The Thursday Murder Club

 The Thursday Murder Club

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       January 17, 2022

 

Author  Richard Osman

Distributor:      Penguin.
ISBN:                 9780241988268
Publisher:         Viking Press, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House.
Release Date:   15 April 2021  

   Website:   https://www.penguin.com.au

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If you have not read The Thursday Murder Club, then you are missing out on a huge treat. It is set in a Retirement Village in England. Joyce has just arrived at the Village and is sitting down for her breakfast when one of the women comes over to ask her for an opinion.

Joyce was a nurse for many years. She is happy to oblige. The question put to her was, regarding the time it would take for a young woman to die from stab wounds. Joyce is thoughtful and asks how much the woman weighed. This causes a ripple, as the file which Elizabeth, her new friend, is carrying, only gives the weight in kilos. There is a Maths whizz at the next table who can convert, and so Joyce gives her considered opinion.

What a fabulous introduction to a murder mystery story, and to a wonderful, rich, and vital array of characters. If you can read just one page without a smile or a chuckle, it will be rare. You see, Elizabeth runs the Murder Club (which meets every Thursday in the Jigsaw room). She has held a very exalted position in the law enforcement area, as has her friend Penny.

They have made copies of files from unsolved or suspicious deaths and go through them with a fine-tooth comb. They have help from Ron, who was a Union activist and can detect false statements instantly. There is also Ibrahim, a retired Psychiatrist, and deep thinker, to advise.

While the Murder Club is focussed on its own case, a developer who wants to extend the Retirement Village, is murdered. The Police are involved and quickly realise that Elizabeth and her group are valuable to them. Unhampered by protocol, the group set about solving the complex case, which will keep the reader guessing until the end.  A fantastic and entertaining read.

Note: This is an unsolicited review, but our Reviewer felt was too good not to write one.

Crime, Fiction