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MYST OSM
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Pamela Dorman Books (2021), 368 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. HTML:An instant New York Times bestseller! The second gripping novel in the New York Times bestselling Thursday Murder Club series, soon to be a major motion picture from Steven Spielberg at Amblin Entertainment â??Itâ??s taken a mere two books for Richard Osman to vault into the upper leagues of crime writers. . . The Man Who Died Twice. . . dives right into joyous fun." â??The New York Times Book Review Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahimâ??the Thursday Murder Clubâ??are still riding high off their recent real-life murder case and are looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet at Cooperâ??s Chase, their posh retirement village. But they are out of luck. An unexpected visitorâ??an old pal of Elizabethâ??s (or perhaps more than just a pal?)â??arrives, desperate for her help. He has been accused of stealing diamonds worth millions from the wrong men and heâ??s seriously on the lam. Then, as night follows day, the first body is found. But not the last. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are up against a ruthless murderer who wouldnâ??t bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can our four friends catch the killer before the killer catches them? And if they find the diamonds, too? Well, wouldnâ??t that be a bonus? You should never put anything beyond the Thursday Murder Club. Richard Osman is back with everyoneâ??s favorite mystery-solving quartet, and the second installment of the Thursday Murder Club series is just as clever and warm as the firstâ??an unputdo… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ASKelmore
Best for:
Those who enjoyed the first book.
In a nutshell:
Elizabethâs ex-husband â also a former spy â is in a safe house, accused of having stolen diamonds from a criminal heâs investigating. Then, he and his handler are killed, and the diamonds are nowhere to be found. Also, Ibrahim has
Worth quoting:
N/A (Audio book)
Why I chose it:
I loved the first one.
What it left me feeling:
Surprised.
Review:
So, you donât NEED to have read the first book to enjoy this one, but I think it helps because the characters are so well built out there. Plus, this book takes place only six weeks after the ending of the first book. These folks have had a busy few months!
This book followed a fairly similar formula to the first one - some chapters are standard narrator perspective, some are Joyceâs journal entries. There are twists and turns and unexpected situations. There are also deeper story lines, like how Ibrahim handles being mugged, and how the situation fills him with fear after heâs finally gotten comfortable being out in the world. Or the storyline related to Joyce making bracelets to raise money for a dementia charity, knowing Elizabethâs husband has dementia.
I figured out one small part of it before the characters did, which I appreciate. Iâm not a fan where the twists are so out there that the reader could never guess at them. I also enjoyed that there continued to be character development, and we learned more about the main people. They have lives and hobbies and sadness and joy. They arenât just murder-solving automatons.
Obviously Iâll be getting book three this weekend.
Recommend to a Friend / Keep / Donate it / Toss it:
Recommend
Those who enjoyed the first book.
In a nutshell:
Elizabethâs ex-husband â also a former spy â is in a safe house, accused of having stolen diamonds from a criminal heâs investigating. Then, he and his handler are killed, and the diamonds are nowhere to be found. Also, Ibrahim has
Show More
been mugged.Worth quoting:
N/A (Audio book)
Why I chose it:
I loved the first one.
What it left me feeling:
Surprised.
Review:
So, you donât NEED to have read the first book to enjoy this one, but I think it helps because the characters are so well built out there. Plus, this book takes place only six weeks after the ending of the first book. These folks have had a busy few months!
This book followed a fairly similar formula to the first one - some chapters are standard narrator perspective, some are Joyceâs journal entries. There are twists and turns and unexpected situations. There are also deeper story lines, like how Ibrahim handles being mugged, and how the situation fills him with fear after heâs finally gotten comfortable being out in the world. Or the storyline related to Joyce making bracelets to raise money for a dementia charity, knowing Elizabethâs husband has dementia.
I figured out one small part of it before the characters did, which I appreciate. Iâm not a fan where the twists are so out there that the reader could never guess at them. I also enjoyed that there continued to be character development, and we learned more about the main people. They have lives and hobbies and sadness and joy. They arenât just murder-solving automatons.
Obviously Iâll be getting book three this weekend.
