Submitted by 2kyle2furious t3_10rs7sd in books

I'm not sure how murder can be a charming action that brings people together for some wholesome problem solving, but that's what happens in this book. It's a delight! There's four people in an English retirement home solving old unsolved murders. But then, a murder happens at the retirement home! Yay! The delighted crew sets about getting to the bottom of things. More murders happen! They are delighted to be suspects! There's lots of funny moments and the twists and turns are well done. It's overall a great read. I've been talking about this book nonstop since I read it. Happily, there's three books in this series that are out right now.

114

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Wolfidy t1_j6x9714 wrote

I loved these books too! It helps that as a child I also knew a mysterious and beautiful Elizabeth (def wasn’t a spy though). I have the fourth book on preorder, can’t wait to see what the gang gets into next.

2

kaysn t1_j6xahgo wrote

Agreed. The Man Who Died Twice being my favorite, the 2nd book in the series. The foursome are just so charming. It's got that dry British humor. And filled with very human moments.

9

Glarbluk t1_j6xaw65 wrote

I did not really enjoy this book but I am glad you did. It was not without merit but I know the guy was a writer for TV or something and it showed by how the plot was done. I have yet to try anything else by him

2

ba_ru_co t1_j6xbmdx wrote

I just finished the 3rd book in the series the other day. I think it's my favorite of the 3. They are fun books and I love everyone in the group.

14

No-Flow1807 t1_j6xoe62 wrote

Ooo sounds great! I feel like I would really love this, I love murder mysteries and people who love murder mysteries. This it definitely going to be my next read!!

3

swearyslav t1_j6xwlco wrote

Definitely feels like Richard Osman refined the sense of humour in the second book as I've laughed out loud more often. First two are those enjoyable one day reads, but haven't read the third yet.

Also he's announced a fourth one, even though I think he had initially said there were only going to be three and so cries in book wishlist

9

Dhorlin t1_j6y1phh wrote

Absolutely agree, OP. I've read all three and loved each one.

I tried The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland and it was...OK. I've just got the second book in The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood (of Death in Paradise fame) and I'm looking forward to that.

Eta: Forgot to mention Murder Before Evensong by Reverend Richard Coles. That wasn't too bad for a first try.

4

DarthSamwiseAtreides t1_j6y8gg1 wrote

Glad you liked it, but I must have read it at the wrong time or something, because it's one of my few DNFs.

12

Schezzi t1_j6ywo7e wrote

They're super lovable - I enjoy the constant callbacks in the sequels, and the situational developments for all the characters over the series (including minor ones), and Joyce's wry unreliable first-person chapters.

1

artaxias1 t1_j6z8mrb wrote

Thanks, I was trying to decide what to use my about to expire Audible credit on and could not make up my mind, but this book sounds great, and I'd never heard of it until your post!

1

Denster1 t1_j6zz7lw wrote

Could not disagree more.

The book was very mediocre. The 2nd book wasn't any better, and I have no intention of reading the third

1

Known_Study3560 t1_j70718b wrote

I described it as Agatha Christie at a posh retirement community.

1

eilig t1_j70a3i8 wrote

I wish I could have liked it as much as you did. I was bored the entire time, unfortunately, though the characters were lovely.

1

munkie15 t1_j70e4si wrote

Those three books are some of my favorite whodunits. I love all the characters and their development through out the books.

2

bmcthomas t1_j70knue wrote

I just finished reading this! I recognized Richard Is man’s name from UK panel shows and thought I’d give it a try. I really enjoyed it - didn’t know there were more; I will look them up.

1

Carlyawesome t1_j70ypk2 wrote

I have been telling everyone I know to read these books- they are a gem. To be fair, the mystery towards the end of book one gets a bit unwieldy, but he refines his style by book two so that the plot comes together in a more straightforward manner. Characters are great and by the end of book three they all felt like my friends. It also did a good job of highlighting the good things about getting old without glamorizing it unnecessarily

1

misterintensity2 t1_j72plrf wrote

I thought about using it as a book club pick for the library I work at but there are too many copies out at the moment for me to reserve a good amount of copies for the club.

1

No_Cattle5564 t1_j72qqqp wrote

Yeah every character is unique and likable. I think this is the first book in which I loved all the characters

1

AvocadoKaleBabe t1_j73a9nt wrote

I found it disappointing. I really like Richard Osman (as a presenter). I found the book contrived & unoriginal. It’s perfectly readable, but not worth the hype in my opinion.

2

Intelligent_Cat6983 t1_j7ea14f wrote

I have this on my 'to read' list, but it almost sounds like the premise of Only Murders in the Building.

1