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We Solve Murders #1
We Solve Murders
欧宝娱乐 Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2024), Nominee for Readers' Favorite Audiobook (2024)14 hours
A brand new series. An iconic new detective duo. And a puzzling new murder to solve...
Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life. He does the odd bit of investigation work, but he prefers his familiar habits and routines: the pub quiz, his favorite bench, his cat waiting for him when he comes home. His days of adventure are over: adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy鈥檚 business now.
Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. As a private security officer, she doesn鈥檛 stay still long enough for habits or routines. She鈥檚 currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio alive. Which was meant to be an easy job...
Then a dead body, a bag of money, and a killer with their sights on Amy have her sending an SOS to the only person she trusts. A breakneck race around the world begins, but can Amy and Steve stay one step ahead of a lethal enemy?
A brand new series. An iconic new detective duo. And a puzzling new murder to solve...
Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life. He does the odd bit of investigation work, but he prefers his familiar habits and routines: the pub quiz, his favorite bench, his cat waiting for him when he comes home. His days of adventure are over: adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy鈥檚 business now.
Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. As a private security officer, she doesn鈥檛 stay still long enough for habits or routines. She鈥檚 currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio alive. Which was meant to be an easy job...
Then a dead body, a bag of money, and a killer with their sights on Amy have her sending an SOS to the only person she trusts. A breakneck race around the world begins, but can Amy and Steve stay one step ahead of a lethal enemy?
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First published September 17, 2024
14.4k people are currently reading
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About the author
Richard Osman
26听books16k听followersAn English television presenter, producer, director, and novelist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 12,972 reviews
April 3, 2025
OMG! Osman has brought back the big guns and released a brand-new addictive series that I highly enjoyed. At first, I had slight doubts if I could love it as much as the Thursday Murder Club series, but my prayers were answered, and yes, I absolutely adored this new book and its new characters:
Steve Wheeler: a retired cop, local investigator, pub quiz and puzzle expert, pint lover, stray cat cuddler, and a man still grieving his wife, Debbie, as he talks to her about his day. He also has a unique bond with his daughter-in-law, Amy Wheeler.
Amy Wheeler: works in private security as an experienced bodyguard, protecting highly important people. She is calm, calculating, motivated by adrenaline rushes, and always keeps her emotions at bay. Interestingly, she has a successful marriage with her husband, despite rarely seeing each other, and has a closer relationship with her father-in-law than with his son, talking to him every day.
What if fate brings them together to unite their powers and skills to outsmart a very dangerous man named Fran莽ois Loubet? Disguising himself behind emails written in a British gentleman鈥檚 tone, Loubet is a powerful money smuggler who uses micro-influencers for fake advertisement jobs to carry his money across oceans, aided by a smoke screen agent company whose owner is oblivious to the scheme.
Loubet targets influencers protected by Maximum Impact Solutions, where Amy works. Coincidentally, an influencer is found dead each time they unknowingly smuggle money near Amy while she is protecting another client.
Amy鈥檚 latest job is protecting the second most popular eccentric thriller author( Lee Child is still number one), Rosie D鈥橝ntonio, who might be in her eighties (her age is still unknown, but she has the spirit of a 20-year-old). Rosie included a character in her latest book clearly based on Russian chemical oligarch Vasiliy Karpin, making her a target and forcing her to hide on her private island in South Carolina with Amy and former Navy Seal Kevin, who also serves as their private chef.
When another influencer, Andrew Fairbanks, is found dead on a yacht near their location, Amy realizes it鈥檚 no coincidence that each time she is assigned to a client, someone nearby gets killed. Could someone be trying to frame her for the murders and ultimately target her to finish the job? When she gets attacked by an unexpected person, she realizes there鈥檚 a target on her back. She must escape, dragging Rosie with her, who is delighted to have a heart-throbbing adventure as hitmen chase after them.
