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sophiestbr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
3.75
This was a quaint and cosy book, that's the best way I can describe it, despite it being a murder mystery. The idea of it taking place at a retirement home with a cast of characters overwhelmingly over the age of 75 was a surprisingly intriguing and easy to get into.
It is written in a really accessible and straightforward way, the mystery is set up early and in a way that made me want to read on and get to the bottom of it. The characters are rich and interesting, easy to connect to in one way or another.
Where the book fell down for me and soured the experience is a spoiler that comes with a trigger warning, so read on at your own risk:the author used suicide as a way out of storylines or as a scandalous side note far too many times that ultimately left a bad taste in my mouth. I think there were at least 4 characters that committed suicide or whose stories featured it.
Overall, with the above and the fact that I felt too many of the 'red herrings' were resolved too quickly made it less gripping and suspenseful than other crime/mystery novels. That said, I will read at least the next book in this series at some point to give another mystery with this fabulous cast of characters a shot, they were really the highlight for me.
It is written in a really accessible and straightforward way, the mystery is set up early and in a way that made me want to read on and get to the bottom of it. The characters are rich and interesting, easy to connect to in one way or another.
Where the book fell down for me and soured the experience is a spoiler that comes with a trigger warning, so read on at your own risk:
Overall, with the above and the fact that I felt too many of the 'red herrings' were resolved too quickly made it less gripping and suspenseful than other crime/mystery novels. That said, I will read at least the next book in this series at some point to give another mystery with this fabulous cast of characters a shot, they were really the highlight for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Cursing and Pregnancy
chsm8's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, and Murder
nat20charisma's review against another edition
4.75
The main characters of the Thursday Murder Club are charming, though sometimes the aside thoughts are distracting and the characters seem to conveniently know too much. The mystery itself was very well done and I did not see that ending coming!
It was an easy paced enjoyable mystery.
It was an easy paced enjoyable mystery.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child death and Suicide
han_amey's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Terminal illness
brieoqueijo's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was SO GOOD! Honestly, an amazing surprise, I love all the main character and the resolution of “who did it?” actually surprised me, which is quite hard to do these days. I laughed out laud, cried (twice) and gasped multiple times. I’d run to my roommate to tell her about it and even call my mom. Now I’m giving it to my mom so we can gossip about it. I’m super excited to read the second book and I hope there are more to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Deportation
annaeslane's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Delightful cast of characters. Although the last 40 pages or so were incredibly dark compared to the rest of the book, I’m still very charmed by it all. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Dementia
Moderate: Child death
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 against another edition
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
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