In the retirement community of Coopers Chase, nestled in the quiet Kent countryside, four unlikely detectives gather once a week to discuss cold cases. But what begins as a hobby soon turns into something far more exciting when real murders start happening on their doorstep.
In the bestselling Thursday Murder Club series, Richard Osman combines classic whodunnit puzzles with humour, warmth and memorable characters to create one of the most successful modern British crime series. The charm of the series lies in the contrast between the peaceful setting, the unlikely sleuths and the complexity of the crimes.
These cosy crime novels offer compelling mysteries while also exploring grief, loneliness, loyalty and the enduring excitement of curiosity and friendship later in life. As a consequence, the Thursday Murder Club books have sold millions of copies worldwide and been translated into dozens of languages, attracting readers far beyond the traditional audience for cosy crime fiction.
***WIN all the books in the series in our prize draw, closing 27 March 2026.***
Meet the members of the Thursday Murder Club
Elizabeth Best – Elizabeth is the formidable leader of the Thursday Murder Club. Elegant, composed and exceptionally intelligent, she possesses a calm authority that naturally places her at the centre of the group’s investigations.
Now retired, Elizabeth once worked in intelligence. She has a remarkable network of contacts, an ability to navigate bureaucracies and criminal networks alike, and a strategic mind that allows her to see several moves ahead of adversaries.
Elizabeth cares deeply for her fellow club members and shows particular tenderness towards her husband Stephen, whose declining health adds an emotional dimension to her character. Her combination of intelligence, empathy and determination makes her the group’s most effective detective.
Joyce Meadowcroft – Joyce is the warm, observant voice of the series and serves as one of its primary narrators through her diary entries. A retired nurse, she approaches the world with curiosity, kindness and a keen eye for human behaviour.
She is often underestimated by others, but her ability to notice small details and to connect easily with people proves invaluable to the club’s investigations. Her diary entries provide humour and perspective, recording both the progress of the mystery and the everyday life of the retirement community.
Joyce’s gentle wit and open-mindedness make her the emotional heart of the group. Over the course of the series, she grows increasingly confident in her abilities as an investigator, discovering that her empathy and attentiveness can be as powerful as any analytical method.
Ibrahim Arif – Ibrahim, a retired psychiatrist, brings intellectual rigour and psychological insight to the Thursday Murder Club. Calm, thoughtful and meticulous, he often approaches problems by analysing behaviour and motive rather than relying on instinct or confrontation.
His professional background allows him to interpret the emotional dynamics between suspects, victims and witnesses, providing the group with valuable perspectives on why crimes occur.
While Ibrahim is naturally reserved, he is deeply loyal to his friends and committed to the group’s shared mission. His patience and reasoned thinking often balance the more impulsive tendencies of his companions.
Ron Ritchie – Ron is the most direct and outspoken member of the Thursday Murder Club. A former trade union leader, he has spent much of his life standing up to authority and defending the interests of others.
Ron approaches mysteries with instinct rather than elaborate theory, relying on his experience, courage and strong sense of justice. During the club’s investigations, Ron often asks the difficult questions or confronts dangerous individuals.
While his blunt manner sometimes causes friction, Ron’s loyalty to his friends and family is unquestionable. He is particularly protective of his son and grandson, and his fierce devotion to those he cares about reveals the softer side beneath his tough exterior.
The Books
The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
In the peaceful retirement village of Coopers Chase, four residents meet every Thursday to discuss unsolved crimes. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron treat their investigations as an intellectual hobby – until a real murder occurs on their doorstep. When a property developer connected to the village is found dead, the amateur detectives suddenly find themselves working on a live case involving suspicious business dealings, hidden identities and multiple suspects. Drawing on their combined experience and ingenuity, the group begins to unravel the mystery. Their investigation proves that age brings not only wisdom but also the courage and determination needed to catch a killer. Read our full review here.