To protect Rosie and herself, Amy needs someone she can fully trust. Her father-in-law, Steve, is the only man who fits the description. Initially, Steve has no intention of leaving his house, missing the pub quiz, or chatting with his friends over a few pints. And who would take care of his cat, Trouble? But when duty calls and his daughter-in-law鈥檚 life is at stake, he must push himself out of his comfort zone, finding himself in a whirlwind adventure: traveling on private jets, experiencing gourmet food, getting drunk with the mischievous thriller author, vomiting all over the Dublin countryside before helicoptering, shooting at hitmen, befriending new people, and having the time of his life.
Would Steve鈥檚 wits and Amy鈥檚 skills outsmart the army of men sent by Fran莽ois Loubet? And will they be able to identify who he really is, as anyone in their close circle could be working for him?
The clock is ticking. The evidence against Amy piles up! They have to find this mysterious man before he beats them in their own game.
Overall: I had an amazing time and laughed so hard! Rosie D鈥橝ntonio is a legendary character who stole the chapters and made me guffaw several times. I even fell off the couch, laughing so hard my stomach hurt. I wish there were more books, and I could read them for weeks! It is a true mood healer!
I cannot wait to read more adventures of this team! I am looking forward to catching up on more "We Solve Murders" agency鈥檚 adventures!
Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking/Pamela Dorman Books for sharing this amazing cozy mystery鈥檚 digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. And thank you so much to Richard Osman for introducing these amazing characters and writing this fabulous book!
Steve Wheeler: a retired cop, local investigator, pub quiz and puzzle expert, pint lover, stray cat cuddler, and a man still grieving his wife, Debbie, as he talks to her about his day. He also has a unique bond with his daughter-in-law, Amy Wheeler.
Amy Wheeler: works in private security as an experienced bodyguard, protecting highly important people. She is calm, calculating, motivated by adrenaline rushes, and always keeps her emotions at bay. Interestingly, she has a successful marriage with her husband, despite rarely seeing each other, and has a closer relationship with her father-in-law than with his son, talking to him every day.
What if fate brings them together to unite their powers and skills to outsmart a very dangerous man named Fran莽ois Loubet? Disguising himself behind emails written in a British gentleman鈥檚 tone, Loubet is a powerful money smuggler who uses micro-influencers for fake advertisement jobs to carry his money across oceans, aided by a smoke screen agent company whose owner is oblivious to the scheme.
Loubet targets influencers protected by Maximum Impact Solutions, where Amy works. Coincidentally, an influencer is found dead each time they unknowingly smuggle money near Amy while she is protecting another client.
Amy鈥檚 latest job is protecting the second most popular eccentric thriller author( Lee Child is still number one), Rosie D鈥橝ntonio, who might be in her eighties (her age is still unknown, but she has the spirit of a 20-year-old). Rosie included a character in her latest book clearly based on Russian chemical oligarch Vasiliy Karpin, making her a target and forcing her to hide on her private island in South Carolina with Amy and former Navy Seal Kevin, who also serves as their private chef.
When another influencer, Andrew Fairbanks, is found dead on a yacht near their location, Amy realizes it鈥檚 no coincidence that each time she is assigned to a client, someone nearby gets killed. Could someone be trying to frame her for the murders and ultimately target her to finish the job? When she gets attacked by an unexpected person, she realizes there鈥檚 a target on her back. She must escape, dragging Rosie with her, who is delighted to have a heart-throbbing adventure as hitmen chase after them.
To protect Rosie and herself, Amy needs someone she can fully trust. Her father-in-law, Steve, is the only man who fits the description. Initially, Steve has no intention of leaving his house, missing the pub quiz, or chatting with his friends over a few pints. And who would take care of his cat, Trouble? But when duty calls and his daughter-in-law鈥檚 life is at stake, he must push himself out of his comfort zone, finding himself in a whirlwind adventure: traveling on private jets, experiencing gourmet food, getting drunk with the mischievous thriller author, vomiting all over the Dublin countryside before helicoptering, shooting at hitmen, befriending new people, and having the time of his life.
Would Steve鈥檚 wits and Amy鈥檚 skills outsmart the army of men sent by Fran莽ois Loubet? And will they be able to identify who he really is, as anyone in their close circle could be working for him?
