The Thursday Murder Club / The Man Who Died Twice

Thursday Murder Club #1-2

by Richard Osman

Please Note That The Following Individual Books As Per Original ISBN and Cover Image In this Listing shall be Dispatched

Richard Osman 2 Books Collection Set (The Thursday Murder Club, The Man Who Died Twice):

The Thursday Murder
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it's too late?

The Man Who Died Twice :
The second gripping novel in the New York Times bestselling Thursday Murder Club series, the first of which Kate Atkinson called "A little beacon of pleasure in the midst of the gloom. . . SUCH FUN!" Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim—the Thursday Murder Club—are still riding high off their recent real-life murder case and are looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet at Cooper’s Chase, their posh retirement village.

Genres: Mystery, Book Club, Crime, Cozy, Fiction

Paperback

About the author

An English television presenter, producer, director, and novelist.

Reviews

[Avani ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I enjoyed the second book more than the first book.

[Carrie]

The Thursday Murder Club: Gorgeous...a good old who dunnit? I found myself suspecting everyone - but there was only one culprit. Adorable characters. A truly lovely book.

[H Svinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

As entertaining as I hoped. Great to be reunited with the residents of Coopers Chase and get up to date with their activities and the latest murder! Perfect for a long drive keeping me entertained. Lots of twists and turns as you would expect and a lot of laughs and an IG to follow lol!
Enjoy!

[The Reading Ruru (Kerry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this straight after book 3. Pure escapism for me in a week where I didn't need anything too serious.

[Juanita Gaulton Broadbent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one too. Will definitely read the others in the series.

[Ade Windsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my view better than the first book but that's probably because the core characters are established allowing more time for plot. Plenty of twists and turns as before and a more action filled story with a high body count! I like the way the main characters demonstrate the pros and cons of growing old and their interwoven storylines expose a little more of their characters with each adventure.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not read both but am too lazy to change the book I selected. 3.0 stars, read it in 4 days but if I would’ve read it slower, it would’ve been harder to pick back up. Book club book #1

[Fred Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having got to know the characters in the first book I couldn’t wait to read about their next adventure it retained my attention throughout and was highly enjoyable and kept me guessing till the mystery was solved. I look forward to book 3 and hope that the author doesn’t run out of ideas. Highly recommended

[Alexander Theofanidis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thursday Murder Club, #1 ⭐⭐

1. Enid Blyton με γέρους αντί για παιδιά.
2. Βλακώδες
3. Ενοχλητικό

Θυμάστε κάτι τραγικά, κακογραμμένα και πάντα κακομεταφρασμένα παιδικά βιβλία, με παιδιά που λύνανε μυστήρια, εξιχνίαζαν εγκλήματα, πιάνανε κατάσκοπους και ήταν στην ώρα τους για το απογευματινό τσάι; Ε, το ίδιο ακριβώς, αλλά με άτομα τρίτης ηλικίας.

Σε ένα οίκο ευγηρίας λουξ και φουλ κομφόρ (είναι να απορεί κανείς πόσο κοστίζει η παραμονή εκεί), μερικοί γέροι βγαλμένοι από γραμμή παραγωγής ιδιαιτεροτήτων λύνουν υποθέσεις στις οποίες η αστυνομία έχει σηκώσει τα χέρια ψηλά. Η Ελίζαμπεθ που κανείς δε μπορεί να της πει όχι, ο Ιμπραήμ που ξέρει τα πάντα, ο Ρον που έχει το ένα και το άλλο, η Τζόις που είναι μια ηλίθια που φτιάχνει πίτες. Αυτοί είναι η λέσχη φόνων της Πέμπτης. Παρεμπιπτόντως, κανένας από τους ενεργούς ντεντεκτιβικά γέρους δεν δείχνει τύπος που θα βρισκόταν σε οίκο ευγηρίας. Είναι όλοι κοτσονάτοι, δραστήριοι, στροφάρουν (ακόμη και η Τζόις, που φτιάχνει πίτες), πάνε κι έρχονται, κάνουν ταξίδια στο εξωτερικό. Θέλω να πω, είναι οι τύποι που κανονικά έχουν απλώς μια καθαρίστρια τις Πέμπτες για να μη γλιστρήσουν στα ίδια τους τα σφουγγαρισμένα και σπάσουν κάνα ισχίο. Αλλά με κάποιο τρόπο έπρεπε να βρεθούν στον ίδιο χώρο και να λύνουν υποθέσεις.

