Richard Osman is doing it again. If you thought he was going to stick to the retirement home high-stakes of the Thursday Murder Club forever, well, you’ve got another thing coming. His new series is a massive pivot, and The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman is the book everyone is currently obsessing over. It’s the second installment in the We Solve Murders series, following the adventures of Amy Wheeler and her father-in-law, Steve. Honestly, the buzz is a bit deafening.
People keep asking: can he catch lightning in a bottle twice? The first book in this new universe introduced us to a world of private jets, Instagram influencers, and a retired cop who just wants to do his pub quiz in peace. But the sequel is where we really see if this "global" mystery vibe has legs. It’s different. It’s faster.
What is The Impossible Fortune actually about?
The plot follows the established duo: Amy Wheeler, a world-class private security expert who essentially lives on adrenaline, and Steve Wheeler, her father-in-law who is the human equivalent of a warm cup of tea. In The Impossible Fortune, the stakes move from the initial chaos of the first book into something a bit more... well, impossible.
The title itself refers to a riddle that sits at the heart of the mystery. Osman has moved away from the cozy, closed-room vibes of Cooper’s Chase. Here, he’s playing with the tropes of the classic thriller, but he's kept that signature wit that makes you laugh out loud in a quiet doctor's office. You know that feeling when you're reading and you look like a crazy person because you're grinning at a page? That's the Osman effect.
Amy is still the muscle. Steve is still the heart. But this time, they’re dealing with a fortune that shouldn't exist and a set of villains who aren't just greedy—they’re smart. That’s the key. Most mystery writers make their villains slightly dim so the hero can win. Osman doesn't do that. He treats the reader like they’ve already figured out the obvious stuff, so he skips ahead to the clever bits.
The transition from Thursday Murder Club
It’s a bold move. Most authors would have written fifteen Thursday Murder Club books before even thinking about a spin-off or a new series. Osman did four and then basically said, "Right, let’s go to an island."
We Solve Murders was the introduction. The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman is the confirmation. It confirms that he isn't a one-trick pony. The tone is snappier. It’s less about the creeping dread of mortality (which made the retirement home books so surprisingly moving) and more about the absurdity of modern wealth. It feels like a Netflix series in book form.
Why the characters Amy and Steve actually work
Most "odd couple" pairings in fiction feel forced. You’ve seen it a thousand times: the grumpy one and the bubbly one, or the tech-savvy kid and the dinosaur.
But with Amy and Steve, the connection is through family—specifically through Adam, Steve’s son and Amy’s husband. It creates this weird, lovely dynamic where they care about each other because they both love the same person, even if they have absolutely nothing else in common. Steve wants to stay in his village. Amy wants to see how fast a speedboat can go.
In The Impossible Fortune, Steve is pushed further out of his comfort zone than ever before. There’s a specific sequence involving a high-end gala that perfectly highlights how out of place he is, yet how his "boring" common sense is actually a superpower. He notices things that high-strung security professionals miss because they’re too busy looking for snipers. Steve is looking at the caterer’s shoes.
The "Osman Style" of plotting
If you look at the mechanics of how he writes, it’s all about the short chapter. This is why people finish his books in two days. You tell yourself, "Just one more," and suddenly it’s 2:00 AM and you’ve read 80 pages.
- The Hook: Every chapter ends on a minor revelation or a joke.
- The Perspective: He jumps between characters frequently, which keeps the pace high.
- The Humor: It’s dry. It’s British. It’s incredibly self-aware.
In this new book, the mystery is more complex than the first. There are layers to the "Fortune" that require a bit of mental gymnastics. It’s not just a "who-dunnit," it’s a "how-is-this-happening."
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Let’s talk about the setting and the "Global" feel
One of the biggest criticisms of modern mysteries is that they feel static. Osman solves this by making Amy’s job the perfect excuse to go anywhere. One minute they’re in a sleepy UK village, the next they’re in a location so glamorous it feels like a Bond movie.
But it’s Bond with a cardigan.
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman utilizes these settings not just as backdrops, but as obstacles. The wealth on display in the book is staggering, and Osman uses it to poke fun at the "ultra-rich" lifestyle. There’s a sense of "Can you believe people actually live like this?" throughout the narrative.
Is it better than We Solve Murders?
Honestly? Yes.
The first book had to do a lot of heavy lifting. It had to introduce the characters, explain the "We Solve Murders" agency, and set the tone. It was a lot of setup. The Impossible Fortune gets to have all the fun. It hits the ground running. The chemistry between the leads is already baked in, so we get to see them operate as a legitimate team rather than two people just trying to survive a weird weekend.
The "Impossible" part of the title isn't just hyperbole. The central puzzle is genuinely baffling. It involves a disappearance that defies logic, and seeing Steve apply his "old-school" police logic to a "new-school" crime is incredibly satisfying.
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Why Richard Osman is dominating the charts
It isn't just because he’s on TV. There are plenty of celebrities who write books that end up in the bargain bin after three weeks. Osman is dominating because he actually understands the genre. He’s a fan first. You can tell he’s read every Agatha Christie, every P.D. James, and every Lee Child.
He knows the rules. More importantly, he knows when to break them.
In The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman, he breaks the rule that thrillers have to be gritty. There’s no "darkness for the sake of darkness." There’s no excessive gore. It’s "cozy thriller"—a genre he basically pioneered. It’s a book you can give to your grandmother and your teenage nephew, and they’ll both genuinely enjoy it. That is a very difficult tightrope to walk.
The "Human" element of the mystery
Beyond the puzzles and the jokes, there’s a real emotional core here. Steve is lonely, though he’d never admit it. Amy is restless, and she’s running away from a quiet life because it scares her more than a hitman does.
This book explores their relationship more deeply. It’s about more than just finding a killer; it’s about finding a place in the world. Steve’s grief over his late wife is handled with such a light, respectful touch that it hits you harder when it occasionally bubbles to the surface. It grounds the "Impossible" parts of the story in something very real.
What readers should look for next
If you’ve just finished the book or you’re waiting for your copy to arrive, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, pay attention to the minor characters. Osman is famous for bringing back people you thought were just "flavor" in later books.
Secondly, watch the red herrings. In The Impossible Fortune, he’s much more subtle with his clues. If something feels like a throwaway joke, it might actually be the key to the entire mystery. He’s playing a game with the reader, and he’s a very good player.
Actionable Steps for Fans of the Series
If you want to get the most out of the We Solve Murders universe, here is how to dive in:
- Read them in order: While you could jump straight into The Impossible Fortune, the character growth between Steve and Amy is half the fun. Start with We Solve Murders to see the foundation.
- Listen to the Audiobook: If you have the chance, the audio versions of Osman's books are top-tier. The narration captures the dry wit in a way that sometimes hits harder than reading it off the page.
- Check the Britishisms: If you aren't from the UK, some of the cultural references (especially Steve’s) might fly over your head. A quick search for "pub quiz culture" or certain UK supermarket snacks will add a layer of comedy you might otherwise miss.
- Follow the "Osman Rules": Try to solve it alongside Steve. Don't look for the most dramatic solution; look for the most logical one based on human behavior. People are predictable, and that’s how Steve wins.
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman is a testament to why he is currently the king of the "gentle" mystery. It’s clever, it’s kind, and it’s deeply entertaining. It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel; it just makes the wheel much more fun to watch. Whether you're a die-hard Thursday Murder Club fan or a newcomer, this book is a masterclass in how to write a sequel that actually surpasses the original.
Grab a cup of tea—or a glass of something stronger if you’re more like Amy—and settle in. You aren't going to want to put this one down until the final secret is out.