The clock is ticking. The evidence against Amy piles up! They have to find this mysterious man before he beats them in their own game.
Overall: I had an amazing time and laughed so hard! Rosie D鈥橝ntonio is a legendary character who stole the chapters and made me guffaw several times. I even fell off the couch, laughing so hard my stomach hurt. I wish there were more books, and I could read them for weeks! It is a true mood healer!
I cannot wait to read more adventures of this team! I am looking forward to catching up on more "We Solve Murders" agency鈥檚 adventures!
Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking/Pamela Dorman Books for sharing this amazing cozy mystery鈥檚 digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. And thank you so much to Richard Osman for introducing these amazing characters and writing this fabulous book!
September 14, 2024
I don鈥檛 even need to read it
Edit: I have since read it and it is in fact a 5 star
Edit: I have since read it and it is in fact a 5 star
April 9, 2025
Who else hit the pre-order button like this?
It opens in South Carolina, I couldn't resist.
Steve and Amy Wheeler make one of the most charming crime-solving duos I've read.
A father-in-law and his daughter-in-law?
That is a bit different.
And while over the course of the novel, you learn a lot about each of them, you can tell that this is just the tip of the personality iceberg with both.
Amy is a badass who loves her work as a bodyguard. Who doesn't want to go to exotic locations and throw grenades out of helicopters?
She's also a very compartmentalized person.
And so is her husband's dad, Steve, a widowed ex-London cop turned village detective.
Steve is owned by a cat named Trouble who has allowed Steve to believe the relationship was his choice.
Amy and Steve have both been through things that have required them to shove their emotions into a tiny little box and suck it up, so they've formed this close bond through daily phone calls where they absolutely do not talk about their feelings. And they will both die on that hill.
But they'll also both die on a hill protecting each other if necessary.
So when Amy is targeted by a (dare I say?) supervillain and set up for a string of murders that she didn't commit, there is only one person in the world she would trust to help her save her life. I mean, she adores her husband, but he's in finance...
I really liked her husband, though. They have their own strange, special relationship with each other. And they鈥檙e both so confident in it that instead of being weird, it鈥檚 just鈥dorable.
Another character I loved was Amy's body-to-guard, Rosie, who has been threatened by a Russian mobster that she carelessly lampooned and wrote into one of her books. Oops.
Rosie D鈥橝ntonio is a best-selling novelist who is sort of putting off this vibrant faux Jackie Collins vibe that I just loved.
How old is she? Who knows? Anywhere from 65-85, she ain't telling, that's for sure. Age is just a number, and that number is directly related to how much booze you can still drink and whether or not you can crash at your good friend Barb's (that Barb for barbiturates, not Barbara, btw) shamanic therapy resort when things get hot. Full of life, full of energy, and I'm sure full of Botox, she鈥檚 still rocking her best life.
Ok, so if you're like me, and already a huge fan of Osman's Thursday Murder Club Series, you'll definitely want to check this out.
HOWEVER.
This isn't exactly another cozy mystery series. But it does sort of come off like a cozy thriller.
Is that a thing? I feel like it should be a thing.
It's fun. <--that's what I'm trying to say.
I think you'll like it. I did.
Highly Recommended.
It opens in South Carolina, I couldn't resist.
Steve and Amy Wheeler make one of the most charming crime-solving duos I've read.
A father-in-law and his daughter-in-law?
That is a bit different.
And while over the course of the novel, you learn a lot about each of them, you can tell that this is just the tip of the personality iceberg with both.
Amy is a badass who loves her work as a bodyguard. Who doesn't want to go to exotic locations and throw grenades out of helicopters?
She's also a very compartmentalized person.
And so is her husband's dad, Steve, a widowed ex-London cop turned village detective.
Steve is owned by a cat named Trouble who has allowed Steve to believe the relationship was his choice.
Amy and Steve have both been through things that have required them to shove their emotions into a tiny little box and suck it up, so they've formed this close bond through daily phone calls where they absolutely do not talk about their feelings. And they will both die on that hill.
