Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman Narrator: Fiona Shaw
Series: Thursday Murder Club #3
Published by Penguin Audio on September 20, 2022
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 11 hours, 15 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club are concerned. A local news legend is on the hunt for a sensational headline, and soon the gang are hot on the trail of two murders, ten years apart.
To make matters worse, a new nemesis pays Elizabeth a visit, presenting her with a deadly mission: kill or be killed...
While Elizabeth grapples with her conscience (and a gun), the gang and their unlikely new friends (including TV stars, money launderers and ex-KGB colonels) unravel a new mystery. But can they catch the culprit and save Elizabeth before the murderer strikes again?
It is always a pleasure to ride along with the Thursday Murder Club series. The main characters are 4 seniors in a home in England. They each have their own skills and capabilities. Chapters are set in alternating points of view of the Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim and Ron. Sometimes it is in their friend or even suspects point of view. We even get the point of view of Alan, Joyce’s dog!
The foursome is looking into a cold case. It is a combination of theft and murder. The murder was of a journalist who was thought to have caught on to the scheme of the theft. They go to see a show of one of the journalist’s co-worker hoping to gather some information. Concurrently, Elizabeth and Stephen are kidnapped and told that Elizabeth must murder someone or their kidnapper will murder Joyce.
I enjoy them so much! They are the most endearing people, smart and funny and loyal. They do some outrageous things and it is hilarious. Joyce has a possible crush. She’s enjoying her new dog and Instagram page. Elizabeth is worried about her husband and his increasing dementia. Ron has a new girlfriend. Ibrahim is mostly recovered from the last adventure and is trying a new client.
Joyce was looking up some information for their case. She talks about how she couldn’t find it on Google. Then says she even tried looking it up on Bing, to get the same result, only more slowly.
They are in situations which seem quite dangerous. Luckily, many don’t take them seriously, to their complete detriment. Also, their great experience in life, seems to keep them calm and competent in the worst situations. I loved this so much and can’t recommend it more highly. I would read them in order just because you don’t want to miss any of them. There was a lovely chat at the end with the author and I’m pleased to know there will definitely be more books.
Narration:
Lesley Manville narrated the previous two books so I was a little worried since I don’t always transition well to a new narrator once I get one in my head. While I noticed a difference, I was comfortable with Fiona Shaw. Her voice for Elizabeth seemed the most natural to me, but the others worked as well. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Fiona Shaw
Fiona was born in London in 1964. Her place of birth is now a hospital broom cupboard and her first home was on a street later obliterated beneath a superstore off the Cromwell Rd. However, she passed most of her childhood as the eldest of three girls in a lovely and spacious family home near the Thames.
Fiona studied various literatures at the Universities of York and Sussex, finishing with a PhD on poet Elizabeth Bishop.
Since then, Fiona has written a memoir and four novels and done the habitual round of the novelist’s other jobs to help balance out her stubborn desire to write.
Fiona has worked as a Royal Literary Fund writing fellow at the University of York, 2007-2009, and is now working as RLF writing fellow in Sheffield University, attached to the Animal and Plant Sciences Department.
Living in York with her partner and two daughters, Fiona reads a great deal, cycles everywhere, grows vegetables with variable success and acquires more films than she ever gets around to watching. She is working on her fifth novel.
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:
- 22-COYER
Another winning book in the series. I don’t like when narrators are changed for a series. Its good to know this narrator worked out well.
The books are amazing. I was apprehensive but this narrator worked out ok. I don’t change well either.
I don’t think the new narrator worked out. She whispers too much making it difficult to understand what she’s reading. I’ve just started and seriously considering reading the book instead of listening
I prefered the first narrator but I was ok with this one. I’m sorry because I have had that issue myself. It isn’t always that there is anything wrong with the new narrator, for me I’m just hearing the original so it’s jarring.
I do want to read this series eventually. Your reviews have been great at convincing me. 🙂
You must! I don’t know how you could not love them.
Glad the change didn’t ruin it for you.
Thank you Carole. I was worried because sometimes it doesn’t work for me, but it was fine.
I just got this today! Can’t wait to get to it. Love your review, Anne💜
Thank you Jonetta. I try not to spoil and not repeat the details from reviews on the first two books which leaves me with a small set of ideas to share.
These four characters sound so fun. And I love that you get the dog’s POV in this one, too. 😀
It’s really a stellar series. I highly recommend it.
I’ve heard wonderful things about this series. I’m so glad you enjoyed this 3rd book in the series too.
They really are fun with some great humor.
This sounds like such a fun series. Adding it to my TBR!
I believe you will love it. I would start at the beginning.
I just read the first book and really enjoyed it! I’m looking forward to reading the 2nd book and getting to this one.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I think they are so fun.
I love this series but got rejected on both NG & Edelweiss. I just requested a copy. It’s a long wait, though. I’m looking forward to this one and now I don’t have to write a review! 🙂
I got rejected on Netgalley also. But luckily I could get the audio ARC. I love this series so much. There are some books I just get from the library so I don’t have to write a review also.
I’m waiting to get my hands on this book, as I’ve read the first two and liked them. I may have to wait for it to get to the library as NG has not approved my getting the ARC
I didn’t get the Netgalley ARC either was glad to get the audio. It’s a great series.
Gah it stinks when they change narrators. Sometimes it works…sometimes not
Exactly. I thought this one went well enough with the new narrator.