Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman

Mystery

Rating: 8.5/10

Killing someone is easy…it’s the hiding of the body that will get you caught. A truism as far as the crime this novel unravels is concerned.

Our Thursday Murder club meets in the common room in a peaceful retirement village, where our sleuths are four seniors that keep everyone, criminals and cops alike, on their toes. As people tend to overlook those of a certain age, these smart and savvy folks insert themselves into the thick of it before others even know they are there.

The author imbues his story with a dry wit that will have the reader laughing aloud at what seem to be inappropriate moments.  Illustrated by scenes like when our killer chastises herself for having a cigarette at the sight of where she buried her victim.  She forgives herself for indulging in her one and only vice. 

I found myself smiling the entire time I was reading this, the characters where a delight and this book is an absolute gem! A charming change of pace from the popular thrillers crowding the bookstores.

Footnote: Here is a quick guide to the sub-categories of mystery novels!  So many…it’s worth noting that these sub-categories have their own sub-categories and so on.  I had to fight the urge to free fall down the rabbit hole!

Cozy

The crime is typically bloodless and not too gruesome, and the victim likely won’t be missed.  Almost always set in a small town or confined setting with friendly neighbors…except for the killer of course!

Books That Fit…any Miss Marple by Agatha Christie, No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith, The Flavia De Luce Series by Alan Bradley, Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz, and this book I just reviewed!

Police Procedural

The emphasis on these stories fits within the framework of factual law and order operations being implemented by a member of the police force. Forensics play a big role in the solving of these particular crimes and motive is always revealed.

Books That Fit…Enigma Of China by Qiu Xiaolong, Prey novels by John Sandford, Harry Bosch novels by Michael Connelly, The Girl In The Ice by Robert Bryndza, The Searcher by Tana French

Suspense

Usually in these books the tables are turned, instead of a protagonist pursing the criminal, here they are the ones being pursued. The tension is more psychological in nature than high adrenaline action. 

Books That Fit…The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler, Framed by S.L. McInnis, Trust No One by Paul Cleave, The Woman In The Window by A. J. Finn, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Thrillers

Akin to suspense but with higher stakes, faster pace and a consistent level of tension.  It’s here that your adrenaline levels will spike, and your pulse will pound!

Books That Fit…He Started It by Samantha Downing, Tell No One by Harlan Coben, The Chain by Adrian McKinty, Freefall by Jessica Barry, This Story is A Lie by Tom Pollock

Crime/Heist

Here the reader will be wondering how the crime will, or did, work.  In these books we often find ourselves rooting for the “bad” guys, who are known to the reader from the outset. Often, they get pulled into, or back into, a life a crime in order to protect others.

Books That Fit…The Coyotes Of Carthage by Steven Wright, Safecracker by Ryan Wick, Love And Theft by Stan Parish, Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Crosby, The Assistants by Camille Perri

Caper

There is a fine line between humorous and heinous and a caper style mystery embraces that in every way. Instead of characters that are suave and calculating, they are bumbling or snarky or quirky.

Books That Fit…Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen, Burglars Can’t Be Choosers by Lawrence Block, Noir by Christopher Moore, Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer, The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

Locked Room

These mysteries involve a crime that seems physically impossible to have committed.  The term comes from a crime where the murder victim is in a room completely locked from the inside with seemingly no way for the killer to escape.

Books That Fit…The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware, Malice by Keigo Higashino, No Exit by Taylor Adams, The & 7 ½ Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, Death In The Family by Tessa Wegert

Private Eye

Also referred to as hard-boiled, these professionals have the skills to solve the crime without necessarily having to follow all of those pesky laws that the police do. And the lead character is usually struggling with their own demons, never mind those of their clients.

Books That Fit…The Missing American by Kwei Quartey, Trouble Is What I Do by Walter Mosley, Claire DeWitt & The City Of The Dead by Sara Gran, Follow Her Home by Steph Cha, Sleight Of Hand by Philip Margolin

Noir

These books are all about the mood; gritty, bleak and often unforgiving.  The other end of the spectrum from the Cozy. As with the PI, the lead characters are usually battling a demon…or two.

Books That Fit…Out by Natsuo Kirino, And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman, Strangers On A Train by Patricia Highsmith, The Plotters by Un-su Kim, A Simple Plan by Scott Smith

Spy/Espionage

If you like international intrigue with your mysteries, spy and espionage tales are the way to go. While you might be inclined to think these may lean towards the “old-school” secret keeping and spy craft, recent years have seen a surge of works by and cast with women.

Books That Fit…The Coldest Warrior by Paul Vidich, I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carre, American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson, The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

Amateur Sleuth

These folks are either self-styled outsiders or are perceived that way by society. Often, they believe the police are misreading the clues and offer up their opinions without awaiting an invitation.

Books That Fit…The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James, Mr. Penumbras 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, A Clue For The Puzzle Lady by Parnell Hall, Primary Obsessions by Charles Demers, Opium And Absinthe by Lydia Kan