Where I'm up to: I've read all 5 Thursday Murder Club books, plus We Solve Murders. Last updated: November 2026. I'll update this guide when the next book comes out.
How could we review mystery novels without mentioning the sensational The Thursday Murder Club series? The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman follows a group of retirees living in the peaceful Coopers Chase Retirement Village. Each week, the unlikely sleuths – Elizabeth, a former MI5 agent; Joyce, a retired nurse; Ibrahim, a former psychiatrist; and Ron, an ex-union leader – meet to investigate unsolved cold cases. Their club starts as a hobby, but soon they find themselves embroiled in real-life mysteries. With wit, charm, and a knack of uncovering secrets, the Thursday Murder Club brings justice to the community. Apparently, age is just a number when it comes to solving crimes.
If you’ve watched the Netflix film and want to know which book to read first, or you’ve fallen behind on the series, here’s everything in the right order.
Thursday Murder Club books in order
| # | Title | Year | My Muse points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Thursday Murder Club | 2020 | 4 |
| 2 | The Man Who Died Twice | 2021 | 5 |
| 3 | The Bullet That Missed | 2022 | 5 |
| 4 | The Last Devil to Die | 2023 | 5 |
| 5 | The Impossible Fortune | 2025 | 5 (full review) |
Do you need to read them in order? Yes. Each book has its own mystery, but the friendships, relationships and running jokes build from book to book, and later books mention earlier cases. Start with book 1.
The Thursday Murder Club
In the debut novel, the Thursday Murder Club members find themselves investigating their first real case when a local property developer is found dead. As they dig deeper, they uncover a complex web of secrets involving the developer’s shady past, dubious business deals, and hidden motives. With their combined expertise, they outwit the local police and bring the true culprit to justice, all while forming deeper bonds with each other.
Instantly, I fell in love with the characters. In their own charming way, they can solve not one but three murders! The book is full of humour. It will hook you into each of the character’s life. At first, the Thursday Murder Club reminded me of Miss Marple. But then, the characters in this book has more action than the renown Miss Marple. The only thing that I don’t like is how it is too convenient in the end. It seems like a lite read or cozy mystery with a fantastic characters. The ending wrapped everything up in a too satisfying way.
Rating: 4 muse points, apparently, solving multiple murders is just another day at the retirement village.
Grab your copy of Thursday Murder Club here:
The Man Who Died Twice
The second instalment sees Elizabeth receiving a letter from an old colleague that fears for his life. When the colleague turns up dead, the club members are plunged into a dangerous world of stolen diamonds, mobsters, and international intrigue. As they navigate this perilous case, they must use all their wits and resources to stay one step ahead of the killers and solve the mystery.
In the second book, we get to know more about each of the main sleuths’ past lives, especially Elizabeth. Former spy with links to international agents—what’s not to love about her? She is also the only one who lives with her husband, Stephen, in Coopers Chase, unlike the widow Joyce, and singles Ibrahim and Ron. We also learn that Stephen has dementia, adding another layer of complexity to Elizabeth’s character. This book’s case is more personal for Elizabeth. It’s only fair since she was the most mysterious one in the first book, and now gets the spotlight. You can see the growth in each character from this book onward. It was fun trying to keep up with this quick-witted group. If I thought the first book was a cozy mystery, I take that back now. The second book has puzzles, mysteries, and non-stop action.
Rating: 5 muse points, more actions than a James Bond movie, and with better tea breaks.
Looking for a copy of The Man Who Died Twice?
The Bullet That Missed
In the third book, The Thursday Murder Club investigates a cold case involving a journalist who disappeared under suspicious circumstances. As they dig into the journalist’s last story, they uncover a scandal involving corruption, betrayal, and a powerful enemy who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden. The club members must use their unique skills to piece together the truth and bring the culprits to justice.
