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hsieh's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I found this book via a friend and returned to it after catching Osman on Task Master. Glad I did: it's full of wit and good humor, with a compelling mystery as well. Perhaps a few too many red herrings but with these characters for company, I didn't mind.
Edit: Reading a friend's review, I'm reminded of one character whose running "gag" is that he is overweight and all the other characters keep commenting on it. Sadly it's like every time this character comes up. Very unfortunate.
Edit: Reading a friend's review, I'm reminded of one character whose running "gag" is that he is overweight and all the other characters keep commenting on it. Sadly it's like every time this character comes up. Very unfortunate.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Fatphobia, and Violence
bechlette47's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
At the end of the audiobook (on Libby) the author Richard Osman is interviewed, and he states how as we grow older, the body gets a bit weaker, but the person inside our mind stays the same. Even though the characters are all in their 70s and 80s, they are still the lovable, caring, vivacious and complex people they were in their youth, and to hear a story from their perspective is amazing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Rape, Suicide, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
stressicalessica's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
ariana3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a good, cute, fun murder mystery book! It wasn't too gorey or thriller heavy. I wouldn't consider this a "dark" murder mystery book. The main group of 4 characters all live at an active senior community. They created the Thursday Murder Club where every Thursday they meet and discuss murder cases to see if the police may have overlooked anything and if they could bring fresh eyes to cases. Nothing ever came of it, just a fun weekly ritual to socialize and discuss logistics from different perspectives. Until.....someone who helped build the community (he was into drugs and the mafia, so not a good dude) was killed just after being on the property, then the developer himself died on the property! So the club got into action! Their main "leader," Elizabeth, began a relationship with the local police detectives, and they all became friends and shared info. Long story short, the gang helps solve the murder and bring info to the police so they can solve and close the cases! The 2 murders turned into a couple more along the way, which got a little confusing but it was all tidied up at the end. I got a little too caught up in the personal stories so I don't think I liked it as much because of that. I did like the little side story of the personal relationship of the 2 police officers (1 male 1 female). I was afraid they themselves would get together which felt weird to me, but the woman set the man up with her mom which was cute!! I was also preoccupied with trying to figure out the twists already in my head which made me not fully enjoy the book. At one point at the end I thought for a while that Joyce was the killer, which made me SO sad because she seemed great! So I'm really glad she stayed as a semi-narrator with her diary entries and not a murderer. Overall I did like the book, and looking forward to reading the next one! I think I might know what it's about but I don't want to spoil it for myself or get too excited. It felt like a good reminder that just because people live in a senior community doesn't mean they're just potatoes and do nothing all day. They still seek out companionship, relationships, friendships, socialization, activities, hobbies, etc. They're still human beings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Dementia, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
lvrlvr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Cancer and Child death
bellerina2000's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Child death
izypup's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Fatphobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
ashleyjean6's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Absolutely brilliant writing, fabulous character development, wonderful sense of humor! It deals with some gritty topics, but it's always a pleasure to read. Witty, intelligent, thought provoking and fun.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Murder, and Alcohol
mariposa517's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
kisara's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The book is serviceable. This is a not terribly challenging detective story featuring characters that may as well be paper cut-outs being paraded about in a diorama. The writing and dialogue are serviceable, although there were many times they reminded me of my fan fiction from high school. The murders aren't really solvable (i.e., like Agatha Christie); you just get presented with the solution (i.e., like A Study in Scarlet). I didn't find myself laughing out loud at all, and the pacing was very slow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, and Murder