The impossible fortune by Richard Osman

The fifth book in the Thursday Murder Club mystery series is another riveting story that thrills with the return of the group, this time meeting at the wedding of Joyce’s daughter Joanna. Joyce is thrilled with Paul her new son-in-law, Ron is faced with family problems and Ibrahim is giving Connie therapy. Meanwhile Elizabeth is grieving but when told by Nick, the best man at the wedding, that a bomb had been planted under his car, she can’t resist investigating. With murder, kidnapping, and a code to crack to find a Bitcoin fortune, the gang are faced with plenty of problems to solve.

I love this feel-good series. Osman’s clever humour softens some of the darker themes that provide a background to the story. Ron’s daughter Suzi is trying to leave a violent husband who may try to murder her, while Ibrahim attempts to rehabilitate Connie, a habitual criminal. Elizabeth is gradually gaining some of her energy as her intelligence is challenged by the puzzles surrounding the murder and the missing best man, while Joyce, who often relates the story, is the one who recognises loneliness and does something about it.

It is easy to become fully involved in the lives of the Thursday Murder Club gang as they struggle with personal issues as well as solve another crime. As always, Osman brings depth to his characters and their feelings, each one memorable and different. 

I read this in a couple of sittings and eagerly look forward to more in the series.

Themes: Murder, Aging people, Criminals.

Pat Pledger