Buy now on Amazon
The Man Who Died Twice (2021)
The Thursday Murder Club’s second adventure raises the stakes considerably when Elizabeth’s mysterious past returns to haunt her. An old acquaintance arrives with a dangerous problem involving stolen diamonds, international crime networks and powerful enemies. When he is murdered shortly afterwards, Elizabeth and her friends find themselves drawn into a complex web of espionage and deception. As the body count rises and professional criminals close in, the club must rely on their intelligence, resourcefulness and teamwork to stay one step ahead. What begins as a favour for an old friend soon becomes their most perilous investigation yet.
Buy now on Amazon
The Bullet That Missed (2022)
A decade-old cold case involving the mysterious disappearance of a young journalist investigating a fraud scheme captures the attention of the Thursday Murder Club. Officially ruled to have died in an accident, the journalist’s body was never found and the case was never fully explained. Determined to uncover the truth, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron begin re-examining the evidence. Their search for answers brings them into contact with ambitious media figures, corrupt financiers and a ruthless criminal determined to silence anyone who gets too close. As the investigation unfolds, the club discovers that some secrets remain dangerous long after the original crime has been forgotten.
Buy now on Amazon
The Last Devil to Die (2023)
When a close friend of the Thursday Murder Club is murdered shortly after receiving a mysterious package, the group is once again drawn into a dangerous investigation. The victim’s involvement in the antiques trade leads the club into a shadowy world of art forgery, stolen artefacts and international smuggling networks. As Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron pursue the truth, they must confront criminals who will stop at nothing to recover what has been lost. Alongside the mystery, the case forces the friends to confront questions about loyalty, grief and the enduring importance of friendship in difficult times.
Buy now on Amazon
The Impossible Fortune (2025)
The fifth instalment in the Thursday Murder Club series reunites Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim for another ingenious investigation. What begins as a wedding celebration soon turns sinister when a guest asks Elizabeth for help, fearing someone wants him dead. When he disappears and rumours emerge of a fortune protected by an unbreakable code, the amateur detectives find themselves drawn into a dangerous mystery involving secrets, greed and murder. With their trademark wit, loyalty and cunning, the Thursday Murder Club must unravel a complex puzzle before time – and the killer – runs out.
Buy now on Amazon
Thursday Murder Club Book Six
We understand that the sixth book in the series is due for release in 2027, but we haven’t received details of the title or launch date as yet. When we know, we’ll update this feature and bring you a full review in due course.
The film…
The Thursday Murder Club (2025)
A film adaptation of the first novel in the series has been produced for Netflix, directed by Chris Columbus. The adaptation brings together an impressive cast of internationally recognised actors: Helen Mirren as Elizabeth, Pierce Brosnan as Ron, Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim and Celia Imrie as Joyce.
The adaptation leans strongly towards the series’ lighter elements. It emphasises humour, friendship and character relationships alongside the central mystery. While the puzzle remains an important part of the story, the film focuses on the camaraderie between the four detectives and the warmth of their shared adventures.
Why the series succeeds
The success of the Thursday Murder Club lies in the way it refreshes the traditions of cosy crime while remaining firmly rooted in them. Like the classic mysteries of Agatha Christie, the novels present carefully constructed puzzles with a clear cast of suspects, hidden motives and satisfying solutions.
At the same time, Richard Osman brings a modern sensibility to the genre. The novels devote as much attention to character and friendship as they do to the mechanics of the crime itself. The retirement village setting provides a gentle, humorous backdrop, while the protagonists’ life experience allows them to approach problems in unconventional ways.
Another important part of the series’ appeal is its warmth. Although the stories involve murder, the tone remains hopeful rather than bleak. Themes of companionship, ageing and loyalty run throughout the books, offering a reminder that curiosity and adventure do not disappear with age.
By blending classic detective storytelling with humour, emotional depth and an unforgettable group of characters, the Thursday Murder Club series has carved out a distinctive place in modern crime fiction – one where mystery, friendship and wit are equally important.
