If you love crime-dramas or a crime novel, but looking for a book that has a more light-hearted twist, then say hello to Richard Osman’s best-selling book series: The Thursday Murder Club.
After being crowned the Author of the Year in 2021 at the British Book Awards for his debut novel The Thursday Murder Club, since then, another three books have been released with the next – The Impossible Fortune – due to be released in September.
Clever, witty and heart-warming, this book series is set in Coopers Chase retirement village and follows a group of four retirees and friends (Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim) who form The Thursday Murder Club to investigate unsolved murders.
When a real murder occurs in their local area, they decide to take on the case, working alongside two local police officers. With each of the characters having their own distinctive skillset and personality, this series brilliantly mixes engaging mysteries with a blend of quintessential British humour.
So, if you haven’t yet joined millions of readers in enjoying the murder mysteries, and fancy reading the books, here’s everything you need to know about the Richard Osman books, including the order to read them in!
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You’ll also be pleased to hear that The Thursday Murder Club film will also hitting our TV screens this August. With a star-studded cast, we’ll see Helen Mirren play Elizabeth, Ron by Pierce Brosnan, Joyce by Celia Imrie and Ibrahim by the only and only Ben Kingsley.
Related Story Richard Osman The Thursday Murder Club Books in order: 1: The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
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If you’re looking to an introduction to The Thursday Murder club, there’s no better place to start than here, where the characters are introduced and the Thursday Murder Club meetings at Coopers Chase evolve from trying to crack cold cases into using unorthodox methods to solve a murder closer to home.
The first book’s synopsis reads: “In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, The Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case.”
2: The Man Who Died Twice (2021)
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When The Thursday Murder Club think they’re finally getting a break from solving a real-life murder case, it seems an unexpected visitor turns up at Cooper’s Chase seeking their help. An old pal of Elizabeth (or perhaps more than just a pal?) has been accused of stealing diamonds worth millions from the wrong men and he’s seriously on the lam.
The second book synopsis reads: “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 wouldn’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, wouldn’t that be a bonus? You should never put anything beyond the Thursday Murder Club.”
3: The Bullet That Missed (2022)
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Left wanting more after books one and two? Trouble is never far away for The Thursday Murder Club. A decade-old cold case leads them to a local news legend and a murder with no body and no answers. What will they do next?
The blurb reads: “A new foe pays Elizabeth a visit. Her mission? Kill…or be killed. As the cold case turns white hot, Elizabeth wrestles with her conscience (and a gun), while Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim chase down clues with help from old friends and new. But can the gang solve the mystery and save Elizabeth before the murderer strikes again?”
4: The Last Devil To Die (2023)
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It seems The Thursday Murder Club are being called on more than ever before in book four, but sadly this murder feels quite close to home – an old friend in the antiques business has been killed and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing. Why did the killer want this package so badly?
“As the gang springs into action they encounter art forgers, online fraudsters and drug dealers, as well as heartache close to home. With the body count rising, the package still missing and trouble firmly on their tail, has their luck finally run out? And who will be the last devil to die?”
5: The Impossible Fortune (2025)
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If you’re waiting on Richard Osman’s fifth Thursday Murder Club book, you’ll be pleased to know that The Impossible Fortune will be coming out on the 25th September 2025.
With a wedding on the horizon, you would think that The Thursday Murder Club wouldn’t have time to think about murders… Well, apparently they do. Joyce is busy with table plans and first dances. Elizabeth is grieving. Ron is dealing with family troubles and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favourite criminal. Although, when they come up against a wedding guest who is fearing for their life, the thrill of the chase is ignited once again among them all.
The synopsis reads: “A villain wants access to an uncrackable code and will stop at nothing to get it. Plunged back into their most explosive investigation yet, can the gang solve the puzzle and a murder in time?” We can’t wait!
Related Story
The Thursday Murder Club film trailer has dropped – and it doesn’t disappoint. The best-selling book to TV adaption will be released in selected cinemas in the UK from the 22 August and will be available to stream on Netflix on 28 August.