Η αστυνομία εκπροσωπείται αποκλειστικά από έναν πενηντάρη με μπλάθρα και πολύ κακή φυσική κατάσταση και μια νεαρή που τρέχει να σώσει τα άσωστα. Μονίμως ένα βήμα πίσω, παίρνει πληροφορίες από τους γέρους και προχωράει, αλλά στο τέλος δε λύνει πρακτικά καμία υπόθεση. Από την άλλοι, οι γέροι, ακόμη και ο ΑΝΟΪΚΟΣ σύζυγος της Ελίζαμπεθ, βρίσκουν όλα τα νήματα.

Η υπόθεση είναι ένα διαρκές μπάχαλο, οι χαρακτήρες είναι λιγότερο πιστευτοί κι από την άρνηση ενοχής τρίχρονου που έχει σοκολάτα στη μούρη, τα χέρια και τα μαλλιά του και το εσωτερικό του σώβρακου, ενώ ανταγωνίζονται ποιος θα είναι ο πιο εκνευριστικός, οι ανατροπές είναι γελοίες και το μόνο που μάθαμε είναι ότι είναι εύκολο να σκοτώσεις με φεντυλ… φενιλ… φενιστ… με μια ουσία τέλος πάντων που αρχίζει από φι. Α, και με κοπάνημα με κάβουρα στο κεφάλι, αλλά αυτό νομίζω ότι είναι ευκόλως τεκμαρτό. Θεωρητικά το βιβλίο έχει χιούμορ, αλλά μάλλον το κρύβει καλύτερα απ’ όσο οι δολοφόνοι τα πτώματα που τους περίσσευαν.

Για να μη μακρηγορώ: Ανάγνωσμα «ευκολίας», για κόσμο που είτε δεν έχει πολύ εγκέφαλο, είτε δεν του πολυαρέσει να τον λειτουργεί σε μεσαίες και ψηλές στροφές, με σιχαμένο γλιτσιασμένο φινάλε (βάλτε τις στάχτες εκεί που ξέρετε -ή έστω στον κήπο κάνουν καλό λίπασμα- η όλη ιστορία με τον Μπερνάρντ ήταν παντελώς αχρείαστη), στηρίζεται αποκλειστικά στο «γέροι λύνουν εγκλήματα» και πέφτει με πάταγο κάτω από τη βάση και σπάει λεκάνη, σαν γέρος που σέβεται τα χρόνια του.


The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club, #2) ⭐⭐

Οι γέροι του Οσμάν ξαναχτυπούν. Αυτή τη φορά, θα αποδειχτούν πιο έξυπνοι από:

1. Διεθνείς μαφιόζους
2. Εγχώριους μαφιόζους
3. Εγχώριους concierge του εγκλήματος
4. Εγχώριους μεγαλεμπόρους κοκαίνης που παίζουν τους αστυνόμους για πλάκα
5. Διεφθαρμένους υπερπράκτορες της MI5 και MI6 (κάποια από αυτές πρέπει να είναι και αυτοκινητόδρομος)

Ναι, η «σέρνω τα βαριά, περισπούδαστα @@ μου και λύνω υποθέσεις» Ελίζαμπεθ, η «είμαι χαζοχαρούμενη, κρατάω ημερολόγιο και φτιάνω πίτες» Τζόις, ο «είμαι μάγκας κι ας έχω 3 κιλά ζάχαρο» Ρον και ο «ξέρω τα πάντα» Ιμπραΐμ, δεν έχουν κανένα πρόβλημα να κάνουν ζάφτι το κρημ οφ δε κροπ των επικίνδυνων.

