Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

26 reviews

tangleroot_eli's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

Three people I know recommended this book to me. If they'd led with how funny it is, I might've read it sooner. On the other hand, if they'd led with how corpse-strewn and emotional it is, I might've read it sooner, too. (Basically, what I'm saying is, if you're going to recommend a book to me, please tell me why you think I'd like it. No matter how much I like you, just telling me, "I liked it" won't convince me.) Anyway. This is a funny, emotional, corpse-strewn mystery, and I liked it a lot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Classism

Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Graphic: Ageism Moderate: Nonconsensual drug use, Euthanasia

ariannabis26's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Domestic abuse

dkamada's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol

Minor: Domestic abuse, Abortion, Pregnancy, and War

gillianengelbrecht's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy

jlaz_13's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, and Violence

Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy

mcc004's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Dementia, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Fatphobia

te_ss_i's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Pregnancy

revafisheye's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Charming cozy mystery set in an upscale retirement community. Aside from the murder-mystery aspects, it touches on grief and loss in ways I was not expecting. I have already recommended it to several friends.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Suicide, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Domestic abuse

vivisms_82's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Firstly, Lesley Manville was the perfect narrator to tell this story - she expertly captured the dry, British humour and made each character distinct. This version also featured a Q & A at the end with Marian Keyes; I do not like any of her books but she was delightful and did a good interview. I do agree with Marian that Bogdan and Joyce were my favourites too.

I did find that although the book made me smile a lot and was interesting, the tying together of all the loose ends becomes quite convoluted. I had to rewind a few times because I kept thinking "huh?" And then realised that yes, it was confusing with a lot of threads running at the same time that did and didn't overlap. Perhaps red-herrings but not quite. I eventually got it all but let me tell you, 10 mins after finishing the book, I couldn't tell you all the ins and outs without getting muddled again!

I found the regular references to DCI Chris' weight, his body and what he eats problematic. It was in no way sympathetic or necessary; it felt like casual fat shaming for the sake of some outdated comedy.  Donna pretending the elevator wasn't working so he had to walk, Steven saying he could he could help him fix his belly at his gym when Chris was not even asking! I could go on and on. Don't get me wrong, we readers want to know our characters but I found this relentless and served no purpose;  I wanted to protect him from further scrutiny from Richard Osman's pen!

Having worked in aged care for many years, I loved how thoughtful, realistic and unpatronising Richard Osman made his characters. Overall a pleasant read. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Murder

thirza's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Suicide

Moderate: Domestic abuse