Who doesn’t need a heartwarming murder mystery with a cast of loveable quirky characters?
Richard Osman, who I’m told is a very popular personality in the UK, is the author of last year’s fabulous Edgar-nominated The Thursday Murder Club. Our team of detectives, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim, live in a fictional retirement village, Coopers Chase, built upon the former grounds of a convent complete with algae-ridden real pond, man-made blue water pond, a cemetery full of mostly nuns and some murder victims, and a flock of llamas. Elizabeth is retired MI-5 and lives with her chess-playing husband who is suffering from dementia. Joyce is a retired nurse and a widow. Ron is a retired labor organizer and widower. Ibrahim is a retired psychotherapist and lifelong bachelor. As sidekicks are two police officers, Chris and Donna. To Donna’s horror, Chris is dating her mother. And there’s Bogdan, a Polish man, who is kind of scary but adores the club members and will do anything for them on a moment’s notice.
The book opens when Ibrahim, who had borrowed Ron’s car for a sojourn into the neighboring village, is mugged by a teenager. Meanwhile a mysterious man who recently moved to Coopers Chase sends Elizabeth an invitation for an afternoon of wine. And Chris and Donna are on the trail of a local drug dealer.
The story is narrated by Lesley Manville, who is perfect for the job. She lovingly brings to life each character in her performance. If you watch British murder mysteries, you will remember her as Mrs. Lorrimer from Cards on the Table, Cathy in Mum, and Phoebe Archbold in Midsomer Murders episode Fit for Murder. And oooh! I just saw that she’s playing Princess Margaret is seasons 5 and 6 of The Crown! She also narrated The Thursday Murder Club that I loved so much, I listened to it a second time when I needed kindness and humor.
So if you would enjoy a little humor and kindness folded into your mystery, I cannot recommend this book more highly.
Five stars.
Keenan Powell
Author
While still in high school, she was one of the illustrators of the original Dungeons and Dragons. Art seemed an impractical pursuit – not an heiress, wouldn’t marry well, hated teaching – so she went to law school instead. When not writing or practicing law, Keenan can be found oil painting, studying the Irish language, or hanging out with her friends at mystery conventions.
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