But they'll also both die on a hill protecting each other if necessary.
So when Amy is targeted by a (dare I say?) supervillain and set up for a string of murders that she didn't commit, there is only one person in the world she would trust to help her save her life. I mean, she adores her husband, but he's in finance...
I really liked her husband, though. They have their own strange, special relationship with each other. And they鈥檙e both so confident in it that instead of being weird, it鈥檚 just鈥dorable.
Another character I loved was Amy's body-to-guard, Rosie, who has been threatened by a Russian mobster that she carelessly lampooned and wrote into one of her books. Oops.
Rosie D鈥橝ntonio is a best-selling novelist who is sort of putting off this vibrant faux Jackie Collins vibe that I just loved.
How old is she? Who knows? Anywhere from 65-85, she ain't telling, that's for sure. Age is just a number, and that number is directly related to how much booze you can still drink and whether or not you can crash at your good friend Barb's (that Barb for barbiturates, not Barbara, btw) shamanic therapy resort when things get hot. Full of life, full of energy, and I'm sure full of Botox, she鈥檚 still rocking her best life.
Ok, so if you're like me, and already a huge fan of Osman's Thursday Murder Club Series, you'll definitely want to check this out.
HOWEVER.
This isn't exactly another cozy mystery series. But it does sort of come off like a cozy thriller.
Is that a thing? I feel like it should be a thing.
It's fun. <--that's what I'm trying to say.
I think you'll like it. I did.
Highly Recommended.
December 9, 2024
From where I'm sitting, it seems like Richard Osman can do no wrong.
It's no secret that I love The Thursday Murder Club series. So when I heard the author was going to venture away and start another series with brand new characters, I was obviously excited. But also nervous. Because what if Richard Osman is a one-trick pony? What if he couldn't recapture the magic of four septuagenarians with a father and daughter-in-law duo? But my worries were completely unfounded, my friends, because the magic is all here.
From the moment I opened that first page, I knew I was going to adore this. All the hallmarks I've come to love about Osman's stories are on display here, from his loveable characters to his clever mysteries to the gentle humor that infuses every page. But this time, instead of puttering around a sleepy retirement village, our keen-eyed detectives traipse all over world, racking up the miles and adventures in equal measure.
The mystery here is a fun one. Amy is a private bodyguard extraordinaire, but someone has gotten past her security and is trying to kill her client. Oh oops, actually, the target is her. So Amy must turn to the one person she trusts the most, her father-in-law Steve, lure him out of retirement, and get his help before she ends up dead. Along the way, there are bags of money, assassins everywhere, and oodles of excitement as they race through exotic locales making new friends and foes alike.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way this all unfolded. As it typical of the best mysteries, we get clues and red herrings aplenty, and each new one serves up even more fun. First our attention is diverted one way, then another, and yet when the reveal finally happens, we're still taken by surprise.
Of course, one of the things that makes reading Richard Osman so special is how he portrays the characters and their relationships with each other. They come alive on the pages, and their interactions are so lovely and delightful, it makes me wish they were real and I really knew them. But it's not all rainbows and sunshine. Osman manages to tackle serious topics too, like grief and loneliness, with his trademark humor and wit, and the result is so heartwarming it touches something deep within me.
Now I'm in the happy position of being unsure which series I want Richard Osman to continue next. Either way, I'm sure to enjoy myself, so it's a good dilemma to have.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Thursday Murder Club:
#1. The Thursday Murder Club
#2. The Man Who Died Twice
#3. The Bullet That Missed
#4. The Last Devil to Die
~~~~~~~~~~~~
鉁� Connect with me 鉁� 鉁�
It's no secret that I love The Thursday Murder Club series. So when I heard the author was going to venture away and start another series with brand new characters, I was obviously excited. But also nervous. Because what if Richard Osman is a one-trick pony? What if he couldn't recapture the magic of four septuagenarians with a father and daughter-in-law duo? But my worries were completely unfounded, my friends, because the magic is all here.