Recommend to a Friend / Keep / Donate it / Toss it:
Recommend
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LibraryThing member ffortsa
Another funny entry in the Thursday Murder Club series, involving a few too many turns, and a few too many endings, like a Beethoven symphony. This one involves a middleman who accepts insurance deposits as hedges for illegal activities, a man from Elizabeth's past, MI5 and the local police, and
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cocaine. Any questions? Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwren
I loved being back in the Club's world, especially reading about their growing friendships and revelations about their lives. I love Chris's new relationship, and Donna's possible one! I didn't love it quite as much as the first one, because the first seemed so new and original, and this one had a
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bit more harshness to it. But I laughed out loud in many places, especially Joyce's chapters. She's a hoot! Don't miss reading the Acknowledgments. Show Less
LibraryThing member brangwinn
The older you get the more relevance the zany Thursday Night Murder Club has. In the second book in the series, readers are again immersed in the lives of four septuagenarians who live in an English retirement community. The members include a former spy, Elizabeth. At times I just wanted to roll my
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eyes at the shenanigans they were able to pull off to fight for justice and solve crimes. Elizabethâs former husband, who is the British M5, stole a bag of diamonds from a black-market arms dealer and plans to disappear with them. Heâs been in hiding at the retirement community and Elizabeth and her crew end up figuring out he murdered him as they also bring a punk to prison for battering one of their members in the theft of a phone. Its not necessary to read the first book, but as with all series in which the various personalities are important, Iâd read this series in order. Show Less
LibraryThing member Laura400
Very enjoyable, even better than the first. Light but good, a page-turner, even, it's not exactly a cozy, and certainly not grim, but manages to tackle some serious topics in a light tone. It's a mystery, but character-driven, featuring an expanding bunch of sparkling, appealing and well-drawn
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amateur and professional detectives and even a few spies. I hope someone has optioned this for a BBC series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
Richard Osmanâs first novel, âThe Thursday Murder Clubâ was a runaway commercial and critical success, selling over a million copies and drawing plaudits from reviewers from all corners. It would be easy to dismiss this as unwarranted success, deriving principally from Osmanâs celebrity
This new novel follows on from âThe Thursday Murders Clubâ, with the group drawn into a complicated sequence of events involving MI5 and organised crime following the reappearance in her life of the long-estranged ex-husband of Elizabeth (leader of the Thursday Club). As with the first novel, there is an intricate plot which allows for a rich blend of action and humorous observation, some directly from Osman as narrator, others from the journal entries by Joyce, a retired nurse who tends to play Watson to Elizabethâs Holmes.
Is the story plausible? Probably not, but, what is more important, it engages, and retains, the readerâs attention. As I was reading it, I was eager to know what happened, and how it could all be resolved. Resolution, when it came, was highly satisfactory.
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status as the immensely likeable presenter of television gameshows. To do so would, however, simply be wrong. The book has been successful and popular because it is very good. Yes, it tends towards the so-called âcosyâ end of the crime fiction market, but why not?This new novel follows on from âThe Thursday Murders Clubâ, with the group drawn into a complicated sequence of events involving MI5 and organised crime following the reappearance in her life of the long-estranged ex-husband of Elizabeth (leader of the Thursday Club). As with the first novel, there is an intricate plot which allows for a rich blend of action and humorous observation, some directly from Osman as narrator, others from the journal entries by Joyce, a retired nurse who tends to play Watson to Elizabethâs Holmes.
Is the story plausible? Probably not, but, what is more important, it engages, and retains, the readerâs attention. As I was reading it, I was eager to know what happened, and how it could all be resolved. Resolution, when it came, was highly satisfactory.
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LibraryThing member maneekuhi
I've read the first book and TMWDT, and I will read #3 when it comes out in the fall of '22, and I'll see the movie when it comes out even if Helen Mirren doesn't play Elizabeth, yet....Well, I'll get to that later. There are so many little things to like about this series. The concept is rather
The stories move along, tons of detail and movement, more than enough to confuse any 77 year old as to who possibly have left the message and when. And that's what drives me crazy about the books so far. But those little clues clues clues fortunately are offset so often with great little vignettes and roads less taken and sweet moments and well-timed insights that the pages continue to fly by. And there's enough spice, though mild, to make clear this ain't no Agatha Christie cottage mystery.
Why not a 5? Well, in addition to the clue overload mentioned above, I thought there was a rather interesting sub-plot that seemed as though the author lost interest in toward the end. I also thought the choice of culprit was a very poor one.
