The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

I have heard so many good reviews about this book. It is always with a little bit of ambiguity I start reading such books. But, no fear this time. It is a wonderful book. 

"In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.

But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club fins themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late?" 

The story takes place at a somewhat luxury old people's home. More like a service home where you have your own flat, serviced with medical assistance,  swimming pool, activities etc. Could be a nice retreat for anyone. One of the many groups coming together is 'The Thursday Murder Club' which aim is to solve cold cases. The group consists of Ron, Ibrahim, Elizabeth and Joyce. Joyce is the newcomer and latest member. Her diary of events breaks up the third person narrator chapters. 

"The village is nearly dark now. In life you have to learn to count the good days. You have to tuck them in your pocket and carry them around with you. So I'm putting today in my pocket and I'm off to bed."

We understand rather quickly that these are no ordinary people, and especially so for Elizabeth. As the story evolves we get hints of her earlier life and work (I will not reveal it here) and she is the driving force of the group. Many of them, and their friends, had high positions in society and through them they can cover most areas connected to the solving of a murder case. Everything is all right until a real life murder turns up just around the corner.

The excitement is great within the group and they quickly start analysing the facts. They do realise they need the help of the police and with Elizabeth's usual charming, straight to the point 'attacks' they manage to liaise with detectives Chris and Donna.

"Ibrahim walked over to the barricade picnic, which was in full swing, and suggested that anyone who didn't want to be arrested should perhaps move their chairs off the path. This shifted a few of the fair weathers. Colin Clemence led the charge. When Ibrahim reassured the rest that they only had to clear the path and were very welcome to stay out and watch the action, there was a proper exodus. Though not a quick exodus, because you know that getting out of a garden chair at our age is a military operation. Once you are in one, you can be in it for the day."

This is an utterly charming story, told with great humour, but also with a serious streak underneath. The murder mystery is thrilling, develops in many different ways and the culprit is hidden until the very end. The four main characters of the story are well developed. Especially Joyce, who we get to know more intimately through her diary, realises that her retirement did not mean the end of life, but a new beginning. As you see from the two quotes above, Richard Osman gives us, in a humorous, but such a true way, a few hints how it is to be getting older. A lovely book, highly recommended.