The Book Report #82

Episode #81

The Book Club Edition

I joined a book club, and this is the first book that has been chosen to read for September 2025

The Thursday Murder Club By Richard Osman

The Book

First published in 2020 by Viking. Viking is an imprint of Penguin Random House. Penguin published the book in 2021.

The book has 381 pages, including Acknowledgements, a preview of the next book in the series and some advertisements.

My copy is a digital ebook. I read it using my Kindle app on my phone and also on my old Paperwhite.

What Did I Think

A group of people gather together once a week for a couple of hours to discuss and try to solve cold cases. Until one day a murder falls at their doorstep. And then another. And then another. Three murders, not all connected but together and close enough for the Thursday Murder Club to get the teeth stuck in.

The gang consists of Elisabeth, a woman with a mysterious past, who has years of training that have turned her into a natural sleuth and who is slowly losing her husband. Ibrahim, an old-fashioned gentleman who is out for knowledge, swims in the morning to help his body stay youthful and maintain friendships. Ron is a bit leery but has had to slow down as he tries to keep up with his son. Trying to deny his walking stick any action. But he is on the beck and call when help is needed. And finally Joyce, a widow, who is seeking new love, but while she waits, enjoys the company of her new friends and the adventures they bring.

Cliché

This book is a typical British clichéd murder mystery. Set in a little village where everyone has enough money to rest comfortably. A villain who wants to buy the town to build new homes. A bitter rivalry clothed as a business arrangement. The local odd job man. The local busybody or bodies that feel that they have more knowledge and instinct than the local constabulary actually have.

Typically, these books were written in the early twentieth century; here, we have a modern take on the classic crime drama. It seems another cliché is true, where the elderly can get away with nearly anything they want.

The story is a fun ride. How the characters all join in and appear where the detective and constable are, or ahead of them, where the clues may send them.

Donna is a constable but wants more, and with some manipulation “help” from Elizabeth, manages to get Donna on the task force that is looking into the murders, all for their benefit, of course. Donna becomes close to Chris, the detective. But no romance for them. He is a bit too old, but Donna’s mother…

Right from the start, a murderer lurks over the site of their victims’ burial. Making sure nobody disturbs it. But nothing more is written until a good way into the story. This is mainly because it isn’t relevant until much later, when certain plot points fall into place.

The layers upon layers of twists and turns of how you are looking in one direction for what you believe is happening, and then the author goes in your direction of thinking and then slams that door in your face, several times. So you end up just going with it until the reveal.

Would I Recommend

This is a classic fun ride for a modern-day crime drama. The characters enjoy each other’s company and know that even though they are getting older, it doesn’t mean they have to give up on life, even if that means walking into a little bit of danger.

So, if you enjoy a bit of fun British crime drama, add this to your To Be Read list.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy?

You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/USA, Barnes & Noble or eBay UK/USA.

Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.

PS…

Just a quick advisory. If you intend to read the book and then watch the Netflix movie. Like I did, I wouldn’t recommend it. Do one or the other, not both. I didn’t like the film. They cut it to shreds and changed the story in parts that were better in the book. The movie felt rushed and was not completed properly. I would like to see a directors cut.

Also, Helen Mirren was not the right choice for the role of Elizabeth. I know that if Celia Imrie (Joyce) swapped roles with Helen Mirren. It would have been a better film. The relationship between Elizabeth and Joyce was also somehow screwed up. The characters of Ibrahim and Ron were cast correctly, but their story wasn’t written well for the screen.

It was also nice to see Ingrid Oliver (Joanne) in a role that is different from Osgood. It also helps that she is the author’s wife.