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obvious, four residents of a somewhat posh assisted living residence outside London with a joint interest in murder mysteries, specifically actual unsolved cases. Two men, two women - nice balance, though the women have been playing the starring roles so far, the gents are supporting cast. There's also a charming couple playing the local police force, and a number of other characters as the need arises. I must add that all characters are very well done, each is described in considerable detail, and as new ones appear you'll oftentimes hear a little chime from deep inside with a cartoon bubble crying "suspect?" Obvious, but why didn't it occur to me !?The stories move along, tons of detail and movement, more than enough to confuse any 77 year old as to who possibly have left the message and when. And that's what drives me crazy about the books so far. But those little clues clues clues fortunately are offset so often with great little vignettes and roads less taken and sweet moments and well-timed insights that the pages continue to fly by. And there's enough spice, though mild, to make clear this ain't no Agatha Christie cottage mystery.
Why not a 5? Well, in addition to the clue overload mentioned above, I thought there was a rather interesting sub-plot that seemed as though the author lost interest in toward the end. I also thought the choice of culprit was a very poor one.
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LibraryThing member brenzi
This is by far my favorite mystery series right now and if you're going to try it out you absolutely must get the audiobook. Lesley Manville is pitch perfect from beginning to end. I practically listened to it non-stop for eight hours straight. Once again, the bodies are piling up and The Thursday
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Murder Club has to solve the crimes. I really love these characters, especially Elizabeth. Can't wait for the next one. Show Less
LibraryThing member khenkins
I must have had sky-high expectations for Richard Osman's second book in his Thursday Murder Club series because I was ultimately a little disappointed in The Man Who Died Twice. The four Cooper's Close residents are involved, should I say entangled, in multiple murders and stolen diamonds. The
Elizabeth and Joyce have the limelight here. And while Elizabeth again runs the show, I found Joyce, whose diary entries we read, to be the most engaging and fun character, Osman having given her all the pithy, funny lines.. Elizabeth had told Joyce that on their upcoming trip, there would be NO shopping, it was business. Recalling her reaction to his dictate, Joyce writes in her diary, "What sort of business though? Diamonds? Murder? Perhaps a bit of both? That would be nice.â Truthfully, I don't like Elizabeth that much -- too competent, too hard-edged -- but she and her ex-husband are at the center of the diamond theft, the mafia, and murder. There are secondary plotlines which are not followed-up completely: a drug-dealing former teacher (?! I know) among them.
In both novels, the four elderly sleuths are seemingly in a "cozy" mystery, but there is a lot of violence, especially in this second novel, including when Ibrahim is knocked to the pavement and kicked in the head by some teenage thugs, hospitalizing him.
If people read for the quirkiness in the characters and their ready acceptance of being entangled in another mysterious crime, they will definitely enjoy this book.
I was sent an advance ebook from Pamela Dorman Books/Viking via Netgalley. This is an honest review.
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first book in .the series, the Thursday Murder Club, introduced the group who get together to discuss unsolved crimes. Psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif, political activist Ron Ritchie. former nurse Joyce Meadowcraft and ex-MI5 operative (?! I know) Elizabeth Best idiosyncratic, elderly friends framed in a thoroughly enjoyable mystery.Elizabeth and Joyce have the limelight here. And while Elizabeth again runs the show, I found Joyce, whose diary entries we read, to be the most engaging and fun character, Osman having given her all the pithy, funny lines.. Elizabeth had told Joyce that on their upcoming trip, there would be NO shopping, it was business. Recalling her reaction to his dictate, Joyce writes in her diary, "What sort of business though? Diamonds? Murder? Perhaps a bit of both? That would be nice.â Truthfully, I don't like Elizabeth that much -- too competent, too hard-edged -- but she and her ex-husband are at the center of the diamond theft, the mafia, and murder. There are secondary plotlines which are not followed-up completely: a drug-dealing former teacher (?! I know) among them.
In both novels, the four elderly sleuths are seemingly in a "cozy" mystery, but there is a lot of violence, especially in this second novel, including when Ibrahim is knocked to the pavement and kicked in the head by some teenage thugs, hospitalizing him.
If people read for the quirkiness in the characters and their ready acceptance of being entangled in another mysterious crime, they will definitely enjoy this book.