From the moment I opened that first page, I knew I was going to adore this. All the hallmarks I've come to love about Osman's stories are on display here, from his loveable characters to his clever mysteries to the gentle humor that infuses every page. But this time, instead of puttering around a sleepy retirement village, our keen-eyed detectives traipse all over world, racking up the miles and adventures in equal measure.
The mystery here is a fun one. Amy is a private bodyguard extraordinaire, but someone has gotten past her security and is trying to kill her client. Oh oops, actually, the target is her. So Amy must turn to the one person she trusts the most, her father-in-law Steve, lure him out of retirement, and get his help before she ends up dead. Along the way, there are bags of money, assassins everywhere, and oodles of excitement as they race through exotic locales making new friends and foes alike.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way this all unfolded. As it typical of the best mysteries, we get clues and red herrings aplenty, and each new one serves up even more fun. First our attention is diverted one way, then another, and yet when the reveal finally happens, we're still taken by surprise.
Of course, one of the things that makes reading Richard Osman so special is how he portrays the characters and their relationships with each other. They come alive on the pages, and their interactions are so lovely and delightful, it makes me wish they were real and I really knew them. But it's not all rainbows and sunshine. Osman manages to tackle serious topics too, like grief and loneliness, with his trademark humor and wit, and the result is so heartwarming it touches something deep within me.
Now I'm in the happy position of being unsure which series I want Richard Osman to continue next. Either way, I'm sure to enjoy myself, so it's a good dilemma to have.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Thursday Murder Club:
#1. The Thursday Murder Club
#2. The Man Who Died Twice
#3. The Bullet That Missed
#4. The Last Devil to Die
~~~~~~~~~~~~
鉁� Connect with me 鉁� 鉁�
September 17, 2024
I鈥檓 struggling to understand the high rating for this one, just like I am struggling to get through the book itself. The characters are flat, and there are about 84 of them. The plot was everywhere, all over the place. This one only has the worst parts of TMC, spy/mob/hitmen ish. Not my favorite. There were a couple of giggles, but overall fairly boring. Sadness. Thank goodness TMC 5 is out in 2025.
September 22, 2024
He sends emails in the tone of a British Gentleman using ChatGPT to disguise his real identity鈥�
But WHO is Fran莽ois Loubet?
He is a powerful money smuggler and he is using unsuspecting 鈥淚nfluencers鈥� being protected by Maximum Impact Solutions to move his money.
Amy Wheeler is a private security officer, for Maximum Impact Solutions and she is currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio alive. (think an older Samantha from Sex in the City or even Blanche from the Golden Girls)
It was supposed to be an EASY job.
But dead bodies and bags of money, keep showing up with Amy鈥檚 blood always found nearby. She is being set up.
Amy will have to turn to the ONLY person she feels she can trust for help-a retired cop and 鈥渟ometimes鈥� local investigator who just happens to be her father-in-law-Steve Wheeler.
Steve has recently lost his beloved wife Debbie, and he talks to her from a bench near his home, finds comfort from a stray cat named Trouble, which he recently adopted, and enjoys pints and Pub quizzes with his neighbors.
He has no desire to travel the World only one step ahead of the several would-be assassins who are tracking both Rosie and (now) Amy.
But, he loves Amy, so he won鈥檛 say no.
The result? Another fast paced, mystery filled with a new cast of likable characters and the same trademark HUMOR we have come to expect from the talented Richard Osman.
YES- he has another HIT on his hands!
I have LOVED his Thursday Murder Club series ( and am glad there will be more) but I am now ALSO looking forward to more cases for the 鈥� We Solve Murders鈥� agency. If you enjoyed TMC-I do believe that you will enjoy this series too!
The acknowledgments chapter at the end of the book hints at which characters will be back and I am glad to see that the hilarious and IRRESISTIBLE Rosie D鈥橝ntonio will be one of them. Hopefully we will get to know Amy鈥檚 husband Adam a bit better in the next installment.
A buddy read with Mary Beth-Did she enjoy her first by Osman?
AVAILABLE NOW!
I paired my reading with the fantastic Audible narrated by Nicola Walker. I wish to thank the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both formats!
