The Man Who Died Twice

Didn't want it to end

Are you ready for round two of the comic crime capers that come courtesy of Coopers Chase retirement village’s most celebrated residents? Well I certainly was when I picked up the sequel to Richard Osman’s bestselling debut The Thursday Murder Club, having declared it one of my favourite reads of 2020. Exploding onto the amateur detective scene with as much vitality and enthusiasm as four old age pensioners can muster (and it’s a lot!) they won the hearts of readers up and down the country so the chance to catch up with the likes of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim as they wheedle, manipulate, confuse, connive and charm their way through another investigation is an opportunity too good to miss. I’m happy to report that this crime busting quartet led by ex spook Elizabeth are back with a vengeance, hogging the limelight as they engage in some lateral thinking and uproarious antics in order to outsmart the latest round of villains who threaten to darken their doorstep. Even though they are busy with their far from successful surveillance of local drug dealer Connie Johnson, Fairhaven’s finest cops DCI Chris Hudson and his partner PC Donna De Freitas are again on hand to assist our favourite senior citizens especially when Ibrahim becomes the victim of a vicious mugging. Polish builder Bogdan completes the eclectic band of justice seekers determined to solve the mystery behind a letter addressed to Elizabeth that appears to be written from the deceased Marcus Carmichael. A ghost from the past is all it takes to alert our fantastic four to skulduggery within the criminal fraternity in which the recovery of twenty million pounds worth of diamonds is of paramount importance. Move over the A team the OAP team are here to save the day!! First off I have to comment on how wonderful it is to be reunited with all these familiar characters. I’ve missed their camaraderie, their hilarious conversations, their individual foibles and their ability to behave badly without arousing suspicion. It’s all this plus the friendships, the loyalty and support that exist between the gang of four and their growing band of associates that makes this such a delight to read. The dialogue is off the scale humorous so that from the opening discussion in which Joyce is deliberating with her fellow murder club members whether to join Instagram or get a dog for company you know there are going to be laughs aplenty. I don’t think I’ve read a crime novel where I’ve laughed so much. Thanks to these intrepid, smart, inventive, resourceful and energetic lot who prove age is no barrier when it comes to enjoying life to the max I had a permanent grin on my face as I followed their escapades. I could only marvel at the ingenious ways in which they disentangle themselves from sticky situations, somehow never the worse for wear! There’s been a few developments in the lives of these characters since we were last in their company but they are all still game for a laugh and ready to rise to this latest crime solving challenge. Formerly unlucky in love DCI Chris is now on a strict diet thanks to his blossoming relationship with Patrice, who just happens to be Donna’s mum; Joyce appears to have swapped baking cakes for making sequin embellished friendship bracelets; Bogdan is happily keeping Stephen company challenging him to countless chess games whilst Elizabeth is outmanoeuvring criminal masterminds and Donna still hasn’t found a suitable boyfriend. It’s fair to say I don’t think I could ever tire of these characters who for all their lighthearted silly banter are superb friends to one another. Ron’s friendship with Ibrahim, becoming his constant companion whilst this quiet,careful and unadventurous man slowly heals is so heartwarming. So too is the new found friendship between Ron’s grandson Kendrick and the ex psychiatrist who needless to say both prove invaluable in the race to discover the missing diamonds. Combining Elizabeth’s sharp mind,Joyce’s flirting, Ibrahim’s impressive observational skills and Ron’s use of disguise and underhand tactics you can be sure that retrieving the stolen diamonds is on the cards. However Elizabeth and her acolytes have a few obstacles to overcome on the way to success. Expect danger, devious tactics, double crossings and a few dead bodies! Richard Osman skilfully weaves each strand of the plot together, drawing every single character into the main arena so you’re never quite sure what to expect next. Literally anything can and does happen! All in all it’s riotous, rollicking great fun! As for characters it’s pointless trying to pick a favourite when the author spoils you for choice but I’m going to anyway! Elizabeth as the brains behind the operation obviously stands out but once again it’s ex nurse Joyce who through her diary entries had me in stitches. I just love her voice with it’s mixture of naivety, flirtatiousness, kindness and eccentricity. Her heart is pure gold but she isn’t above a bit of gentle persuasion and coercion as Ibrahim knows only too well! The other three members of the murder club couldn’t wish for a better friend. If I’m honest I love them all! I like how underneath all the comic capering Richard Osman isn’t afraid to touch on the type of problems associated with old age such as dementia (Stephen) and how easy it can be to lose one’s confidence following an unexpected turn of events (Ibrahim). Without being in the least bit patronising and keeping the tone lighthearted he manages to address these issues with both wit, compassion and respect so despite the obstacles they face their value as characters is not diminished and they are not overlooked. If you loved The Thursday Murder Club then I think you’ll love the sequel even more. Richard Osman has triumphed once again with a novel that provides fantastic all round entertainment. Quintessentially English, the plot is pacy, the characters are divine and the humour contagious so it’s hardly surprising The Man Who Died Twice has shot to the top (again!) of my list of favourite 2021 reads.Super easy to devour in one sitting this is one of those highly anticipated novels you can’t wait to start yet you don’t want to finish simply because you’re in such splendid company. This is a book that keeps on giving right up until the very last word. Fingers crossed this isn’t the last we’ll hear of the fabulous four. First class and without hesitation a 5 ⭐️read.

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Polecam

What a book , what a story.

The elderly members of the Thursday Murder Club - Elizabeth, the one-time spy; Ibrahim, retired psychiatrist; Joyce, the practical nurse; and Ron, the fiery union organizer - are happy to start meddling again when one of Elizabeth’s ex-colleagues turns up at their retirement village, on the run after stealing diamonds from a “fixer” who, in turn, was holding them for a mafia kingpin. Quite soon, though, the bodies begin to pile up and the race is on to solve the mystery before our quartet find themselves part of the body count….I thoroughly enjoyed “The Thursday Murder Club,” Mr. Osman’s first novel, to the point where I was almost afraid to pick up this second book because what if the magic didn’t work the second time around? Well, no need to worry, Dear Readers - “The Man Who Died Twice” is just as delightful, poignant, hilarious and compassionate as the first, and our main characters continue to be by turns acerbic, witty, thoughtful and heart-felt - above all, deeply alive. The plot contains many twists and turns, some of which I anticipated but by no means all, but the real joy of this book is once again meeting these characters. And it also contains some of the most polite and gracious bad guys you’d ever want to meet! Highly, highly recommended.