I was sent an advance ebook from Pamela Dorman Books/Viking via Netgalley. This is an honest review.
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LibraryThing member otori
Once again I added a full star just for the narration !!!
LibraryThing member Figgles
The second venture into the world of the Thursday Murder Club continues the rollicking ride of the first book. A dead man from Elizabeth's past resurfaces and soon the body count is climbing - somehow the plot manages to incorporate espionage, international money laundering, a local drug dealer and
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a local thug and the sleuthing pensioners from Coopers Chase manage to tie all these threads together in a nice neat denouement. There's also love in the air as well with one romance from the previous book blossoming and a hinting at a new romance for future installments. Some laugh-out-loud funny moments too (I loved the thread about Joyce's instagram account). It helps if you've read the first book but you don't need to to enjoy this. The blithe acceptance of a high body count makes me a little uncomfortable (Miss Marple would not approve) but it's still a vastly enjoyable fast read - looking forward to the third installment! Show Less
LibraryThing member ethel55
Even better than the first, this follows the intrepid Thursday Murder Club members into another case brought about by an old MI acquaintance of Elizabeth's. Harlan Coben and Kate Atkinson blurbs can't steer you wrong. A lot of fun and great character development in this second tale.
LibraryThing member kayanelson
A nice mystery that has a nice yet complicated plot with fun characters.
LibraryThing member bibliovermis
This as just as good as the first in the series. The mystery was a lot tighter, but there were still plenty of side issues and red herrings, and everything was extremely satisfying. The Thursday Murder Club were wonderful once again, and I hope there are more books in the future. I was put off by
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the inclusion of jokes about police brutalityâread the room, Richard Osman! Show Less
LibraryThing member beckyhaase
THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE by Richard Osman
This second outing for the Thursday Murder Club is just as much fun as the first. We learn a bit more about each of four members, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim as they meet Elizabethâs ex-husband, also a former (or current?) member of MI5. The fun begins
Osman keeps the group moving while continuing the gentle humor and advancing the intricate plot. He has a good feel for folks in their seventies who do not feel âover the hillâ, but are active and engaged. His plot will keep you wondering until the last pages. Altogether a fun read that will keep you engaged.
5 0f 5 stars
This second outing for the Thursday Murder Club is just as much fun as the first. We learn a bit more about each of four members, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim as they meet Elizabethâs ex-husband, also a former (or current?) member of MI5. The fun begins
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with 20 million in stolen (or not?) diamonds, continues with an attack on Ibrahim, a murder and several more murders. Will Elizabeth and company be able to outwit the Mafia, international thieves, hired killers, renegade officers and other assorted baddies while the laughs keep coming?Osman keeps the group moving while continuing the gentle humor and advancing the intricate plot. He has a good feel for folks in their seventies who do not feel âover the hillâ, but are active and engaged. His plot will keep you wondering until the last pages. Altogether a fun read that will keep you engaged.
5 0f 5 stars
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LibraryThing member alanteder
Return of the TMC
Review of the Pamela Dorman hardcover edition (September 2021)
[3.5]
Although I really liked the idea of retired seniors investigating cold cases which the police couldn't be bothered with, I wasn't completely pleased with Richard Osman's first novel The Thursday Murder Club (2020).
The Man Who Died Twice is the second outing for the group and it was a definite improvement. The framework is similar to the first book with occasional chapters told from Joyce's point of view in her journal. The main plot involves the sudden appearance of Elizabeth's first husband Douglas at their retirement community of Coopers Chase. Douglas is in hiding from a criminal money launderer from whom he burgled ÂŁ20 Million in Mafia diamonds. He is under the protection of the intelligence services but also seeks Elizabeth's assistance. The main subplot is a mugging of club member Ibrahim which causes him to withdraw in seclusion while activating Elizabeth, Joyce and Ron to plan a revenge scheme. Meanwhile Chris and Donna, the club's friends on the police force are trying to bring down a local drug dealer with mixed results.
After various twists and betrayals, all of the plot strands are brought together with a satisfactory result. The single final sentence surprise twist is also neatly handled.
Regardless of the twisty plot, my favourite parts were the quieter character moments shared between the leads, such as Ibrahim bonding with Ron's 8-year-old grandson Kendrick as part of his healing process, the ongoing banter between Elizabeth and Joyce as they try to outguess each other's secrets, the continuing romance of policeman Chris with the mother of Donna, etc. It all made for a much more satisfactory story.