But WHO is Fran莽ois Loubet?
He is a powerful money smuggler and he is using unsuspecting 鈥淚nfluencers鈥� being protected by Maximum Impact Solutions to move his money.
Amy Wheeler is a private security officer, for Maximum Impact Solutions and she is currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio alive. (think an older Samantha from Sex in the City or even Blanche from the Golden Girls)
It was supposed to be an EASY job.
But dead bodies and bags of money, keep showing up with Amy鈥檚 blood always found nearby. She is being set up.
Amy will have to turn to the ONLY person she feels she can trust for help-a retired cop and 鈥渟ometimes鈥� local investigator who just happens to be her father-in-law-Steve Wheeler.
Steve has recently lost his beloved wife Debbie, and he talks to her from a bench near his home, finds comfort from a stray cat named Trouble, which he recently adopted, and enjoys pints and Pub quizzes with his neighbors.
He has no desire to travel the World only one step ahead of the several would-be assassins who are tracking both Rosie and (now) Amy.
But, he loves Amy, so he won鈥檛 say no.
The result? Another fast paced, mystery filled with a new cast of likable characters and the same trademark HUMOR we have come to expect from the talented Richard Osman.
YES- he has another HIT on his hands!
I have LOVED his Thursday Murder Club series ( and am glad there will be more) but I am now ALSO looking forward to more cases for the 鈥� We Solve Murders鈥� agency. If you enjoyed TMC-I do believe that you will enjoy this series too!
The acknowledgments chapter at the end of the book hints at which characters will be back and I am glad to see that the hilarious and IRRESISTIBLE Rosie D鈥橝ntonio will be one of them. Hopefully we will get to know Amy鈥檚 husband Adam a bit better in the next installment.
A buddy read with Mary Beth-Did she enjoy her first by Osman?
AVAILABLE NOW!
I paired my reading with the fantastic Audible narrated by Nicola Walker. I wish to thank the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both formats!
August 30, 2024
Richard Osman introduces fans to a new detective duo in
We Solve Murders,
the first book in a new mystery series. Amy Wheeler works in private security. She鈥檚 currently on a private island off the coast of South Carolina guarding bestselling author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio. In the nearby waters, a dead body and a bag of money are found on a yacht. Amy calls her father-in-law, Steve Wheeler, for help.
All of the primary and main secondary characters are well-drawn. Amy loves adrenaline and hates relaxing. She鈥檚 loyal, good at fighting, strong, and fast, but lacks experience with murder investigations. She鈥檚 married to Steve鈥檚 son, Adam. They love each other, but spend most of their time apart as they both travel extensively for their jobs. It seems to work for them at this point in their lives. Steve is a retired police officer who is enjoying his familiar routines including the weekly pub quiz, sitting on his favorite bench, and spending time with his cat, Trouble. His relationship with Adam is somewhat strained, but he talks almost daily with Amy. He handles the occasional local investigation. He helps people when he can and is steadfast and resilient. Rosie is an extremely successful author who loves adventure and is brash and funny.
What a whirlwind of a book! Readers are taken on a trip around the world as Amy and Steve, with help from Rosie, work to solve various murders. From South Carolina to England to St. Lucia to Ireland and Dubai, this duo is joined by Rosie and others as they try to unravel the mystery.
Blended with humor, the twisty plot has several puzzles to be resolved before the criminal mastermind can be unveiled. My biggest quibble is that the story switches points of view frequently which adversely affected the pacing of the story for me. These transitions weren鈥檛 as smooth as I expected. Despite this, the dialogue, relationships, great characterization, and humor, as well as the mystery, kept me fully engaged in the story. Readers get insight into the lives of several of the criminals in this novel which adds another layer of context and interest. Threads of family, friendship, connections, loss of a loved one, communication, social media influencers, corruption, justice, and criminal organizations add depth to the novel.
Overall, this was an entertaining, fun, and delightful novel with some tense moments that kept me engaged throughout. It鈥檚 a good start to a new series. I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing where the author takes this dynamic trio on their next adventure.
