Reviews

It's been about half a year since I've read the first volume of the series and opening this volume felt like coming home. These characters have grown so close to my heart and although the plot is quite unrealistic again, it is easy to forgive because everyone is having so much fun getting to the bottom of the mysteries. Despite all the good humour, the author is not afraid to tread a few serious lines.
Often in passing, such as Joyce's difficult relationship with her daughter or Ron's daughter's marital problems.
Sometimes more intense, such as Elisabeth's anxious witnessing of her husband's increasing mental decline, dealing with loneliness or moving on after a traumatic experience.
Death and our own mortality are constant companions, but this is rarely a cause for regret rather an incentive to make the best of the time we have left.
In the end, the humorous moments prevail and I simply enjoy watching everyone's shenanigans. And if the four of them weren't so likeable, one might resent the fact that they handle their affairs in a rather unconventional and highly illegal manner.

What I particularly like about the books is the way in which the author seems to distribute trivialities along the way, occasionally picking them up and dropping them in the course of the story only to finally weave them into the relevant plot.

For example, at first you wonder what Joyce's stupid friendship bracelets are all about, dismissing it as "oh, that's so typical Joyce" only for it to click a few chapters later.

Personally, I'm already looking forward to returning to Coopers Chase. Be it with the next volume or the announced film with a cast list I already sense it might be a lot of fun.

Favorit quotes:

"I love hospitals, they're like airports"
Just a strange thing to love.
"They moved slowly, but their time ran fast."
Perfect subtitle for an old people action movie.
"More women are murdering people these days [...] If you ignore the context, it is a real sign of progress"
That's my kind of feminism.
"And if one is never lost in life, then clearly one has never travelled anywhere interesting "
Not sure if I find this really deep or if it's something to post on your Facebook timeline but I like this thought.

Content Warnings

brianna_the_bookworm's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

marieong's review against another edition

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funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Another amusing, twisty-turny mystery in which I somehow fell even more in love with Richard Osman’s characters.

PS I took a “which member of the Thursday murder club are you” quiz this week and found out I’m 40% Joyce (“the heart of the group”), 27% Ibrahim, 20% Elizabeth and 13% Ron.

kmiller97's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

david44's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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