Review of the Pamela Dorman hardcover edition (September 2021)
[3.5]
Although I really liked the idea of retired seniors investigating cold cases which the police couldn't be bothered with, I wasn't completely pleased with Richard Osman's first novel The Thursday Murder Club (2020).
Show More
I found it to be too convoluted with a disappointingly complex solution. although the actual quartet of club members were definitely a fun group to spend time with.The Man Who Died Twice is the second outing for the group and it was a definite improvement. The framework is similar to the first book with occasional chapters told from Joyce's point of view in her journal. The main plot involves the sudden appearance of Elizabeth's first husband Douglas at their retirement community of Coopers Chase. Douglas is in hiding from a criminal money launderer from whom he burgled ÂŁ20 Million in Mafia diamonds. He is under the protection of the intelligence services but also seeks Elizabeth's assistance. The main subplot is a mugging of club member Ibrahim which causes him to withdraw in seclusion while activating Elizabeth, Joyce and Ron to plan a revenge scheme. Meanwhile Chris and Donna, the club's friends on the police force are trying to bring down a local drug dealer with mixed results.
After various twists and betrayals, all of the plot strands are brought together with a satisfactory result. The single final sentence surprise twist is also neatly handled.
Regardless of the twisty plot, my favourite parts were the quieter character moments shared between the leads, such as Ibrahim bonding with Ron's 8-year-old grandson Kendrick as part of his healing process, the ongoing banter between Elizabeth and Joyce as they try to outguess each other's secrets, the continuing romance of policeman Chris with the mother of Donna, etc. It all made for a much more satisfactory story.
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LibraryThing member alanteder
Return of the TMC
Review of the Pamela Dorman hardcover edition (September 2021)
[3.5]
Although I really liked the idea of retired seniors investigating cold cases which the police couldn't be bothered with, I wasn't completely pleased with Richard Osman's first novel The Thursday Murder Club (2020).
The Man Who Died Twice is the second outing for the group and it was a definite improvement. The framework is similar to the first book with occasional chapters told from Joyce's point of view in her journal. The main plot involves the sudden appearance of Elizabeth's first husband Douglas at their retirement community of Coopers Chase. Douglas is in hiding from a criminal money launderer from whom he burgled ÂŁ20 Million in Mafia diamonds. He is under the protection of the intelligence services but also seeks Elizabeth's assistance. The main subplot is a mugging of club member Ibrahim which causes him to withdraw in seclusion while activating Elizabeth, Joyce and Ron to plan a revenge scheme. Meanwhile Chris and Donna, the club's friends on the police force are trying to bring down a local drug dealer with mixed results.
After various twists and betrayals, all of the plot strands are brought together with a satisfactory result. The single final sentence surprise twist is also neatly handled.
Regardless of the twisty plot, my favourite parts were the quieter character moments shared between the leads, such as Ibrahim bonding with Ron's 8-year-old grandson Kendrick as part of his healing process, the ongoing banter between Elizabeth and Joyce as they try to outguess each other's secrets, the continuing romance of policeman Chris with the mother of Donna, etc. It all made for a much more satisfactory story.
Review of the Pamela Dorman hardcover edition (September 2021)
[3.5]
Although I really liked the idea of retired seniors investigating cold cases which the police couldn't be bothered with, I wasn't completely pleased with Richard Osman's first novel The Thursday Murder Club (2020).
Show More
I found it to be too convoluted with a disappointingly complex solution. although the actual quartet of club members were definitely a fun group to spend time with.The Man Who Died Twice is the second outing for the group and it was a definite improvement. The framework is similar to the first book with occasional chapters told from Joyce's point of view in her journal. The main plot involves the sudden appearance of Elizabeth's first husband Douglas at their retirement community of Coopers Chase. Douglas is in hiding from a criminal money launderer from whom he burgled ÂŁ20 Million in Mafia diamonds. He is under the protection of the intelligence services but also seeks Elizabeth's assistance. The main subplot is a mugging of club member Ibrahim which causes him to withdraw in seclusion while activating Elizabeth, Joyce and Ron to plan a revenge scheme. Meanwhile Chris and Donna, the club's friends on the police force are trying to bring down a local drug dealer with mixed results.
