Read time: 4 minutes
š±š Read on Kindle | š 413 pages
ā± Duration: 5 hours | š·ļø Publisher: Viking
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
Itās just another ordinary Thursday, until the Thursday Murder Club gets tangled in a decade-old case about a missing journalist and a murder that never quite added up. When Elizabeth receives a chilling message from a shadowy figure who turns the game into kill-or-be-killed, things take a terrifying turn. From luxury penthouses to prison espresso machines, our beloved crew races against time to solve the mystery, protect each other, and keep the laughs rolling. Richard Osman returns with even sharper wit and more heart in this latest cozy caper.
Let’s talk … murder!!!
Back to the TMC train and loving the ride! In the third installment, Richard Osman handed me a great time, with a side of chaos and a naive blackmailer I did not see coming. This book takes everything we love about the TMC (twisty plots, unexpected friendships, and laugh-out-loud moments) and amplifies it. The writing is sharper, the plotting is tighter, and the humor is just chef’s kiss. Every time I thought a situation couldn’t get more absurdly, delightfully ridiculous, he escalated it. But these impossible scenarios somehow made perfect sense here because that’s the magic of the cozy world we sign up for.
The character growth continues to impress me. Elizabeth’s layers keep peeling back in the most unexpected ways. The new additions (I’m not spoiling anything, but yes, the ex-KGB angle is just so brilliant) fit in so naturally that you forget they weren’t always there. Ron’s new love interest brought me genuine joy. I just feel slightly bad for Ibrahim as I feel he’s being left out, but maybe something comes up in the future installments for him too? The celebrity subplot might have been gimmicky, but it actually lands because Osman trusts his characters enough to not let any storyline become just a punchline. The humour is earned, every single time.
Book 3 hits the sweet spot where laughter and murder coexist perfectly. This is the one where Richard Osman is fully in the driver’s seat, grinning and absolutely flooring it. I finished this book grinning right back,, and immediately started looking up Book 4. No regrets. Zero!
Would I recommend it?
If cozy mysteries that are actually funny, and not just charming, are you thing, then this series is non-negotiable. Book 3 peaks so far. The characters feel like friends you’re rooting for. The mystery keeps you guessing, and Osman never lets the warmth outrun the wit. This one is a joyful blend of crime and comedy that cements Osman’s spot as cozy mystery royalty. Jump in, stay, in, don’t fight it!
If You Loved This, Try These:
- Vera Wongās Unsolicited Advice for MurderersĀ by Jesse Q. Sutanto ā quirky, warmhearted, and unexpectedly hilarious.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy - The Marlow Murder ClubĀ by Robert Thorogood ā another retirement-age sleuth squad solving smart mysteries.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy - The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith ā Same warm, unhurried energy with endearing characters solving local mysteries; cozy mystery readers feel right at home.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy - Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz ā If the layered plotting of TMC hooked you, this meta-mystery delivers clever, twisty storytelling at its most satisfying.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy - The Windsor KnotĀ by S.J. Bennett ā Queen Elizabeth as detective? Yes, please.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
Murder, Mayhem & Laughter: What Do You Say?
Do you think murder mysteries should always stayĀ realistic, or is part of the fun embracing the impossible coziness Osman serves up? Drop your thoughts below: are you Team āreal-life crimeā or Team ālaugh-out-loud cozyā?
Book Links:
Want to purchase this or any of your favorite books while supporting a local bookstore? Consider purchasing using the sites below. These sites work with independent local bookstore owners to fulfill your book orders. #SupportLocal
Indiebookstores.ca | Bookshop.org
Track & discover: Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
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So glad you enjoyed this.
I thought this was the best one in the series. Great review, and glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.
After finished the series, I feel “The Last Devil to Die” to be my favorite. I cried and cried and cried with that book