Books: The Man Who Died Twice By Richard Osman (2021)

“Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim—the Thursday Murder Club—are still riding high off their recent real-life murder case and are looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet at Cooper’s Chase, their posh retirement village. But they are out of luck. An unexpected visitor—an old pal of Elizabeth’s (or perhaps more than just a pal?)—arrives, desperate for her help. He has been accused of stealing diamonds worth 20 million pounds from the wrong men and he’s seriously on the lam. Then, as night follows day, the first body is found. But not the last. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are up against a ruthless murderer who wouldn’t bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can our four friends catch the killer before the killer catches them?  And if they find the diamonds, too? Well, wouldn’t that be a bonus?”

It’s very clear in the second Thursday Murder Club book how much author Richard Osman likes writing for Elizabeth and Joyce. And The Man Who Died Twice offers us some familiar territory, but adds so much more to the genre. And like really good mysteries, the murders and whodunit questions become secondary to the characters, all which remain charming and dangerous at the same time. Elizabeth’s dark background as a spy during the war gets expanded more here, and Osman makes it clear that her and her friends are more than capable of taking care of themselves.

So in many ways, this book is even better than the opener (which sometimes happens in series titles, because the world building needs to set; book two really gets the story going because there is no need to retread the basic set up). What makes this tale (and so far, the series) stand out is this is no cozy mystery the British have done so well for well over a century. The danger is serious, the criminals are horrible people. What makes it work additionally is that everyone is still rather British proper, especially the villainous Lomax who while threatening you with torture and death is also concerned that his well-kept gardens are enjoyed by many people – he’s very gentleman-like.

It’s a hoot of series and not to be missed. Book three and four will come along eventually…