The Thursday Murder Club Review – Book Synopsis
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Title |
The Thursday Murder Club |
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Author |
Richard Osman |
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Genre |
Thriller Mystery, Cozy Mistery |
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Format |
400 pages, Hardcover |
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Published |
3 Sept. 2020, Viking |
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ISBN-10 |
0241425441 |
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ISBN-13 |
978-0241425442 |
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Language |
English |
The Thursday Murder Club Review – Quick Summary
The Thursday Murder Club Review – Trigger Warnings, Sensitive Topics and Age Rating
Before we go any further, I always like to include a quick note on sensitive content. Every reader is different, and some themes in this book might be difficult for certain people.
If you prefer to check content warnings before reading, just click below to reveal the list of trigger warnings, sensitive topics and age ratting.
My Thoughts
Let me start with a confession (no pun intended — okay, maybe just a little!): I didn’t expect much from The Thursday Murder Club when I first picked it up. I thought it would be a light, cozy mystery, just something easy to read because, well… everyone was talking about it. Total hype pick.
But just a few pages in? I fell completely in love with the characters and the world they live in. I didn’t see it coming, and honestly, it’s clear now that this series has become my all-time favourite cozy mystery.
The tone, the clever structure, and the emotional depth pulled me in more than I expected. It’s fun and quirky, yes, but it also has so much to say about aging, friendship, and staying curious about life. I totally get the hype now!
What I Loved
All of the characters in The Thursday Murder Club bring something fun, surprising, or sweet to the story, but for me, Joyce’s chapters are the best! Her diary entries are smart, funny, and full of little details. She notices everything (and everyone), and she writes about it in a way that’s both kind and curious, which makes it even better.
What I love most is how she describes things. She can talk about sandwiches, cardigans, or someone’s eyebrows, and somehow make it the funniest thing you’ve read all day. Even when she’s chatting about something small, it always makes me smile. Her voice feels real, like a friend who’s always got something new to say.
She’s not just there for laughs, though. Joyce brings a lot of heart to the story. Through her, we see what it’s like to grow older and still want to be needed and part of something exciting.
The rest of the group is great too. Elizabeth is sharp and always seems to know more than she shares, with a strong, take-charge energy. Ron is loud, funny, and loves to stir things up—his arguments with the developer had me laughing. Ibrahim is calm, thoughtful, and the voice of wisdom for the group. But Joyce? Joyce is the glue that holds them all together!
What Surprised Me
One of the most special things about The Thursday Murder Club is how it shows a group of strangers slowly becoming like family. Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron, and Ibrahim are all very different people, and they didn’t start out as close friends. But through their weekly meetings (and solving the odd murder), they grow closer. They share laughs, look out for each other, and form real, lasting connections, the kind that feel chosen.
This story reminds us that it’s never too late to find your people. Even in a retirement village like Coopers Chase, where life is supposed to slow down, they find purpose and friendship in each other. They become more than neighbors, they become a team. A found family. And that might be the most heartwarming part of the whole book.
What Didn’t Work for Me
At the beginning, I felt a little lost. It took a couple of chapters to get used to Coopers Chase, its big cast, and the switching between Joyce’s diary entries and third-person chapters.
With so many characters, it can feel like meeting an entire village all at once. And like many cozy mysteries, the story is a slow burn, the mystery doesn’t kick in right away because there’s a lot of world-building up front.
But honestly? I didn’t mind. I loved spending time with the characters and their quirky world. Once I settled in, I didn’t want to stop reading.
Vibe Check
Coopers Chase might be a retirement village, but it’s definitely not quiet. There’s always something going on, secrets, friendships, a little romance, old memories, and just the right amount of chaos.
The book feels warm and funny, but it also has serious moments that make you think. The mix of British humour and real emotion gives it a special tone that stays with you long after you finish reading..
About The Plot Twist
No spoilers here, but yes, there are a few twists. I had plenty of guesses, and I was still wrong. The reveal didn’t come with a big dramatic moment, it was quiet, clever, and really well done.
Richard Osman doesn’t throw in surprises just to shock you. He takes his time, layering small details until everything clicks into place. It’s the kind of twist that makes you want to flip back to the beginning and spot all the clues you missed.
And it’s not just the main mystery, even the parallel storyline is interesting and has its own layers. It adds more depth and keeps you wondering how everything will connect.
Conclusion
The Thursday Murder Club is more than a cozy murder mystery. It’s a warm, human story about people who stay curious and helpful, even when the world thinks they should slow down.
This book it’s full of clever plans, and touching moments. It’s an easy read, short and smart chapters, surprising twists, and lots of charm, The Thursday Murder Club is a perfect start to a series!
Some Book Quotes
“We are doing something illegal, but we are past the age of caring. Perhaps we are raging against the dying of the light, but that is poetry, not life.”
“People without a sense of humour will never forgive you for being funny.”
When have I let you down?” “Well, never, Ibrahim,” agrees Elizabeth. “That’s why I like to keep you around. Also, you make very good tea.
Let’s Chat!
Have you read The Thursday Murder Club? Who’s your favorite character? Did the twists catch you off guard? Are you just starting the series or rereading it like me?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, drop a comment below, let’s chat!
