If you read and loved Richard Osman’s debut, The Thursday Murder Club, as I did, you’ll be happy to see The Man Who Died Twice. The follow-up brings back the primary characters from the previous mystery. The story is just as witty, just as intriguing. And, we get to watch some of the seniors at their best, in action. There are also scenes with Police Constable Donna DeFreitas, and her boss and mentor, DCI Chris Hudson.
There are multiple storylines at the opening, and several do come together. Elizabeth, who we know as a former spy married to Stephen, a man sinking into dementia, is shocked when her ex-husband shows up at Coopers Chase retirement home. Douglas is in trouble. The aging spy broke into the home of a man connected to multiple money-laundering schemes. Of course, Douglas stole diamonds when he saw them loose. Now, someone is after him, and Douglas won’t admit to his employers at MI5 that he took twenty million in diamonds. But, he wants Elizabeth’s help, and thinks the retirement home is the perfect place to hide along with the agent assigned to protect him.
While Douglas brings his case to the quartet of the Thursday Murder Club, Ibrahim, the psychiatrist in the group, sets the other three on a path to vengeance. Ibrahim drove to Fairhaven one day because he likes to get out, see new people, see new places. But, he’s mugged and left in the gutter. A couple calls for help, and Ibrahim ends up in the hospital. But, none of his friends want to see him afraid to leave the safety of his home. And, despite his injuries, Ibrahim is able to give them enough clues for his trio of friends to eventually track down the mugger and exact revenge.
Is it a lighter note when PC DeFreitas makes the mistake of introducing her boss to her mother, Patrice? While Chris and Patrice are attracted to each other, it only reminds Donna how lonely she is in this sleepy Kent village.
The Man Who Died Twice is a story of justice and revenge. It’s a clever story of manipulation and surprises. But, it’s also a story of human frailties. It’s the story of four seniors in a British retirement home who, despite their personal backstories and successes, still face a fear of dementia, of fragility, knowing they don’t have much longer to live. There are tender moments, backed by romance and humor, wit and expert machinations. The latest Thursday Murder Club mystery is just as delightful as the earlier one.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman. Pamela Dorman Books, 2021. ISBN 9781984880994 (hardcover), 368p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a .PDF in order to moderate a panel.
Yay! I’ve been looking forward to this one since I finished the first book. Hope the library gets it to me quickly.
I hope so, too, Jeff!
Me too! Number 27 on the library wait list. Hoping they get multiple copies.
The new mystery section in the library has recently been heavy with interchangeable paperback cozies. I can’t help thinking that paperbacks aren’t “real” library books – how strange our preferences can be!
Oh, I get it, MM. It took me until COVID and publishers no longer sending out ARCs for me to accept that I had to read eBooks.
I really enjoyed The Thursday Murder club and I’m looking forward to this one. I miss paper ARCs and now that ALA Midwinter/LibLearnX will be virtual there goes that source.
I know, Nann. They trickle in for me, but I really miss getting them regularly.
I guess not every popular book works for everyone, but I couldn’t finish Thursday Murder Club (gave up at about the 1/3 point), so this doesn’t excite me. It seems I’m the only person who didn’t love it. I wonder if I missed something, if I should try it again?
Not necessarily, Rick. No book works for everyone, as you said. I read The Thursday Murder Club initially because I was moderating a panel the author was on long before release date. It took me a little while to put the characters together in my head. Once I remembered who was who, I enjoyed it. That meant I didn’t have that problem with the second book. I also liked that the amateur sleuths are all seniors, and they are not treated as if they’re idiots. They’re seniors who had active lives, and they know their time is running out – BUT not immediately. They acknowledge that. Osman treats seniors better than many authors do. But, if it’s not for you, it isn’t.
I’ll think on it. Perhaps I’ll give it another try. Good news here is rain today. Not a downpour, but steady drizzle.
Steady drizzles are nice! Take care, Rick.
I’m glad to learn that this sequel is worth the time and effort to read. While I enjoyed the first, I also found it difficult to follow because of all the British-isms.
I thought so, Sandie, but you were probably listening to the first one, which would have made it difficult.
Yes, I was listening to an audiobook. I enjoyed the very British accent of the narrator but near the end when the book went elsewhere, I did get a bit lost. Doesn’t sound like that would happen this second time.
I hope you enjoy it, Sandie!