I have just finished this book and I loved it so much that, although I don’t wish to oversell it, I came directly to my computer to oversell it:
(image from Target.com)
The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman (Target link) (Amazon link). I checked this out after my supervisor at the library kind of pressured me to by going on and on about how much she thought I would love it, until the only way out of the conversation seemed to be to bring the book home with me. I don’t really enjoy murder mysteries in general, and also I thought it sounded overly quirky and cute. Old people at a nursing home solving crimes in a little club. Gosh.
And I cannot tell you it’s NOT cute, because it REALLY IS. It is SO CHARMING AND DELIGHTFUL. And it will absolutely be made into a movie like Red or The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (but without the patronizing colonialism), with Judi Dench and Helen Mirren and Bill Nighy and Ian McKellen and Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley and Richard Dreyfuss and Celia Imrie and please lord Maggie Smith, and I will go see it IN THE THEATER. And in the meantime the book would make a terrific Christmas present for pretty much anyone who likes books, and/or anyone who finds it heartening to read about older people still being able to do things. I loved it SO MUCH. It made me cry more than once. It kept catching me off-guard with little dry funny subtle things I almost missed. The only thing I didn’t like is there is an understanding that people telling one character, based on his visible weight, that he “didn’t need” a candy bar, or tricking him into taking the stairs instead of the elevator, was being helpful/caring/kind. But OTHER THAN THAT, this is a book that makes nursing home life sound appealing and fun, and makes The Elder Years seem appealing and fun, and also was just very very enjoyable to read.
And, AND: when I went to get a photo/link for this post, I found there is a SECOND BOOK. So I have put that on my own Christmas wish list, and if no one buys it for me I will buy it for myself as a little New Year’s present, so THAT is something to look forward to!
Stephen Spielberg has already bought the rights and is working on a film
I loved this book, too! I wanted to be a part of that community, funnily enough. And I also did not know there’s a second book – I’ll have to add that to my own list!
I checked out 10 books yesterday and I had four at home and three on my phone and I absolutely CANNOT check out any more books but I’m sitting at the reference desk and maybe I’ll just ALT-TAB over to the catalog and…..oh, whew, there’s a wait list.
I read this and I loved it (with your same one caveat) and I also read and loved book two. Such a delight.
This and the sequel- which I read the day it arrived- were my favorite things I read this year, and I’ve read 190 books this year. I loved them so much. The second is actually better than thr first!
Oh I didn’t realize the second was out already! Probably a bajillion holds on it at the library…
Yes, who would be good actors for the roles?
I am now number 68 in line for an ebook copy!
Sounds great! I’ve requested it from the library. Thanks
Wonderful books. May I recommend The Windsor Knot by S J Bennett.
Question for those of you who’ve read this already. Is it…gruesome? Meaning does it go into details on how the body (or bodies) got dead? Or do they just find the body and then go about solving the murder, with the focus being on the solving part?
My overactive imagination cannot be taken out to play unsupervised with regards to gory stuff or it keeps me awake ALL night. Why yes, I’m mumble-cough years old and still afraid of scary movies/books, etc. *sigh*
Thanks everyone!
Oh, also! Do these need to be read in sequential order? My library has book 2 currently available, but there’s a 6 month (!) wait on book 1.
Hearing my mother-in-law exclaim over how much she is loving her new senior living apartment and social life (they have a PUB on premises!), I’m ready to sign up!
*Headed off to Amazon*
Yay great book suggestion, sounds like a perfect fall read with a cup of tea under a snuggly blanket! Thank you!
Yay! I am so glad you loved this one! I loved it too, and cried and loved the sharp little observations and ph it was so good!!! I just today finished the second one and it may have been even better??? Less crying (although still some teary moments) and just so so good.
I loved it too, and you have prompted me to go get the sequel. Working on dream casting thoughts now.
I’m reading it with my mom! We both love it so far!
Just joined the waitlist for the audiobook at my library! Thanks for the recommendation!
This was one of my favourite books last year (was it out earlier the UK?). My number one favourite book was called Hungry, by Grace Dent. VERY British, and completely wonderful (she’s a restaurant critic over here – hence the name). It’s a memoir – she’s was born in the north of the country in the 70s. Also lots of laughing, crying & so on.
The audiobook version was great as well!
I LOVE THESE BOOKS. And I loved the second even more than the first.