The Thursday Murder Club

This morning I caught up with the Fi and Jane podcast Fortunately. They had R.O. as their guest and they talked about this book. I'll look out for it. Thanks.

I have read this book and enjoyed it but it won't be sitting on my bookshelf for a second read sometime in the future. It isn't a thriller in the true sense of the word. If you want a gritty, in-depth thriller then don't read The Thursday Murder Club. It is a few hours of escapism, that's all.

I agree with the Guardian description woodmouse good bedtime reading.

Returned to the thread here to say I think the book is an absolute joy!
No, it isn’t a typical crime novel, but it’s not intended to be.
What Beswitched says.?

Just finished it.

Hmm, it comes under ‘Crime’ at my library, but not my idea of a crime novel.

Thought it went off towards the end, I found it quite a muddle really, not particularly humerous as some reviewers said.

Not impressed.

I really enjoyed it. It was funny, tongue in cheek and encompassed lots of the tropes of the cosy murder mystery genre.
That's really all I expected of the book. It's not meant to be great literature or cutting edge. Just a pleasant reassuring and humorous read.

I started listening to it on BBC Sounds but turned it off before the first episode had ended. I found it banal and won't be listening again.

On a more positive note I've begun re-reading ASuitable Boy. It's been on my bookshelf, unread, for years; I never managed to get past the first few pages. Now, though, due to library closures, I thought I'd try again and am making steady progress. And no, I haven't seen the tv series-I might watch it when I've finished the book

I'm in the middle of reading it on my iPad through my local library. I'm really enjoying it, and often read parts of it to my long suffering husband as I find the language he uses very funny. I even laugh out loud sometimes. Each to their own I guess. Usually I love a good murder - Vera especially.

I heard if on Radio 4. Not impressed.

I thought the last 25% of the book was a farce - so many truly shocking deaths and revelations of historical deaths!

I am soon going to read it with a Book Group.

@Washerwoman that was exactly my thoughts. Thank you. I only listened to the radio version. Maybe the book explains it more clearly.

mokryna - I used to love listening to R4 abridged books until I got Audible. To read the average book aloud takes approximately 12 hours. BBC reduce that to 1.25 hours. No thanks

I agree that the ending let it down. I found it confusing. Can anyone pm me as to why the last person was killed and the mystery surrounding the extra set of bones.

I thought the ending was a bit of a let down.

I’m reading it at the moment. It’s okay. Makes me smile in places and it’s a nice gentle read. I’m around page 200 so about a third of the book left. I think it could do with some serious editing though - it’s a bit ‘waffly’.
?

Without giving anything away. I found the light hearted nature of the book incongruous with the couple of shocking things that happen. Yes it was formulaic but that can be enjoyable. I found the plot inconsistent with a mix of light hearted and too serious.

Have you read the book and listened to the abridged version on BBC 4?
I was disappointed to find out that the last conversation, Elisabeth had with Penny had been missed out, which I felt changed her character. I was quite shocked as to how the author could think that a best friend, would say what was said to her dying friend, but he had decided the character was to be righteous and hard, leaving this section out in the audiobook changed her to be more humane.
What do others think?

I thought it was OK but nearly didn't finish it as half way through got distracted by other projects.
But am I missing something ? Did it explain why and how the friend Penny killed the young man buried in the grave.Presumably because she was so upset he had murdered his girlfriend.But did Penny have a personal connection to her.Did I miss that ?I found that bit implausible,Now I'm wondering if I read it right.?

This was a Christmas present. I thought it was OK. Some quite amusing bits and a few mysteries besides the murder. Great literature it isn't and I thought somehow that it was a bit formulaic and obviously written to start a whole series of books.. I think it's possibly also targetted at our age group and that narked me. Have we suddenly become an untapped resource is the pink pound about to be replaced by the grey one?

Love a book club ...how does this one work ?
Can I join

Totally agree Woodmouse.

Guardian reviewed summed it up as: amiable if undemanding cosy caper. That's it to a T.

I really enjoyed it.

I was really looking forward to readingg this. I asked for it for a Christmas gift. I Love Richard Osman and think he is clever and witty. Not so this book, IMO. I too gave up after trying several times. Very dull, and slow.