
The Thursday Murder Club - Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce and Ibrahim are embroiled in a new adventure when a person from Elizabeth’s past slips a note through her door asking to meet. What follows is a gripping mystery involving a double murder and missing diamonds, mobsters and mafia connections, MI5 agents gone rogue and twists and turns at every corner that keep you guessing till the very end. In a separate incident Ibrahim is brutally attacked and mugged by a local ruffian that leads to him being hospitalized and then recuperating at home. This propels his friends on a mission to find the person responsible for their friend’s condition and make sure he is punished. PC Donna de Freitas and DCI Chris Hudson along with their friend Bogdan all come to aid the investigations in their own capacities.
I loved Bogdan’s interactions with Stephen, Elizabeth’s husband who is mostly homebound and suffering from dementia. Ibrahim, though homebound, has a meaningful role to play in aiding his friends while dealing with his own trauma from his attack. I enjoyed getting to know more about Elizabeth’s past and her ‘connections’ which was not so subtly hinted at in the first book.
It was a pleasure to return to Coopers Chase Retirement Village and get to spend more time with the Club members and their friends. I just love the energy , compassion, wisdom and intelligence of this group of elderly (in age but not in spirit) sleuths who don’t let age dictate the way they spend their days .
With a perfect mix of interesting characters, mystery , intrigue and humor The Man Who Died Twice is an engaging novel. I liked this one even more than the first in the series and will be waiting eagerly for the next installment!
This was such a fun read! I started Richard Osman’s The Man Who Died Twice right after finishing with The Thursday Murder Club which I truly enjoyed. The second book in the series does not disappoint.
The Thursday Murder Club - Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce and Ibrahim are embroiled in a new adventure when a person from Elizabeth’s past slips a note through her door asking to meet. What follows is a gripping mystery involving a double murder and missing diamonds, mobsters and mafia connections, MI5 agents gone rogue and twists and turns at every corner that keep you guessing till the very end. In a separate incident Ibrahim is brutally attacked and mugged by a local ruffian that leads to him being hospitalized and then recuperating at home. This propels his friends on a mission to find the person responsible for their friend’s condition and make sure he is punished. PC Donna de Freitas and DCI Chris Hudson along with their friend Bogdan all come to aid the investigations in their own capacities.
I loved Bogdan’s interactions with Stephen, Elizabeth’s husband who is mostly homebound and suffering from dementia. Ibrahim, though homebound, has a meaningful role to play in aiding his friends while dealing with his own trauma from his attack. I enjoyed getting to know more about Elizabeth’s past and her ‘connections’ which was not so subtly hinted at in the first book.
It was a pleasure to return to Coopers Chase Retirement Village and get to spend more time with the Club members and their friends. I just love the energy , compassion, wisdom and intelligence of this group of elderly (in age but not in spirit) sleuths who don’t let age dictate the way they spend their days .
With a perfect mix of interesting characters, mystery , intrigue and humor The Man Who Died Twice is an engaging novel. I liked this one even more than the first in the series and will be waiting eagerly for the next installment!
April 6, 2024
5★
“We’re getting the 2.30 bus into Brighton, and we’ll get out by the big M&S and walk into Hove. Elizabeth has said, ‘Strictly no shopping, Joyce,’ so we’re certainly on business of some sort.
What sort of business though? Diamonds? Murder? Perhaps a bit of both? That would be nice.”
Joyce’s diary. Her first-person observations are a chatty way to bring us up to speed with the activities of the Thursday Murder Club of whom readers have became so fond. The four elderly residents of the Coopers Chase Retirement Village are back!
This story opens with our favourite psychiatrist, Ibrahim, being knocked down by a cyclist who grabs his phone and makes off with it. For good measure, a couple of other hoodlums run past, laughing, pausing to kick him while he’s down. At nearly 80, Ibrahim suffers not only considerable injuries, but his confidence is badly shaken.
“Who bought stolen phones? Ibrahim had a Tetris app on his phone. There were 200 levels, and he was on level 127 after playing for a considerable amount of time. All of that progress was lost.”
Ron, on the other hand, is an old (similar age) union boss who’s used to diving in wherever he’s needed. If he’d been walking with Ibrahim, he’d have straightened out the hooligans on the spot, and they would have stayed straightened out.
Joyce, the diarist, is a former nurse, who seems a gentle, naïve soul, but there’s almost no blood and gore that she hasn’t seen before. That’s just as well, because our main character, Elizabeth Best, is a retired (I use the term loosely) spy who seems to be as active as ever. What is she capable of?
“Also, it is very easy to kill someone in a lift when the doors open. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and a ping to announce you’re about to appear. Not that she’s worried about being killed, it doesn’t feel to her like that’s what is happening here, but it’s always important to remember best practice. Elizabeth has never killed anyone in a lift.”
When Elizabeth’s ex-husband, who is still an MI5 operative, approaches her about money-laundering and a diamond theft, the Club becomes embroiled in a complex and deadly, but highly entertaining, adventure. Douglas has remarried but proclaims his undying love for Elizabeth. He’s a hard man to resist, but she knows better.
“That twinkle in his eye was undimmed. The twinkle that gave an entirely undeserved suggestion of wisdom and charm. The twinkle that could make you walk down the aisle with a man almost ten years your junior, and regret it within months. The twinkle you soon realize is actually the beam of a lighthouse, warning you off the rocks.”