PENGUIN GROUP Viking 鈥� Pamela Dorman Books and Richard Osman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 17, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------
My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
All of the primary and main secondary characters are well-drawn. Amy loves adrenaline and hates relaxing. She鈥檚 loyal, good at fighting, strong, and fast, but lacks experience with murder investigations. She鈥檚 married to Steve鈥檚 son, Adam. They love each other, but spend most of their time apart as they both travel extensively for their jobs. It seems to work for them at this point in their lives. Steve is a retired police officer who is enjoying his familiar routines including the weekly pub quiz, sitting on his favorite bench, and spending time with his cat, Trouble. His relationship with Adam is somewhat strained, but he talks almost daily with Amy. He handles the occasional local investigation. He helps people when he can and is steadfast and resilient. Rosie is an extremely successful author who loves adventure and is brash and funny.
What a whirlwind of a book! Readers are taken on a trip around the world as Amy and Steve, with help from Rosie, work to solve various murders. From South Carolina to England to St. Lucia to Ireland and Dubai, this duo is joined by Rosie and others as they try to unravel the mystery.
Blended with humor, the twisty plot has several puzzles to be resolved before the criminal mastermind can be unveiled. My biggest quibble is that the story switches points of view frequently which adversely affected the pacing of the story for me. These transitions weren鈥檛 as smooth as I expected. Despite this, the dialogue, relationships, great characterization, and humor, as well as the mystery, kept me fully engaged in the story. Readers get insight into the lives of several of the criminals in this novel which adds another layer of context and interest. Threads of family, friendship, connections, loss of a loved one, communication, social media influencers, corruption, justice, and criminal organizations add depth to the novel.
Overall, this was an entertaining, fun, and delightful novel with some tense moments that kept me engaged throughout. It鈥檚 a good start to a new series. I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing where the author takes this dynamic trio on their next adventure.
PENGUIN GROUP Viking 鈥� Pamela Dorman Books and Richard Osman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 17, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------
My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
July 18, 2024
Damn you, Richard Osman. I was not planning on starting another series seeing as how I'm perpetually behind on the ones I'm already reading, but I suppose I'll add We Solve Murders to my list. Throw some humor into a thriller and it gets me every time.
But, seriously, how have I not read anything by Osman before? I loved this book. It's brilliant. It's action-packed. It's hilarious. I want Rosie D'Antonio to be my new best friend.
It's a little weird at first. I mean, Amy and Steve are very, very close for being in-laws. I've been married for over fifteen years now and I've never once called my father-in-law on the phone just to chat, much less teamed up for 鈥� *gesticulates wildly* 鈥� all of the shenanigans that Amy and Steve manage to get into in this novel. They're really a fantastic pair, though, and their obvious affection for each other really makes the story. Well, that and Rosie D'Antonio.
Rosie is witty and hilarious and the the type of old woman that I aspire to be someday (complete with private island). And, really, all of the characters are a lot of fun, from mysterious bad guy (and ChatGPT-enthusiast) Fran莽ois Loubet to Eddie, the hitman with a creative side hobby.
The mystery itself is solid. I figured out the identity of 鈥淛oe Blow鈥� pretty early on, but otherwise it was all a complete surprise. I really liked how low-key the climax was considering the frenetic pace of the rest of the story. Nothing got blown up, nothing too outrageous happened, it was just 鈥渙h, hey, we've figured this out 鈥︹€� and then everyone goes on with their lives.
The last chapter is obviously a set up for the books to follow, and I am totally here for it. And it goes without saying that I need to pick up some more Richard Osman books in the meantime.
My overall rating: 4.7 stars, rounded up. If you like witty thrillers with humor and heart, definitely consider giving this one a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 17, 2024.
But, seriously, how have I not read anything by Osman before? I loved this book. It's brilliant. It's action-packed. It's hilarious. I want Rosie D'Antonio to be my new best friend.