After various twists and betrayals, all of the plot strands are brought together with a satisfactory result. The single final sentence surprise twist is also neatly handled.
Regardless of the twisty plot, my favourite parts were the quieter character moments shared between the leads, such as Ibrahim bonding with Ron's 8-year-old grandson Kendrick as part of his healing process, the ongoing banter between Elizabeth and Joyce as they try to outguess each other's secrets, the continuing romance of policeman Chris with the mother of Donna, etc. It all made for a much more satisfactory story.
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LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
Another fun outing with our Murder Club group!!!! Read it straight through!
LibraryThing member sail7
a continuation of the Thursday Murder Club -- seniors end up with a murder or two to solve, and this time one of the club members has been involved with the victims.
LibraryThing member waldhaus1
Fun to experience the clever old people. Many twists and turns in the story. Involvement of the b British secret service. Plenty of bodies and clever misdirection. Diamonds stolen from the mafia.
LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
Book 2 in the delightful series by Richard Osman about four septuagenarians: Elizabeth (former MI5 agent), Joyce (retired nurse), Ron (former major journalist) and Ibrahim (psychiatrist) who band together to talk about murder and crime and try to figure things out in the retirement community they
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live in. This time Elizabeth's ex-husband has put them in the middle of quite the situation. He has stolen 20 million British pounds worth of diamonds from an international money launderer who would like them back, and hopes that Elizabeth can keep him safe or at least catch the person who kills him. Show Less
LibraryThing member BoundTogetherForGood
An excellent follow-up to the first book in the series.
LibraryThing member hcnewton
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
TL;DR VERSION...
I'm going to try not to go on for a few thousand words here, but I can't make any promises. Just in case, let me provide this version of the post first:
Why waste time wondering about this book? Go read it now.
"It is fine to
WHAT'S THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE ABOUT?
Right on the heels of the events of The Thursday Murder Club, a figure out of Elizabeth's past arrives at Cooper's Chase in need of her help (which means they get the help of Ibrahim, Ron, and Joyce, tooâthey're a package deal now). He's been accused of stealing diamonds worth millionsâthis is bad enough in any circumstances, but when these diamonds belong to a New York mafia family, the accusation takes on a particular level of seriousness.
As the quartet starts to help him, one of their members is mugged and there's not a lot the police can do about it, as much as they want to. You know that Elizabeth and the rest will not take that lying down for a moment, and you almost feel sorry for the mugger. It'd probably be better for him to turn himself into the police than face what Elizabeth will cook up.
At the same time, our police friends, DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas, are trying to take down the unlikeliest drug kingpin since Nancy Botwin. There are also some nice (and potentially strange) developments in their social lives.
I shouldn't forget to add that Joyce takes up making friendship bracelets to sell for charity, gets an Instagram account, and decides to adopt a dog. You'll be surprised which of those becomes important for the plot, but you'll enjoy them all.
CROWDSOURCING VENGENCE
The last book's mysteries involved people near The Club, which got them involvedâbut it's largely due to curiosity/boredom/proximity. In this book, the crimes are personal, members of The Thursday Murder Club are affected and involvedâeither directly or indirectly. They're not acting for their amusement (well, maybe a little), they have a need to see justice done and someone punished.
In both cases, it feels like they're practically crowdsourcing their revenge. They are able to quickly get anyone they ask to chip in. "Oh, this is for X?" or "This is because of Y?" "Sure, I'm in." "Someone hurt So-and-so? What do you need." It's heartwarming to see the community come together like this, selflessly ready to help. It's also a little disturbing how quickly willing everyone is to ignore the law (not just because two of the people who are involved are police officers).
A SHARED ATTITUDE
At (at least) one point both Ron and Elizabeth reflect on their life at the moment and say something about how lucky they are. It's certainly possible that Joyce and Ibrahim said the same thing at one point in the book (if I had an e-copy, I'd have done a search or two so I'd know)âbut even if they don't, they come close enough. I wish I had their sense of perspective, hopefully I get as wise as they are one day.
At the same time, they all know that life is short. And what they enjoy right now can be taken from them without warning (there are examples aplenty in the two books of the series). Which probably helps them enjoy their luck as long as they have it.
