We Solve Murders marks Richard Osman’s departure from his beloved Thursday Murder Club series to introduce us to a completely new set of characters and a fresh take on the mystery genre. After thoroughly enjoying the cozy mysteries of Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron, I was curious to see what Osman would do with this new series. The answer? He’s created something that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.
This review may contain spoilers, read at your own risk
Steve Wheeler is a retired police officer living a quiet life in the New Forest, content with his routines of pub quiz nights and evenings with his cat, Trouble. His daughter-in-law Amy Wheeler couldn’t be more different, she’s a private security specialist who thrives on adrenaline and danger. When Amy finds herself protecting mega-bestselling author Rosie D’Antonio on a remote island, a dead body and a bag of money turn their peaceful assignment into a nightmare.
When someone tries to frame Amy for murder, she calls the only person she trusts: Steve. What follows is a globe-spanning adventure as the unlikely trio of Amy, Steve, and Rosie race around the world, trying to stay one step ahead of professional killers while unraveling a conspiracy involving money smuggling, corrupt officials, and a mysterious figure known only as “Joe Blow.”
From Cozy Mystery to Cozy Thriller
Osman is famous for the Thursday Murder Club series, which I think falls perfectly into cozy mystery territory. But with this new series, We Solve Murders, Osman has jumped into what I’d call cozy thriller. As I’ve mentioned in my guide to the Thriller vs Mystery genres, I categorise a novel as thriller when there’s immediate danger to the main protagonist, and that’s exactly what happens with Amy Wheeler throughout this book.
I think this genre shift is a clever way to differentiate between the two series. While the Thursday Murder Club gang investigates crimes after the fact in the safety of their retirement village, Amy, Steve, and Rosie are constantly in danger, being chased by actual assassins and facing real threats to their lives.
Loveable Characters Strike Again
Once again, Osman introduces us to utterly loveable characters, just like in his other series. These characters are wonderfully diverse: we have Rosie the flamboyant bestselling author, Steve the methodical retired cop, and Amy the highly trained bodyguard. Unlike the four septuagenarians of Thursday Murder Club, in this book all the characters have active roles: they go around the world solving mysteries while trying to avoid getting killed.
The relationship between Steve and Amy is particularly compelling. They talk every day but in a very British way, communicating important things while chatting about seemingly mundane topics like the weather. Steve has retreated into routine since his wife’s death, while Amy lives for adventure and danger. Their father-in-law/daughter-in-law dynamic creates an interesting twist on the typical detective partnership.
I know lots of people love Rosie D’Antonio’s character, and so do I. You need a bit of chaos, especially when dealing with mechanical minds like the Wheelers. Rosie brings the unpredictability and larger-than-life personality that keeps the story from becoming too procedural. Her wealth also conveniently solves a lot of logistical problems: need to get somewhere fast? She has a private jet!
Classic Osman Elements
Osman throws red herrings and clues for us to chew on, but all in a fun way. I don’t mind the surprise and plot twist at the end. I think it’s quite brilliant. The revelation of who Loubet really is caught me completely off guard, and looking back, all the clues were there.
Osman also retains his signature humor, especially when describing his characters and their interactions with each other. I think that’s one of the main factors that makes them so loveable. His observations about human nature, bureaucracy, and the absurdities of modern life had me laughing throughout. The banter between the characters feels natural and adds warmth to what could otherwise be a darker story.
The international settings give this series a much broader scope than the retirement village setting of Thursday Murder Club. We travel from a Caribbean island to England, then on to Ireland and Dubai. Each location feels authentic and adds to the globe-trotting thriller atmosphere.
The only thing I noticed that bothered me slightly is that we get told about Amy’s impressive abilities throughout the book. She’s portrayed almost like a super-agent with extensive training and skills. But when the time comes for action, mostly Rosie and Steve act first while Amy seems to take a backseat.
We do get some proper action from Amy at the end of the book, and it doesn’t disappoint, but I would have liked to see more of her expertise in action earlier on. For someone who’s supposed to be this highly trained professional, she sometimes feels less capable than her civilian companions.
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Final Thoughts
We Solve Murders successfully establishes a new series that feels both familiar and refreshingly different from Osman’s previous work. While it shares the warmth, wit, and loveable characters of Thursday Murder Club, the thriller elements and international scope give it a completely distinct identity.
The plot moves at a breakneck pace, the characters are engaging and well-developed, and Osman’s trademark humor hits all the right notes. The family dynamic between Steve and Amy adds emotional depth to the adventure, and Rosie provides the perfect wild card element to keep things unpredictable.
If you’re a fan of Osman’s previous work, you’ll find plenty to love here. The writing style is unmistakably his, but the thriller elements add a new dimension that kept me on the edge of my seat. If you’re new to Richard Osman’s writing, this is an excellent entry point that showcases his talent for creating cozy yet thrilling mysteries with genuine heart.
Rating: 5 out of 5 muse points
About the Author
Richard Osman is a British author, producer, and television presenter, best known for his Thursday Murder Club series and TV shows like Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. We Solve Murders is the first book in his new detective series.
