Honestly, if you told a high-flying book executive ten years ago that the tallest man in British television was going to pivot from hosting quiz shows to becoming the king of "cosy crime," they might’ve laughed you out of the room. Yet, here we are. Books by Richard Osman haven't just sold well; they’ve effectively redefined the modern mystery landscape, proving that readers are absolutely starving for stories where the heroes use hearing aids instead of high-tech gadgets.
It started with a simple idea during a visit to a high-end retirement village. Osman noticed that these places are essentially gated communities full of people with incredible, untapped life experiences—former spies, nurses, accountants, and teachers. They have all the time in the world and, more importantly, they’re largely invisible to the rest of society. That invisibility is a superpower when you're trying to solve a murder.
The Thursday Murder Club Phenomenon
The first book, The Thursday Murder Club, introduced us to the Coopers Chase gang. You've got Elizabeth, the steely former intelligence officer; Joyce, the deceptively sweet ex-nurse who records everything in her diary; Ibrahim, the meticulous psychiatrist; and Ron, the fiery union activist. It’s a lightning-in-a-bottle cast.
What makes these books by Richard Osman work isn't just the "whodunnit" aspect. It’s the grief. It’s the way Ibrahim navigates the fear of aging or how Elizabeth deals with her husband Stephen’s encroaching dementia. These aren't just paper-thin archetypes. They’re people we know. Or people we will become.
Osman’s writing style is punchy. Short chapters. Cliffhangers that actually make you want to keep reading past 11:00 PM. He avoids the "blood and guts" tropes of Scandi-noir, opting instead for wit and a very British sense of irony.
Why the Setting Matters
Coopers Chase isn't just a backdrop. It’s a character. Set in the fictional Kentish town of Fairhaven, it represents a specific kind of English idyll that is constantly being interrupted by the messy reality of crime. In The Man Who Died Twice, the stakes get significantly higher when Elizabeth’s past catches up with her in the form of stolen diamonds and the MI5.
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Then came The Bullet That Missed. This one took the group into the world of local news and cold cases. By this point, the formula was clear: a historical mystery intertwines with a modern threat, and the four retirees use their specific skills to outmaneuver the police and the criminals alike. Donna and Chris, the local police officers who become honorary members of the club, provide a great "straight man" dynamic to the retirees' chaotic brilliance.
The Final Bow for the Club?
The Last Devil to Die hit differently. It dealt with the heroin trade, sure, but the emotional core was the loss of a beloved character. It was devastating. It proved that Osman wasn't afraid to hurt his readers to tell a truthful story about the end of life. While many wondered if this was the end of the series, Osman has been vocal about the fact that he will return to Coopers Chase. He just needed a break to stretch his legs elsewhere.
We Need to Talk About "We Solve Murders"
In 2024, Osman shifted gears. He didn't abandon the mystery genre, but he moved away from the retirement home to something more global. We Solve Murders introduced Amy Wheeler and her father-in-law, Steve Wheeler.
Steve is a retired cop who likes his predictable life in a quiet village. Amy is a private security expert protecting world-famous authors on private islands. When Amy finds herself framed for murder, she drags Steve out of his comfort zone and across the globe.
- The Vibe: High-octane but still grounded in character.
- The Humor: Just as sharp, but with a more "action-movie" rhythm.
- The Connection: It maintains that "generational gap" dynamic that Osman fans love.
Some critics were skeptical. Could he pull off a thriller that moved from South Carolina to the Swiss Alps? The consensus? Yes. It turns out Osman’s talent isn’t limited to pensioners in Kent. He understands the mechanics of a plot—the "MacGuffin," the "Red Herring," and the "Big Reveal"—better than almost anyone writing today.
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Decoding the Richard Osman Writing Secret
Why do these books rank so high on every bestseller list? It’s not just the celebrity name on the cover. We’ve seen plenty of "celeb-authors" flop because the prose is clunky or ghostwritten. Osman writes his own stuff. You can tell. The voice is identical to his persona on Pointless or House of Games: dry, observant, and deeply kind.
He doesn't use big words to sound smart. He uses the right words to make you feel something.
There's a specific "Britishness" to books by Richard Osman that travels well. Whether you're in a tea shop in Yorkshire or a subway in New York, the themes of friendship and the feeling of being underestimated are universal. He treats his older characters with immense dignity. They aren't the butt of the joke; they are the ones telling it.
Common Misconceptions About the Genre
People call these "cosy mysteries." That label can be a bit of a trap. It suggests something fluffy and inconsequential. But if you actually read The Last Devil to Die, you’ll find some of the most profound writing on euthanasia and grief in contemporary fiction. Osman hides the "heavy stuff" inside a page-turner. It's the "spoonful of sugar" approach to literature.
Another myth is that you have to be over sixty to enjoy them. Not true. The demographic data for these books shows a massive following among Gen Z and Millennials. Maybe it's because we all want to believe that our lives will still be adventurous when we’re eighty.
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Ranking the Books: Where to Start?
If you’re new to this world, don’t jump straight into the latest release. The character arcs in the Thursday Murder Club series are cumulative.
- The Thursday Murder Club: Essential. You have to meet the gang at the start.
- The Man Who Died Twice: Probably the funniest of the lot. The introduction of Douglas is a highlight.
- The Bullet That Missed: Great for fans of 1990s nostalgia and local TV tropes.
- The Last Devil to Die: Keep the tissues handy. It’s a masterpiece of emotional payoff.
- We Solve Murders: Start here if you prefer James Bond over Midsomer Murders.
What's Next for the Osman Empire?
The film adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club is the big elephant in the room. Directed by Chris Columbus and starring absolute icons like Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie, it’s set to be a massive hit for Netflix. This will undoubtedly drive a whole new wave of readers toward the books.
Osman has mentioned that he plans to alternate between the We Solve Murders series and the Thursday Murder Club series. This is smart. It keeps the writing fresh. It prevents the characters from becoming caricatures.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Reader
If you want to get the most out of your Richard Osman experience, don't just skim the plot. Pay attention to the dialogue.
- Listen to the Audiobooks: Leslie Manville narrates the first few, and she is incredible. Fiona Shaw took over for The Bullet That Missed, bringing a different but equally brilliant energy.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: Osman often drops tiny nods to his real-life friends or television career within the descriptions.
- Join a Community: There are massive "Thursday Murder Club" fan groups on Facebook and Reddit where people discuss theories and share "fan casts" for the minor characters.
- Read the Acknowledgments: Seriously. Osman’s acknowledgments are often as funny and heartfelt as the books themselves. They give you a real insight into his process.
The "Osman effect" is real. He has proven that there is a massive market for fiction that is intelligent without being pretentious. He’s brought male readers back to the mystery genre in droves and given older protagonists the spotlight they’ve deserved for decades.
Whether you're looking for a clever puzzle to solve or just want to spend a few hours with some of the most charming characters in modern fiction, picking up one of these novels is a safe bet. Just be prepared to want to move into a retirement village the moment you finish the last page.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on upcoming release dates for the second We Solve Murders installment, as Osman typically follows a strict annual release schedule in the autumn. Grab a copy of the first book now so you're ready for the movie premiere, which will likely dominate the cultural conversation upon its release.