Elizabeth, in particular, knows that her luck is about to run out. Her husband loses his battle with dementia a little every day, and it'll soon be over. Each scene with the two of them together (or when Elizabeth thinks about him) is a fantastic combination of sweetness and heartbreak.
Come to think of it, that's a pretty good description of the series.
A JOYCE SAMPLER
I can't find some way to shoe-horn in these quotations, but I feel compelled to share them. Joyce's journal entries are gold. A couple of samples:
What would I do with five million pounds, I wonder?
I need new patio doors, theyâre about fifteen thousand, though Ron knows someone who could do it for eight.
I could buy ÂŁ14.99 wine instead of ÂŁ8.99 wine, but would I notice the difference?
...So I probably donât really need five million pounds but, nonetheless, I'm sure I shall dream about it tonight. You would too, wouldn't you?
By the way, earlier, when I said Elizabeth is a terrible flirt, I didnât mean sheâs a terrible flirt like Iâm a terrible flirt. I mean that when she flirts, sheâs terrible at it. Really all over the place. I like to see things Elizabeth is bad at. There arenât many, but at least it levels the playing field a bit for the rest of us.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE?
"Anyone interested in something very weird at Coopers Chase?â says Chris.
Yes. Everyone is.
That bit of narration speaks for everyone* who's spent any time with The Thursday Murder Club and will likely continue to do so until Osman steps away from the series.
* I guess I should say "nearly everyone" I'm sure there are readers who weren't taken in by Osman's charm. I don't understand those people, but I should acknowledge their existence.
I'm not sure what to possibly say at this point in the postâthis is a fantastically entertaining read. Osman has a gift for making you laugh, appreciate the depth of grief, muse on aging, and ponder the random vicissitudes of life all within a page or twoâall while telling a first-class amateur detective story.
As much as I loved The Thursday Murder Club, I think this was a more entertaining read. I was chuckling almost instantly, and audible laughter soon followed that. But by the last paragraph of Chapter 3, I was reminded that Osman is as skillful at playing your heartstrings as he is tickling your funny bone. This is a winner. Stop wasting time with this post and go read the book.
---
TL;DR VERSION...
I'm going to try not to go on for a few thousand words here, but I can't make any promises. Just in case, let me provide this version of the post first:
Why waste time wondering about this book? Go read it now.
"It is fine to
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say âwhat doesnât kill you makes you stronger'. It is admirable. But it no longer applies when you're eighty. When you are eighty, whatever doesn't kill you just ushers you through the next door, and the next door and the next, and all of these doors lock behind you. No bouncing back. The gravitational pull of youth disappears, and you just float up and up.âWHAT'S THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE ABOUT?
Right on the heels of the events of The Thursday Murder Club, a figure out of Elizabeth's past arrives at Cooper's Chase in need of her help (which means they get the help of Ibrahim, Ron, and Joyce, tooâthey're a package deal now). He's been accused of stealing diamonds worth millionsâthis is bad enough in any circumstances, but when these diamonds belong to a New York mafia family, the accusation takes on a particular level of seriousness.
As the quartet starts to help him, one of their members is mugged and there's not a lot the police can do about it, as much as they want to. You know that Elizabeth and the rest will not take that lying down for a moment, and you almost feel sorry for the mugger. It'd probably be better for him to turn himself into the police than face what Elizabeth will cook up.
At the same time, our police friends, DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas, are trying to take down the unlikeliest drug kingpin since Nancy Botwin. There are also some nice (and potentially strange) developments in their social lives.
I shouldn't forget to add that Joyce takes up making friendship bracelets to sell for charity, gets an Instagram account, and decides to adopt a dog. You'll be surprised which of those becomes important for the plot, but you'll enjoy them all.
CROWDSOURCING VENGENCE
The last book's mysteries involved people near The Club, which got them involvedâbut it's largely due to curiosity/boredom/proximity. In this book, the crimes are personal, members of The Thursday Murder Club are affected and involvedâeither directly or indirectly. They're not acting for their amusement (well, maybe a little), they have a need to see justice done and someone punished.
In both cases, it feels like they're practically crowdsourcing their revenge. They are able to quickly get anyone they ask to chip in. "Oh, this is for X?" or "This is because of Y?" "Sure, I'm in." "Someone hurt So-and-so? What do you need." It's heartwarming to see the community come together like this, selflessly ready to help. It's also a little disturbing how quickly willing everyone is to ignore the law (not just because two of the people who are involved are police officers).