Στην πορεία, φυσικά, προκύπτουν πολλά πτώματα, όλα φρέσκα αυτή τη φορά, αλλά αυτό ουδόλως επηρεάζει την παρέα των χαρωπών γέρων. Σε ένα side story ο Ιμπραήμ βρίσκεται κλωτσοπατινιασμένος από ένα νεαρό καθίκι που τον ληστεύει και οι τρομεροί γέροι τιμωροί του βάζουν ένα τόνο κοκαΐνη στο καζανάκι (του καθικιού) και τον δίνουν στους μπάτσους. ΕΠΕΙΔΗ ΜΠΟΡΟΥΝ.

Εξίσου αφελές και ενοχλητικό με το πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς, με λύσεις πιο πρόχειρες κι από γεύμα που το ζεσταίνεις στα μικροκύματα και με ένα βλακώδες τουίστ στο τέλος όπου αποκαλύπτεται ότι ο άνθρωπος που πέθανε δύο φορές είναι κάποιος που δε μας απασχόλησε ποτέ. Σε όλο το βιβλίο. Απλώς υπήρχε. Χωρίς καμία ανάμιξη (θα μπορούσε να είναι αναγνώστης που πέθανε δυο φορές από βαρεμάρα και τον επανέφεραν). ΠΩΣ ΜΑΣ ΤΑ ΕΔΩΣΕΣ ΕΤΣΙ ΣΤΟ ΧΕΡΙ ΡΕ ΟΣΜΑΝΑΡΕ;;;

Ενδιάμεσα έχουμε ένα ψιλοπασπάλισμα με ψυχολογία φορ ντάμις, την ανάγκη για κατοικίδιο, λίγο παραπλάνηση, αρκετό σκάκι και πρεζοπώλησες (χοντρική κιόλας, όχι λιανική) γκόμενες να ερωτεύονται τον Πολωνό υδραυλικό και να κάνουν σαν ηλίθιες για τα μάτια του.

Ιδανικό βιβλίο «χαλαρού μυστηρίου με χιούμορ», ιδίως αν κάποιος έχει βάλει βάναυσα ένα ματσούκι μέσα από τη μύτη σας και έχει ασελγήσει άγρια στους μετωπικούς σας λοβούς.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of Osman's "cosy" mysteries; I'm living in a retirement community, so some of the shindigs make me laugh out loud. But what keeps me coming back is the bond among the characters, who support each other so well. It's a relief to have some fellow elders as the core group of a series. Think QUARTET, only with murder not music as the binding!

Here's Kirkus:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
"Osman follows The Thursday Murder Club (2020), his supremely entertaining debut, with an even better second installment.

Coopers Chase, an upscale retirement village in the British countryside, is home to the Thursday Murder Club, which consists of shrewd, deadly former spy Elizabeth Best, retired nurse Joyce Meadowcroft, psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif, political activist Ron Ritchie, and three honorary members, fixer Bogdan Jankowski, DCI Chris Hudson, and Police Constable Donna De Freitas. A letter from a dead man plunges Elizabeth and her friends into a dangerous case involving local crooks, the Mafia, and MI6. The letter is signed by Marcus Carmichael, whose corpse Elizabeth had seen pulled from the Thames years earlier, but it turns out to have been written by Elizabeth’s ex-husband, Douglas Middlemiss, who knew that name would get her attention. Douglas isn't dead, but he's still in a spot of trouble involving stolen diamonds and an angry go-between who holds valuable items for a variety of crooks. When a group of teenagers steal Ibrahim's phone and then kick him in the head after he falls down, the group plots revenge, little knowing that the two problems may soon become one. When Douglas and his handler, Poppy, are shot dead, the group must race MI6 and several vicious crooks to neutralize a number of killers and find the diamonds. Elizabeth, who knows so much about Douglas, is assigned to decode the clues he left behind, but each of her seemingly innocuous friends has skills that enhance the group’s ability to survive and place blame where it belongs while covering up a myriad of minor offenses.

