Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Narrator: Lesley Manville
Published by Penguin Audio on September 22, 2020
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 12 hours, 25 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved killings.
But when a local property developer shows up dead, 'The Thursday Murder Club' find themselves in the middle of their first live case.
The four friends, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it's too late?
I am having a lot of trouble with starting books in new worlds these days, particularly when there are lots of characters and intricate layers of plot. The Thursday Murder Club is a masterwork of characters; it is a delight. But there are so many! The characters are all beautifully presented.
Our four septuagenarian stars are quite distinct and precious. Joyce is our only real point of view, as she writes her diary entries. These friends are comfortable; they know and support each others’ idiosyncrasies. There is something utterly charming and sometimes amusing about their investigation. Like Miss Marple, they know people through long observation, but they also have experience from their lives and a wide range of friends and contacts to gather the facts they need.
I loved watching them work out the possibilities and pursue information. Their initial group was formed going through cold cases from their friend, Penny, who was a cop and is now at the end of her days. But when a murder happens in their community, they are certain they can assist with a live case. They try to help the police with the investigation and humorously manage to run the case quite well.
I highly recommend this murder mystery with the amateurs in the chase. There was an interview at the end of the audio with the author and I’m thrilled to say this will be a series, with these easy-to-love characters, and more of their meddling with current cases I’m sure.
Narration:
I don’t believe I have listened to this narrator previously. Her voice sounded correct for the locale and her performance added to the enjoyment with the emotional inflections. I listened a bit more slowly than usual at 1.25x because of the detailed plot and large number of characters.
Listen to a clip:
About Lesley Manville
Lesley Manville is an actress of theater, film, and television who has worked extensively with director Mike Leigh. Her performances have garnered accolades and numerous awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Phantom Thread.
About Richard Osman
Richard Osman is an author, producer and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club is his first novel. He is well known for TV shows including Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. As the creative director of Endemol UK, Richard has worked as an executive producer on numerous shows including Deal Or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is also a regular on panel and game shows such as Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You and Taskmaster.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
This sounds unique! I love the 80 year old sleuths, what a fun idea?
It is charming. I really enjoyed it.
Lesley Manville is a great actress, she has been in lots of good films and tv! I need to get my hands on this book!
Well I didn’t know her as an actress but this story is something special. I hope yu love it as much as I did.
I just got my library audio & e-copy so I’ll come back to your review once I’ve finished. Glad to see you liked it so much to give it four and half stars! 🙂
I hope you love it too. It’s really enjoyable.