A SHARED ATTITUDE
At (at least) one point both Ron and Elizabeth reflect on their life at the moment and say something about how lucky they are. It's certainly possible that Joyce and Ibrahim said the same thing at one point in the book (if I had an e-copy, I'd have done a search or two so I'd know)âbut even if they don't, they come close enough. I wish I had their sense of perspective, hopefully I get as wise as they are one day.
At the same time, they all know that life is short. And what they enjoy right now can be taken from them without warning (there are examples aplenty in the two books of the series). Which probably helps them enjoy their luck as long as they have it.
Elizabeth, in particular, knows that her luck is about to run out. Her husband loses his battle with dementia a little every day, and it'll soon be over. Each scene with the two of them together (or when Elizabeth thinks about him) is a fantastic combination of sweetness and heartbreak.
Come to think of it, that's a pretty good description of the series.
A JOYCE SAMPLER
I can't find some way to shoe-horn in these quotations, but I feel compelled to share them. Joyce's journal entries are gold. A couple of samples:
What would I do with five million pounds, I wonder?
I need new patio doors, theyâre about fifteen thousand, though Ron knows someone who could do it for eight.
I could buy ÂŁ14.99 wine instead of ÂŁ8.99 wine, but would I notice the difference?
...So I probably donât really need five million pounds but, nonetheless, I'm sure I shall dream about it tonight. You would too, wouldn't you?
By the way, earlier, when I said Elizabeth is a terrible flirt, I didnât mean sheâs a terrible flirt like Iâm a terrible flirt. I mean that when she flirts, sheâs terrible at it. Really all over the place. I like to see things Elizabeth is bad at. There arenât many, but at least it levels the playing field a bit for the rest of us.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE?
"Anyone interested in something very weird at Coopers Chase?â says Chris.
Yes. Everyone is.
That bit of narration speaks for everyone* who's spent any time with The Thursday Murder Club and will likely continue to do so until Osman steps away from the series.
* I guess I should say "nearly everyone" I'm sure there are readers who weren't taken in by Osman's charm. I don't understand those people, but I should acknowledge their existence.
I'm not sure what to possibly say at this point in the postâthis is a fantastically entertaining read. Osman has a gift for making you laugh, appreciate the depth of grief, muse on aging, and ponder the random vicissitudes of life all within a page or twoâall while telling a first-class amateur detective story.
As much as I loved The Thursday Murder Club, I think this was a more entertaining read. I was chuckling almost instantly, and audible laughter soon followed that. But by the last paragraph of Chapter 3, I was reminded that Osman is as skillful at playing your heartstrings as he is tickling your funny bone. This is a winner. Stop wasting time with this post and go read the book.
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LibraryThing member DrApple
I love these mysteries! The senior citizens involved in the mysteries in this series are smart, determined, and hilarious. Connections to MI5 in this book make the stakes higher than they have ever been for our sleuths. Reading this book and the first in the series, The Thursday Murder Club is a
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complete delight. They are the kind of books you don't want to end. The characters stay with you long after you finish reading. I only hope there's another installment in the works. Show Less
LibraryThing member AliceaP
While the readability for this series continues to be quite high, I didn't enjoy this one as much as The Thursday Murder Club. I'm not sure if it was the main mystery itself that didn't quite snag my interest or if the second storyline was lacking in some way. When I was reading the first one it
I will say that my library patrons who I turned on to this series vehemently disagree with my assessment and actually preferred this sequel over the first book sooooo it's definitely a matter of taste. (I really like fast paced writing with lots of characters and action in my mystery books.)
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was difficult for me to put it down because I wanted to keep turning those pages to find out what these zany characters would say next. This time around, I let the book linger on my desk for a few days virtually untouched.I will say that my library patrons who I turned on to this series vehemently disagree with my assessment and actually preferred this sequel over the first book sooooo it's definitely a matter of taste. (I really like fast paced writing with lots of characters and action in my mystery books.)
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Awards
British Book Award (Shortlist — 2022)
Crimefest Awards (Winner — 2022)
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — September 2021)
Pages
368
ISBN
1984880993 / 9781984880994