A clever, funny mystery peopled with captivating characters that enhance the story at every quirky turn.

[Singer_SA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both these books were such a delight to read at a time when everyone is feeling so stressed.
The group of elderly people living in a retirement village investigating 'cold cases' become involved in real life murders.
The interaction between the characters is delightful and convincing for those of us at a certain age. There is humour, but also pathos and raw emotion.
The ringleader, Elizabeth, has a professional history in MI6 so she has contacts that are crucial in investigating the murders. Ibraham was a psychiatrist and has wonderful insight into people's personality and motivation. The second book is particularly poignant regarding him. Ron is a former boxer and still sees himself as a real tough guy. Finally, Joyce - the newest recruit to the Murder Club - is just a delight. She hides her intelligence behind a facade of domesticity.
Elizabeth is desperately hiding the fact that her husband Stephen is slipping into dementia. Then there's Bogdan, a strong man from the first novel, who befriends Stephen and plays chess with him when Elizabeth is busy working out the intricacies of the murders and mysteries.
Of course it all works out well in the end, but the personal lives of the friends are what make the books so enjoyable. Really enjoyed this and look forward to more.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun sequel.
I was able to moreso picture the characters with this one, and the plot was easier to invest in. I feel like Osman has hit the balance between just fun enough while also being enthralling.

I enjoy the relationships (old and new) between the characters and those they welcome into their circle (or their murder club, as they call it.) There is a familiar sweetness, humor, as well as intense care that they all have for each other.

Edited to add: As for why I gave this four stars- I do have a difficult time occasionally keeping track of all of the characters in the story, as well as their different perspectives. This is kind of a "me issue", but I could see others dealing with it as well. A key may be perhaps useful for keeping the characters straight, but this is purely a logistical critique, not an issue with with the author's writing.

I am a completionist, and I enjoy the series so far, so I will complete it, as well as watch the movie when it comes out.

[Sarah Reida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the Thursday Murder Club books, all of which are exceptional (except for the fourth, which is fine but not on the same exceptional level as the others), this one is the best. Part of it is because of the bigger role played by Bogdan and the dynamic with Elizabeth. ("Bogdan, can you please obtain me some cocaine?") It's amazing how Richard Osman writes–untethered storytelling that naturally leads where it needs to go. I understand he doesn't have outlines, and for that to work in the best way is just incredible (so hard to do, especially when you're juggling a dozen character). And he gives a sweet shoutout to Marian Keyes (Poppy's secret favorite author), who interviewed him in the audio after the first book.

Also, with this one, there's an unexpected love story that plays a minor role but will make fans of the first book very happy.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. I adore the 4 main characters. I like how they think and work together. I like Donna and Chris continuing to be a part of the Thursday club. I enjoyed the interludes with Chris and Patrice as well. All of the mysteries were tied up in one final show down. It was clever and believable. I loved Joyce’s act in memory of Poppy. And, Elizabeth’s “donation” of the diamonds was the perfect ending. Lots of smiles and laughing out loud. With all the stressors around me this is a perfect escape! How I’d love to hang out with the Murder Club!!!

[Ceelee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! What a terrific read in this second edition of the Thursday Murder Club Series! I think I liked the second book better than the first. It is probably because in tte first book I was learning about the characters and what they were about. Sometimes a second book in a series can be a let down too but not The Man Who Died Twice! It was excellent, entertaining and the characters were familiar. It was like visiting with friends you haven't seen for awhile. It felt familiar, yet new with this wild new adventure.
Have any of you seen a little of yourself in these characters or am I just weird as I get older? I definitely feel a kinship with Joyce. I love how she writes the letters and journal and she is always ready for adventure or trying something new That is so me! And yes, my knitting is just as bad! All the characters are great, though, and feel like real people. I love the introduction of Kendrick and how he fits in tte story. So smart and witty!
I have the third book but I want to bask in the pleasure of this one for awhile.
A great mystery series that I hope continues for many years.

