A second helping from Osman of the Thursday Murder Club – The Man Who Died Twice.
The Man Who Died Twice – the blurb
It’s the following Thursday.
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He’s made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.
As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn’t that be a bonus?
But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn’t bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can the Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?
Second time lucky?
I waited a while before reading the first Thursday Murder Club due to its immense popularity (it’s always off putting for me). Having liked it so much however I wasn’t going to delay reading the second outing. Osman seamlessly picks up from where he left off but this time it’s diamonds not bodies that have piqued the interest of the residents of the retirement home everyone wants to attend. The Man Who Died Twice has a bit of classic crime with its hidden clues, a bit of spy/MI5 involvement and, for those who are interested, even a bit of police procedure. But it is Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim who make the book. They are such fantastic characters and work so well together. Add Osman’s brilliant wit and short sentences and you are on to a complete winner.
I ache to see it on television as God it would be such fun. Dame Judi Dench as Elizabeth? Maggie Smith as Joyce? Who on earth would play Bogdan? I’m pleased to report there is a third Thursday Murder Club and I will attend. The second book was a triumph, please let the third one be.