The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over a few weeks (as able)

Pages -

Publisher - Viking

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

It's the following Thursday.

Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.

As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus?

But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?


My Review

This is the second in the series by Osman, you don't have to have read the first to read this and I actually prefer this of the two. I think Osman has found his feet and certainly more comfortable with his craft in this one. Back with our favourites in the retirement village, The Thursday Murder Club, elderly resident who pull together and their resources to solve mysteries/murders. DCI Hudson and PC Donna Freitas are back too investigating and also us getting to know them and each other more personally.

When a letter comes to Elizabeth from an old flame we head into a mystery of stolen diamonds, Elizabeth's past and how she has so many connections. Local dodgy dealers, drug runners, thugs and allmanners of skulduggery.

I think I liked this one better because we already know our characters strengths and weaknesses orflaws. This time we get a bit more depth and insight into Elizabeth and the team work together to solve her mystery and the assault of one of their nearest and dearest.

The book is super busy but not in a distraction type of way, we are offered page turning intrigue, interest, murder, investigation, shade or past reveal. We also have Joyce's diary style entries so along with the case we get those insights too.

The characters are older but anything but dull. Loyal, nosey, fierce, interesting and very human. They have ailments, fears, vulnerabilities, snipes, moods and humour, more than a few chuckles had throughout this one. I hope he has more than a few of these still to pen as I think they will just become better and better as the series goes on, 4/5 for me.

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