[Mark Tadder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel that this second book in the series was even better than the original as the characters are more nuanced and better flashed out. I also think that the jokes were a little bit better and I laughed out loud to many of the dialogue and situation's unlike the first book where I felt like it was much slower and lacking a little bit of clarity. I can't wait for the next book in the series as this is going to be hopefully a continuing adventure with excitement and comedy mixing well.

[Maureen Egan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read/listened to The Thursday Night Murder Club ! Set in a retirement community in England, a group of friend meet every Thursday to try and solve unsolved murders from the past. When a part owner of the community is murder, they work to solve this. Lovable characters. A good plots with lots of twist and turns. I laughed out loud and shed a few tears . A good read. Looking forward to book 2.

[Lynnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, I enjoyed this 2nd book in the Thursday Morning Murder Club series more than the intro book and found it much funnier and interesting than the first book. Maybe I was trying to figure out what was going on with the people in Book # 1 that made me miss a lot of the jokes... Who doesn't like a former MI 5 operative living near you in your retirement community or an Eastern European "don't ask don't tell" enforcer who comes in handy.

[Jim Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man Who Died Twice brought back Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce, and Ibrahim, our Thursday afternoon septuagenarian sleuths to solve a new mystery. Osman’s characters were developed further than in his first book and his humor and style made this reading quite enjoyable. I definitely liked book 2 better than book 1, but I wonder if you need to read them in order to fully understand the characters….

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but the second book is even better! I love the characters, and I want to live in the retirement community they live in!!! So fun!!!

The mystery was good, the bad guys were suitably bad, and there were just enough hints to make me want to start the next book right NOW!

[Natalie Bayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Osman writes great characters and his dialogue is very funny, but the plots are not Agatha Christie, or even MC Beaton. It was just a bit too silly in the end and I didn’t care who dunnit or why.

I’d like to read a different genre of novel by this author because his writing is very engaging.

[Steve Dadio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, interesting read! I can imagine there being a tv shoe or movie based on this. I often wonder if authors think about that when they are writing or if they are solely focusing on their book? Anyway, it was a fun read; lots of short chapters and the story told from different perspectives. I understand that this a series and look forward to the next one.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Italy plane book!! A perfect choice for traveling. I started it on the flight from Denver to Chicago, put it aside while in Italy and brought it out for the 10 hour flight home! Richard Osman captures the voice of the septuagenarian characters so well which makes the book so enjoyable to read.

[Marian Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grand old story with very witty remarks when you’d least expect them. A bit of the old fashion style murder mystery novel incorporating present day technologies which adds humour to the whole story and it’s interesting characters.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just delightful. By this second book, we know and love the members of the Thursday Murder Club. This story takes some wonderful twists and turns, but it os really all about the relationships and not about the murders.

[Lonni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a group of elderly people who take their knowledge and skills from past careers to help solve a murder. This was a delightful book to read. I found it entertaining, funny and had some good twists all throughout! am excited to read the second book.

[Julie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and the series and I can seriously see this as a movie. It’s so clever and delightful, and he is always one step ahead of me, which is great fun. I hope he has many more up his sleeve.

[Mrinalini Batra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. British murders stand out as being less macabre. The people are normal and always nice:-) Even the drug dealer and Mafia guy is non-threatening even when committing murders. Good for passing time, nothing spectacular.

[Laura Hancock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, but at times it seems the author is bombastic instead of creating solid characters. Some character monologues seemed insignificant to the plot. While I enjoyed the first book in the series more, not sure if I would read another one.

I did enjoy the audio narration.

[Baylee Rooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok honestly… this book was soooo boring to me and hard to keep up with at the same time. Call me simple minded and maybe it’s my adhd but there were soooo many characters in this book that I had a hard time keeping up with who was who. The story really dragged on for me without feeling exciting.