Review: The Bullet that Missed (Thursday Murder Club #3) by Richard Osman
It is an ordinary Thursday, and things should finally be returning to normal.
Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club are concerned. A local news legend is on the hunt for a sensational headline, and soon the gang are hot on the trail of two murders, ten years apart.
To make matters worse, a new nemesis pays Elizabeth a visit, presenting her with a deadly mission: kill or be killed…
While Elizabeth grapples with her conscience (and a gun), the gang and their unlikely new friends (including TV stars, money launderers and ex-KGB colonels) unravel a new mystery. But can they catch the culprit and save Elizabeth before the murderer strikes again?
Review:
Dear Richard Osman,
This is the third book in this series and so far for me the books are getting only better, which is very encouraging to me. I am actually wondering if this one could be called a cozy, and no, I cannot explain why I am pondering this without revealing some spoilers. The continuous adventures of Elisabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron are very entertaining while also dealing with some serious things which involve aging.
I have to say that some level of absurdity in some plot twists was definitely there, but I swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. I was happily nodding my head while I was reading and even when I was done, those plot twists did not annoy me.
I think that out of our four fearless investigators Joyce had the most character development going. I am not talking about something huge happening to her which would completely change her world view, but I think she realized some things about herself and what she is capable of. I liked that Ibrahim showed off some more of his skills related to his former profession as well. They were all great fun and at this time of their lives they all have fully formed personalities so I don’t expect major changes, but it is always nice to get some character development.
And Joyce remained as funny as she was in the previous books and Elisabeth was not too far behind her.
““Silly sums it up,” says Elizabeth. “A silly old woman spoiling everyone’s fun. I think it’s because they don’t let you have any food. I’m elderly, you see.”
Elizabeth tries to sit up, but the paramedic is having none of it. “Not a bit of it,” says the paramedic, turning to Joyce. “She’s not spoiling anyone’s fun, is she?”
“I mean, I was enjoying it,” says Joyce. “But these things happen.”
“Must have been a bit of a shock for you too?” says the paramedic. “Your friend keeling over twenty minutes into the recording?”
“Yes and no,” says Joyce, then looks straight at Elizabeth. “Yes and no.””
The overall plot was quite interesting. I bet you cannot predict how Elisabeth’s “to kill or be killed” dilemma went and whom exactly she was supposed to be killing. The resolution of the main murder investigation was also not very predictable to me.
I hope more books are coming.
Grade: B+
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Sirius
Lovely review! I have enjoyed all three books and agree that they just keep getting better. This one was a doozy, and while I had figured out some bits before they happened, other developments came as a surprise. I laughed, I cried, I had a great time.
Osman has said there will be one more book, at least. featuring Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim. So, we will need to wait til this time next year for our next outing with the gang.
I’m reading this one now. I don’t generally like books written in present tense or with more than one or two point of view characters, yet in this series it works. The mystery is certainly twisty, but in a Listserve I’m on, someone commented that the books are so good because Richard Osman clearly loves his characters, and I think that’s true.
There are few other books I await as eagerly as these. My heart swells with all of the characters as they navigate against the perfectly normal vagaries and fragility of aging. If there is only one more book, Osman had better let them remain alive and well forever because I would grieve losing even one. As someone careering toward 70, I love the joy and vigor with which they approach problems–physical, mental, emotional and criminal. Their engagement in everything, seeking it out in fact, is the most hopeful message I can think of. We need more Thursday Murder Clubs.
@Darlynne: Have hope! Barb said “one more book, at least.”
@Barb in Maryland: thank you. One more book sounds [email protected]Kris Bock: I agree with it actually, I didn’t think the resolution of the first book was all that strong but because the characters were so great overall I still liked [email protected]Darlynne: ah I think you nailed why I love these books but don’t particularly await them. I am afraid one of them will die.
He writes like he talked on pointless,a load of time wasting rubbish that’s relevant to the boring story.won’t be reading the third book
@Stuart smith: I am sorry series are not working for you.