The third book has it all! It is witty and funny. It has murder, friendship, and mystery—what else could you hope for? Like the last book, this one is packed with action from the very first page. Every chapter gave me new insights, and it was hard to put down. The main characters are featured equally, and some have even found love. I love how Joyce writes her diary and addresses the readers. The gang has grown in numbers now, even including Alan! There are mentions of the previous book’s mystery, so I recommend reading the books in order to avoid confusion.
Rating: 5 muse points
Check out The Bullet That Missed in this bookshop:
The Last Devil to Die
The Thursday Murder Club faces their most personal case yet when a close friend is found dead under mysterious circumstances. As they delve into their friend’s past, they uncover long-buried secrets and a dangerous adversary who will do anything to protect their interests. With time running out, the club must solve the case before it’s too late.
While I had fun with the first three books, this one gave me all the feels and emotions. This book is a testament to the fact that when you have septuagenarians as your main characters, you need to discuss heavy things like loss, loneliness, and sadness. And this book covers all of them beautifully. The mystery seems to take a backseat to the emotional journey of the characters. Don’t get me wrong, it still has funny elements, but it will also make you cry in the middle of the plot. Through all of that emotional journey, Joyce took the lead and the spotlight here, and I love that for her.
“There is nothing that makes you feel more alive than the certainty of death” Joyce
Rating: 5 Muse points. Don’t forget the tissues.
Grab The Last Devil to Die here:
The Impossible Fortune
In the fifth book, the gang gets dressed up for a happier occasion: the wedding of Joyce’s daughter, Joanna. But at the reception, the best man, Nick Silver, takes Elizabeth aside and tells her that someone tried to kill him earlier that day. Soon after, Nick disappears, his office is ransacked, and there are whispers of secret codes and a fortune worth millions. The Thursday Murder Club has to work out whether Nick is missing or already dead, and who wants that fortune badly enough to kill for it.
After the emotional gut punch of The Last Devil to Die, I wondered how Osman would bring the energy back, and the answer is by letting the characters surprise you. Elizabeth is not quite herself after the events of book 4. She’s softer, still sharp, but carrying weight, and it’s a nice change for a character who has seemed unshakeable for four books. Joanna, who has always been a reliable side character, finally takes centre stage, and she’s brilliant. She even gives Elizabeth a run for her money! Ron gets a touching storyline about setting aside old differences for the people he loves, and Ibrahim steps into a steadier role as the one the gang leans on for wisdom. It doesn’t quite hit the emotional heights of The Last Devil to Die, but it’s a joy. You can read my full review here.
Rating: 5 Muse points. Because this gang has no intention of slowing down.
Grab The Impossible Fortune here:
Richard Osman’s other series: We Solve Murders
This is the one people often mix up. In 2024, Osman started a second series, We Solve Murders. It follows Steve Wheeler, a retired police officer who loves a pub quiz, and his daughter-in-law Amy, a private security specialist, plus the chaotic bestselling author Rosie D’Antonio. Where the Thursday Murder Club is a cosy mystery, I’d call this one a cosy thriller: the characters are in real danger, and the story travels from a Caribbean island to Dubai.
| # | Title | Year | My Muse points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | We Solve Murders | 2024 | 5 (full review) |
| 2 | We Chase Shadows | 2026 | Not read yet |
You don’t need to read the Thursday Murder Club first. The two series are separate.
Book or film first?
The Netflix film of The Thursday Murder Club, directed by Chris Columbus, came out on 27 August 2025. It stars Helen Mirren as Elizabeth, Pierce Brosnan as Ron, Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim and Celia Imrie as Joyce.
I’ve watched the film, and I loved it! The cast is great, and Helen Mirren as Elizabeth is simply amazing. She has the sharp mind and the quiet authority I imagined while reading the books. My only wish is that the film had more of the banter that makes the books so much fun. On the page, the gang’s back-and-forth is half the joy, and a two-hour movie can only fit so much of it. Still, it’s a lovely adaptation.
Who will love this series?
- Readers who like their murders with tea, cake and banter.
- Fans of classic puzzles in the Miss Marple style (see my guide to The Golden Age of British Crime Fiction).
- And anyone who wants a mystery that’s funny and surprisingly moving.