He has a delightful young assistant called Poppy, and they are trying to fend off Martin Lomax, a middleman who’s laundering money for – well – almost anyone. After MI5 searched Lomax’s house, Lomax claimed his diamonds were missing, so he's threatening Douglas. Douglas appeals to Elizabeth to investigate and find the diamonds.
Lomax has his own problems. He lives on a glorious estate, where he invites the public to visit his gardens (NOT the house!) and where he has all manner of gold, gems, artwork, you-name-it, held as deposits for various drug dealers as they negotiate their swaps. He is careful to a fault, but the public needs to be wary of where they walk.
“There are grenades somewhere. For the life of him he can’t remember where they are buried, but he knows they are in a safe location, and he has written it down somewhere. Under the Venetian gazebo? On reflection, he can’t even remember whose grenades they were, or why he had agreed to bury them, but that comes with age.”
The likeable police officers from the first book, become caught up in this as well, even as they are searching for Ibrahim’s attackers and trying to bring down a local dealer. On the whole, this is an entertaining mystery for which you may need to suspend a bit of disbelief, but then I don’t really know what a “retired” MI5 operative and her “colleagues” are capable of.
I don't think any threads were left untied, and I'm pleased to say our four heroes are more or less intact to fight another day! They are clever, funny, and loyal.
I love both of these books and look forward to more. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the review copy from which I’ve quoted.
UPDATE: There's a good article and interview with the author about these two books in 'The Guardian' here'.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
The series - I've enjoyed them all.
My review of The Thursday Murder Club
My review of The Man Who Died Twice (#2)
My review of The Bullet That Missed (#3)
My review of The Last Devil to Die (#4)
“We’re getting the 2.30 bus into Brighton, and we’ll get out by the big M&S and walk into Hove. Elizabeth has said, ‘Strictly no shopping, Joyce,’ so we’re certainly on business of some sort.
What sort of business though? Diamonds? Murder? Perhaps a bit of both? That would be nice.”
Joyce’s diary. Her first-person observations are a chatty way to bring us up to speed with the activities of the Thursday Murder Club of whom readers have became so fond. The four elderly residents of the Coopers Chase Retirement Village are back!
This story opens with our favourite psychiatrist, Ibrahim, being knocked down by a cyclist who grabs his phone and makes off with it. For good measure, a couple of other hoodlums run past, laughing, pausing to kick him while he’s down. At nearly 80, Ibrahim suffers not only considerable injuries, but his confidence is badly shaken.
“Who bought stolen phones? Ibrahim had a Tetris app on his phone. There were 200 levels, and he was on level 127 after playing for a considerable amount of time. All of that progress was lost.”
Ron, on the other hand, is an old (similar age) union boss who’s used to diving in wherever he’s needed. If he’d been walking with Ibrahim, he’d have straightened out the hooligans on the spot, and they would have stayed straightened out.
Joyce, the diarist, is a former nurse, who seems a gentle, naïve soul, but there’s almost no blood and gore that she hasn’t seen before. That’s just as well, because our main character, Elizabeth Best, is a retired (I use the term loosely) spy who seems to be as active as ever. What is she capable of?
“Also, it is very easy to kill someone in a lift when the doors open. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and a ping to announce you’re about to appear. Not that she’s worried about being killed, it doesn’t feel to her like that’s what is happening here, but it’s always important to remember best practice. Elizabeth has never killed anyone in a lift.”
When Elizabeth’s ex-husband, who is still an MI5 operative, approaches her about money-laundering and a diamond theft, the Club becomes embroiled in a complex and deadly, but highly entertaining, adventure. Douglas has remarried but proclaims his undying love for Elizabeth. He’s a hard man to resist, but she knows better.
“That twinkle in his eye was undimmed. The twinkle that gave an entirely undeserved suggestion of wisdom and charm. The twinkle that could make you walk down the aisle with a man almost ten years your junior, and regret it within months. The twinkle you soon realize is actually the beam of a lighthouse, warning you off the rocks.”
He has a delightful young assistant called Poppy, and they are trying to fend off Martin Lomax, a middleman who’s laundering money for – well – almost anyone. After MI5 searched Lomax’s house, Lomax claimed his diamonds were missing, so he's threatening Douglas. Douglas appeals to Elizabeth to investigate and find the diamonds.
Lomax has his own problems. He lives on a glorious estate, where he invites the public to visit his gardens (NOT the house!) and where he has all manner of gold, gems, artwork, you-name-it, held as deposits for various drug dealers as they negotiate their swaps. He is careful to a fault, but the public needs to be wary of where they walk.
“There are grenades somewhere. For the life of him he can’t remember where they are buried, but he knows they are in a safe location, and he has written it down somewhere. Under the Venetian gazebo? On reflection, he can’t even remember whose grenades they were, or why he had agreed to bury them, but that comes with age.”
The likeable police officers from the first book, become caught up in this as well, even as they are searching for Ibrahim’s attackers and trying to bring down a local dealer. On the whole, this is an entertaining mystery for which you may need to suspend a bit of disbelief, but then I don’t really know what a “retired” MI5 operative and her “colleagues” are capable of.
I don't think any threads were left untied, and I'm pleased to say our four heroes are more or less intact to fight another day! They are clever, funny, and loyal.
I love both of these books and look forward to more. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the review copy from which I’ve quoted.
UPDATE: There's a good article and interview with the author about these two books in 'The Guardian' here'.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
The series - I've enjoyed them all.
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