Book Review: The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

The Man Who Died Twice
Author: Richard Osman
Series: Thursday Murder Club Mysteries (Book 2)
Publication: Penguin Books (September 28, 2021)

Description: Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim—the Thursday Murder Club—are still riding high off their recent real-life murder case and are looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet at Cooper’s Chase, their posh retirement village.

An unexpected visitor—an old pal of Elizabeth’s (or perhaps more than just a pal?)—arrives, desperate for her help. He has been accused of stealing diamonds worth millions from the wrong men and he’s seriously on the lam.

Then, as night follows day, the first body is found. But not the last. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are up against a ruthless murderer who wouldn’t bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can our four friends catch the killer before the killer catches them?  And if they find the diamonds, too? Well, wouldn’t that be a bonus?  You should never put anything beyond the Thursday Murder Club.

Richard Osman is back with everyone’s favorite mystery-solving quartet, and the second installment of the Thursday Murder Club series is just as clever and warm as the first—an unputdownable, laugh-out-loud pleasure of a read.

My Thoughts: The Thursday Murder Club is at it again. This time it begins with the arrival of an old friend of Elizabeth's who has been set at her retirement village with his handler Poppy. Apparently, he is wanted man accused, correctly, of stealing 20 million pounds of diamonds from a man who brokers deals with all sorts of criminals. There is quite a list of people who want him dead. 

But that is not all. Ibrahim is mugged and hurt by a young local thug and two of the local cops who helped the Thursday Murder Club are trying to find enough evidence to arrest a local drug dealer. Chris, who is now dating Donna's mother, and Donna are busy staking out the drug dealer but not having much luck catching her doing something criminal. 

When Poppy and Douglas Middlemiss, who happens to be one of Elizabeth's ex-husbands, are murdered, it is up to the Thursday Murder Club to track down the killer and the diamonds. Oh, and if they can find Ibrahim's mugger and help out Donna and Chris with their investigation into the drug dealer, that would be useful too. 

I enjoyed the second Thursday Murder Club which is told from multiple points of view and is a fast-paced and engaging story. 

Favorite Quote:

The twinkle in his eyes was undimmed. The twinkle that gave an entirely undeserved suggestion of wisdom and charm. The twinkle that could make you walk down the aisle with a man almost ten years your junior and regret it within months. The twinkle you soon realize is actually the beam of a lighthouse, warning you off the rocks.

I bought this one November 24, 2023. You can buy your copy here.