a b Thomas, Rebecca (13 September 2021). "Richard Osman: Trying to make the world a better place". BBC News. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021 . Retrieved 9 October 2021. In present day, Sue tells Elizabeth that she has three armed dudes working for her and they’ve located the diamonds at Joyce’s house. Sue has the driver take them to Joyce’s — but as soon as they arrive, Sue is shot by Bogdan. (It’s soon revealed that Bogdan incapacitated the three armed dudes and told them to tell Sue that they’d found the diamonds.) Elizabeth is a former secret agent with MI5, with crucial know-how, instinct, and access to police and British intelligence resources. Joyce is a retired nurse, and she adds a very different perspective on situations and is the perfect person to deal with people, with empathy that puts people at ease. Ron was a union man and a real go-getter with a solid and determined personality. Ibrahim is a former psychiatrist with a unique and treasured ability to read people and their body language. Ibrahim is mugged, and it leaves him frightened to leave his home, and he uses excuses why he can’t participate in outside activities. The personal story of Ibrahim is quite touching and, unfortunately, a horrific reminder that assaults like this do happen to our seniors. The support and care from his group of friends add a sensitive dimension to the story. It also provides the reason local detectives Chris Hudson and Donna De Freitas return, and their friendship and relationships extend the exciting characters surrounding the Thursday Murder Club. Another special friend of the club, is the calm and mysterious Bogdan, someone who always has the means to get something unusual done.

millions pound worth diamonds are stole from strongroom of Martin Lomax, a shady man they watch. Douglas is the one broke into the house and stuffed the gills with diamonds but he made a mistake by taking off his ski mask in front of surveillance cameras. Now dangerous people are looking for him and he needs bodyguards to get protection! As you may see those bodyguards will be our genius pensioners!The author amplifies the shenanigans of the characters in this book, and none of the multiple stories seem out of place.

Following publication on 16 September 2021 by Viking, [9] The Man Who Died Twice became one of the best-performing novels since records began in the 1990s, selling 114,202 copies in the first three days it was available; this led an industry analyst to call Osman a "publishing phenomenon". [10] However, a prominent books magazine, led by Rolling Stone 's former editor, refused to review it, saying that "there are hundreds of new books published every week" and there was an "illusion" that only two books ( The Man Who Died Twice and Beautiful World, Where Are You) were on sale, pleading for its readers to "[f]ocus instead on the mountain of other stuff that has been magically made to disappear". [11] Sequels [ edit ] This time round the group is dragged into an investigation when Elizabeth receives a letter from her ex husband, who has apparently stolen twenty million dollars worth of diamonds and thus aggravated several prominent crime bosses and maybe MI5 as well. Elizabeth feels obliged to help and calls in all her troops to assist. My personal opinion is this one is better than the first book. One whole star better! The pace is faster, it jumps and flies all over the place and the action doesn't slow down until the end. There are reoccurring characters from the previous book and lots of new ones. And, again, the mystery has twists that keep you guessing through to the end. Douglas tells Elizabeth that he needs her help since he stole 20M in diamonds from Martin Lomax, a man who works as a middle-man for various crime organizations (like drug lords, mafiosos, warlords, etcetera). MI5 doesn’t know he stole them. He’s hiding out in Coopers Chase until he can escape to Antwerp, sell the diamonds and disappear. Douglas wants Elizabeth’s help in keeping a look-out for possible threats. It’s wonderful to see how many people have fallen in love with Richard’s fabulous Thursday Murder Club and simply couldn’t wait to read the next instalment,” said his publisher Joanna Prior, managing director of Penguin General. “The response to these characters and the crimes they solve from readers around the world has been extraordinary and it has been a joy to work with retailers to make publication week such a big moment for everyone to share in.”a b c d e Dirda, Michael (6 October 2021). "Richard Osman, inspired by 'The A-Team', has created a delightful band of elderly sleuths". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021 . Retrieved 9 October 2021. The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club #2), released in September 2021, is the second novel in Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club cozy mystery series. The series follows a group of retirees as they come across murder and mayhem. The first novel was a pretty big hit in the UK, and I really enjoyed it. What's your favourite cosy mystery? Not sure if it's just this series or the genre that's not for me

I’m highly amused at the thoughts of the characters. Spoken, or unspoken. And the dialogue is epic. 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 don't think any threads were left untied, and I'm pleased to say our four heroes are more or less intact to fight another day! They are clever, funny, and loyal. The draw of this series has always been its characters. They are its heart and soul, and this book is another superb display of that. Their affection for one another, their enthusiasm for anything remotely exciting, and their good humor all exemplify the best of humanity, not just for old people, but for people of all ages.The club makes a triumphant return… The Man Who Died Twice, like its series predecessor, is an unalloyed delight, full of sharp writing, sudden surprises, heart, comedy, sorrow and great banter.” While DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas (ineptly) practice their covert surveillance skills on Fairhaven’s newest drug baroness, Ibrahim Arif has cause to regret his decision to make a solo outing into town when he is mugged by a teenaged trio. His friends are certainly not going to let that go unanswered… UPDATE: There's a good article and interview with the author about these two books in 'The Guardian' here'.

There's a lot going on, but all of the varying plot-lines blended together perfectly. Osman made it comfortable to read and engaging throughout. Altogether a great read with an interesting mystery, lots of humour, delightful characters and a perfect ending. If I ever have to move into a retirement village I want to go to Cooper's Chase. Additionally, I feel like we got to know Donna and Chris, the local detectives who have befriended the Murder Club, a bit more. I really enjoy both of their characters. Donna is struggling a bit with her place in life and Chris's new relationship with Donna's mother, Patrice. The second gripping novel in the New York Times bestselling Thursday Murder Club series, soon to be a major motion picture from Steven Spielberg at Amblin Entertainment The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman is the second installment in the The Thursday Murder Club Mysteries. Like the first book, it’s delightfully entertaining with lots of twists and turns along the way. These characters make me laugh. I’m still ready to move into Cooper’s Chase Retirement Village so that I can join their adventures!Why do you need to see me while we're talking? Now I feel like I have to get dressed for a phone call. It's very stressful!!! Everything is about death, you see.’ ‘Well, recently, yes,’ agrees Joyce. ‘But surely not everything? That seems a bit much?’ ‘In essence,’ says Ibrahim. ‘Our existence only makes sense because of it; it provides meaning to our narrative. Our direction of travel is always towards it. Our behaviour is either because we fear it, or because we choose to deny it. We could drive past this spot once a year, every year, and neither the horse nor ourselves would get younger. Everything is death.”