The Man Who Died Twice (The Thursday Murder Club Book 2)

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Elizabeth is everything I ever wanted to be when I grew up and kinda still is. She's a badass old lady and the smartest person reading the room at any given time. I love that she learned to lean on her friends a little this time around. And her Stephen! God, I love him and I can see why Elizabeth loves him, too. A brutal mugging, an unexpected visitor from the past, stolen diamonds, mafia-types, a lady drug-dealer/crime boss, and a trigger-happy killer! The bodies keep dropping and the culprits keep disappearing without a trace... It’s always a little intimidating reading a sequel to a popular book, because there’s always the danger it will lose some of its shine or run dry on some of the ideas that made its predecessor so successful. I needn’t have worried. Personally, I think this one is even BETTER, and here’s why:

It's clear that in just two books, this series has become a favorite of mine. I can't wait for the next installment! The new characters are delightful. I liked the extended cast in this one more. Even the ‘baddies’ are fun. Honestly there isn’t a single unlikable character in the bunch (OK, one little punk, but he’s forgettable). Some of the interplay between the opposing sides in this book was laugh out loud funny. Connie? She’s a hoot.There wasn’t enough setting around the Coopers Chase retirement home and the Thursday Murder Club gathering like there was in book 1. The characters Ron, Ibrahim, Elizabeth and Joyce sounded similar, if their dialogue was mixed up I wouldn’t notice.

A thing of joy. Osman has a natural sense of humor that he’s able to translate into both character and dialogue.”

I love these characters so damn much. Out of the 3 I've read so far, this one stands out spectacularly. Why does it switch between third person to first person Joyce’s diary? A shift in writing style makes me expect some sort of development or reveal. However her chapters were incredibly boring and there wasn’t anything new to learn. But for people who enjoy the charm of these characters then Joyce’s chapters would be entertaining. It’s taken a mere two books for Richard Osman to vault into the upper leagues of crime writers… The Man Who Died Twice. . . dives right into joyous fun. Osman’s writing reminds me of Anthony Berkeley’s in its mixing of sparkling humor and resonant emotion. . . No wonder readers, myself included, have surrendered to [the Thursday Murder Club members’] abundant charms.” The Man Who Died Twice focuses on the theme of age, with Osman saying that he did not want to patronise the elderly. He further revealed that he had tried to focus on mortality in a "refreshing and possibly even calming" way. [6] I would say that I was somewhat less enthusiastic about this book. I liked the first book since it was thoughtful and funny in ways that seemed unique and novel. To me, this second outing, while still a solid cozy mystery, felt a bit more generic.

Good to see you, Elizabeth. Are those flowers for me?” “No, I have taken to carrying flowers around with me as an affectation,” says Elizabeth, handing them over as she is ushered in.” Think of the Thursday Murder Club itself as a senior version of ‘The A-Team’. . .Funny, moving and suspenseful. . . So delicious, even adorable . . A wildly entertaining book.” The twisty plot, knotty issues of relationships with life partners, and steadfast loyalty among the sleuths provide depth and poignancy. Those who prefer their mysteries with touches of spycraft, humor, and eccentricity will be well pleased." - Publishers Weekly I fell in love with the characters, the retirement community setting and the compelling mystery that played out.It's a balancing act, of course, but, by and large, the corpses will still be there in the morning, and you mustn't let it spoil your Domino's.”