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ndpmclean's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What a fun story! It's certainly had some agatha Christie Miss Marple vibes going on, and it was interesting how everything was wrapped up. I feel like the sequel will continue off some of this story. I will seek out the sequel this year for sure.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
abicaro17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Its ok. The characters are underdeveloped and boring. The plot only makes sense like half the time. There are some funny/cute moments but they're generally overshadowed by shitty plot or bad character arcs. This book had potential but its kinda a flop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ms_elchert's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The characters were lovely. I imagine I will pick up the next in the series at some point because I thought it was a charming read, even though it wasn't my usual cup of tea.
Also, I know it's a murder mystery but I wasn't expecting so much casual death. Was a bit grim at times.
Also, I know it's a murder mystery but I wasn't expecting so much casual death. Was a bit grim at times.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Medical content, Dementia, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
luciferin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
PLEASE read and heed the trigger warnings for this book. I didn’t, and I can only tell you that if I had, I probably would’ve hesitated reading it, because that one specific warning TRIGGER WARNING suicide isn’t just something mentioned in passing in the book, MILD SPOILER WITHOUT SPOILING MUCH it happens, repeatedly, and more or less graphically.
Anyhow. This book made me laugh, then cry, then laugh again, then stare melancholically into the distance, then cry again. It made me gasp and question the whole plot I just read, it made me root for people I maybe shouldn’t root for (but always will, because I LOVE. MORALLY GREY CHARACTERS. Always have, always will. Because life is fucking morally grey. And I both LOVE the ending and dread its implications.) I really like all of the characters and I cannot wait to see where their paths will take them.
The dialogues are incredibly funny and so very British, the pop culture references were so good and there were quite a few plot twists (both storywise and in the development of one character or another) that I didn’t see coming, which rarely happens. It was a very enjoyable read, and a mystery slash crime that didn’t try the absolute hardest (while failing) to be sooo inventive and new and what have you. But it still manages exactly that. It’s a fresh-ish view (sometimes it kinda feels like visiting all of Agatha C‘s figures in the retirement home they live in together, but in a nice, old memories way, not in the way of plagiarism) of crime solving with a group of people that have seemingly lived their lives with spouses and children and careers and such, who now still have just as much fun in using their different abilities (I love Ibbsy and Joyce and Bogdan especially) to solve murderous puzzles.
I also like how it alludes to things they have done before coming to CC and I‘m really excited to learn more about Elizabeth‘s past at some point, even though I have a hunch about her vocation. I like how the author often sets us on wrong tracks until we suddenly understand what exactly is happening or who is involved; it often made me notice that I am still, unfortunately, thinking in a very socially normative (not to say heteronormative, able-bodied, ageist kind of way, because I pride myself on AT THE VERY LEAST noticing if I do and correcting myself; so rather in a pop culturally normalised) way, MILD UNSPOILERYfor example with Donna and Chris. I never would have thought of THAT. And I LOVE IT. I love when books do that.
I also like how it alludes to things they have done before coming to CC and I‘m really excited to learn more about Elizabeth‘s past at some point, even though I have a hunch about her vocation. I like how the author often sets us on wrong tracks until we suddenly understand what exactly is happening or who is involved; it often made me notice that I am still, unfortunately, thinking in a very socially normative (not to say heteronormative, able-bodied, ageist kind of way, because I pride myself on AT THE VERY LEAST noticing if I do and correcting myself; so rather in a pop culturally normalised) way, MILD UNSPOILERY
Also, please be aware that while this IS indeed a book about murder old and new, it also talks about lot about transience in life, loss, the pain of living itself, loneliness, estrangement from family members and or friends or lovers, the impact of being oneself on the life one gets to live. Characters are desperate, lonely, tired of living, ill, slowly slipping from their loved ones‘ grasp. It is FULL of heavy topics, so if these things are not something you want with your lighthearted crime solving, skip this. And again, HEED THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.
Still, even though none of these are topics I actively seek out and or enjoy or usually read willingly if I can avoid them, the descriptions of the TMC‘s members‘ lives actually weirdly give me hope. I am not scared of aging: it is very much a privilege which only few of us get to enjoy. But seeing those wonderful elderly people with all of their pasts and aches and losses just having fun with their friends, accomodating their lives to what they can do and how, and joking about it. I want to be like that later on.
So yeah, I am very much looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Oh and also, Joyce and Donna teaching Elizabeth how to be modern and and correct and inclusive in her way of speaking? Love.
Oh and also, Joyce and Donna teaching Elizabeth how to be modern and and correct and inclusive in her way of speaking? Love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
aphraclare's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
klj1236's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
nick_thebucket's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I listened to the audiobook instead of reading it so take this with a grain of salt: the writing was just alright.
The characters were very lovable, and for a mystery novel there really weren't that many loose ends.
The characters were very lovable, and for a mystery novel there really weren't that many loose ends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Medical content, Abortion, and Alcohol
misskitty14's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you're a fan of Only Murders in the Building, this novel is great for you.
Set in an English retirement community, a group of senior sleuths investigate cold cases as a hobby when a murder happens in their backyard.
The mystery is solid; there are quite a few red herrings that all turn out to be mysteries in their own right. But the real joy of the novel is the cast of characters. Osman has wonderfully captured the spirit of septuagenarians (ex. their comedic focus on unimportant details). I found myself audibly chuckling at passages throughout the book as they reminded me of parents and grandparents long gone.
Finally, and perhaps this is just because of where I am in my own life, the setting and characters sparked a bit of self-reflection. I think it is difficult to read the novel and not consider what you want your retirement to look like, to think about what your future will be at a stage in life that we rarely explore as a society. Will you have children and grandchildren to visit with you? Do you want to live in the same home you did all your life? Will you prefer to live in this sort of close-knit, active community of elderly peers?
Ultimately, I am interested to see what other adventures the Thursday Murder Club gets itself into.
Set in an English retirement community, a group of senior sleuths investigate cold cases as a hobby when a murder happens in their backyard.
The mystery is solid; there are quite a few red herrings that all turn out to be mysteries in their own right. But the real joy of the novel is the cast of characters. Osman has wonderfully captured the spirit of septuagenarians (ex. their comedic focus on unimportant details). I found myself audibly chuckling at passages throughout the book as they reminded me of parents and grandparents long gone.
Finally, and perhaps this is just because of where I am in my own life, the setting and characters sparked a bit of self-reflection. I think it is difficult to read the novel and not consider what you want your retirement to look like, to think about what your future will be at a stage in life that we rarely explore as a society. Will you have children and grandchildren to visit with you? Do you want to live in the same home you did all your life? Will you prefer to live in this sort of close-knit, active community of elderly peers?
Ultimately, I am interested to see what other adventures the Thursday Murder Club gets itself into.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Dementia, and Grief
oliverreeds's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Alcohol