Series: Thursday Murder Club

Round 2 in Richard Osman’s charming Thursday Murder Club series, the Man Who Died Twice is a sequel novel that should satisfy most fans of the first book. Delivering the same cozy mystery vibes and light-hearted comedic shenanigans, this novel instantly feels familiar and is incredibly easy to pick right up. In many ways this novel is a refinement of the first book’s beloved formula, the most notable highlights being an increased focus on the Thursday Murder Club members, a tidier and better executed mystery investigation, and a more consistent tone and pacing. While I personally found this second novel to be less narratively ambitious and compelling compared to the Thursday Murder Club, the Man Who Died Twice is still a solid read for those looking for a cozy mystery or snarky British humor. Taking place right after the events of the first book, the Man Who Died Twice sees the Thursday Murder Club investigating a new mystery that ironically doesn’t start with murder, at least initially. A handsome and charismatic man from Elizabeth’s past named Douglas sends her a letter requesting help involving stolen diamonds worth twenty million pounds and hiding from a mafia mobster and his shady financer.…

Richard Osman’s series has already been heavily read and reviewed so I won’t be quite as detailed as I usually do since the major points of discussion have already been covered. Despite what the genre and synopsis of the book may imply, The Thursday Murder is as much of a senior citizen themed character drama as it is a murder mystery novel and therefore one must adjust their expectations to its crossover intentions. If reading and reviewing this novel purely as a murder mystery investigation procedural story, The Thursday Murder Club is generally an above average, light-hearted affair that’s quite cozy and easy to pick up (although also just as easy to put down and leave down as it’s a bit slow in places). Taken at face value, the murders reveals and movements are mostly functional, albeit slightly convoluted with certain plot developments coming a bit out of left field. I found it to be fine personally, but too ambitious and twisty for its conclusion to pull the whole case back together. However, The Thursday Murder Club’s strongest element in my opinion is the moments where Osman focuses on the lowkey laughs and allows its senior characters to reflect on…