It's a little weird at first. I mean, Amy and Steve are very, very close for being in-laws. I've been married for over fifteen years now and I've never once called my father-in-law on the phone just to chat, much less teamed up for 鈥� *gesticulates wildly* 鈥� all of the shenanigans that Amy and Steve manage to get into in this novel. They're really a fantastic pair, though, and their obvious affection for each other really makes the story. Well, that and Rosie D'Antonio.
Rosie is witty and hilarious and the the type of old woman that I aspire to be someday (complete with private island). And, really, all of the characters are a lot of fun, from mysterious bad guy (and ChatGPT-enthusiast) Fran莽ois Loubet to Eddie, the hitman with a creative side hobby.
The mystery itself is solid. I figured out the identity of 鈥淛oe Blow鈥� pretty early on, but otherwise it was all a complete surprise. I really liked how low-key the climax was considering the frenetic pace of the rest of the story. Nothing got blown up, nothing too outrageous happened, it was just 鈥渙h, hey, we've figured this out 鈥︹€� and then everyone goes on with their lives.
The last chapter is obviously a set up for the books to follow, and I am totally here for it. And it goes without saying that I need to pick up some more Richard Osman books in the meantime.
My overall rating: 4.7 stars, rounded up. If you like witty thrillers with humor and heart, definitely consider giving this one a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 17, 2024.
September 18, 2024
A fun read with likeable characters (Rosie was my favorite !).Perhaps a bit too much going on at times, but overall, an engaging and entertaining read! Will definitely be following this series!
Detailed review to follow.
Detailed review to follow.
October 9, 2024
A new series from this author!
I was easily pulled into the lives of the eccentric characters and the mystery of Francois Loubet! He is the world's biggest money smuggler and works incognito. Amy is a bodyguard working for a private security company. She is currently protecting Rosie D鈥橝ntonio, a best-selling author and is always coming up with new titles and characters for her future books. "Can I use that in a book?" was her go to line! She made me LOL many times! She added drama many times.
Steve and his cat, Trouble (a rescued stray) were also favorites.
A fun, engaging and entertaining read for me!
I love the characters this author creates and I'm here for the next in this series. Also, waiting for Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim and Ron to come back in the next Thursday Murder Club #5!
This one published on Sept 17,2024 and I purchased the kindle ebook/and added the audio.
I was easily pulled into the lives of the eccentric characters and the mystery of Francois Loubet! He is the world's biggest money smuggler and works incognito. Amy is a bodyguard working for a private security company. She is currently protecting Rosie D鈥橝ntonio, a best-selling author and is always coming up with new titles and characters for her future books. "Can I use that in a book?" was her go to line! She made me LOL many times! She added drama many times.
Steve and his cat, Trouble (a rescued stray) were also favorites.
A fun, engaging and entertaining read for me!
I love the characters this author creates and I'm here for the next in this series. Also, waiting for Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim and Ron to come back in the next Thursday Murder Club #5!
This one published on Sept 17,2024 and I purchased the kindle ebook/and added the audio.
September 29, 2024
If Richard Osman had any reason to take a break from the beloved Thursday Murder Club series that many of us have come to love to start a new one, at least he made it a good one!
Amy Wheeler works in the close protection business for a company called Maximum Impact Solutions. Her latest client is feisty and fun long-time author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio, who鈥檚 had a hit placed on her by a powerful Russian mogul, Vasiliy Karpin, who didn鈥檛 appreciate being outed by her in her latest book. Amy is a force to be reckoned with - don鈥檛 let that calm exterior fool you.
Meet Francois Loubet (pronounced loo-bay). Well 鈥� that鈥檚 the name he uses. In a fascinating plot device that never would鈥檝e occurred to me before this book, whoever this mysterious individual is, he communicates via email AFTER he鈥檚 run what he wants to say through the AI program ChatGPT, telling it to rewrite it 鈥渋n the style of a friendly English gentleman, please.鈥� Brilliant move to conceal his identity, but scary in its real-world applications!
Loubet is a powerful money smuggler who鈥檚 using unsuspecting low-level social media influencers protected by Maximum Impact to move large quantities of money. When they start meeting unfortunate ends, Amy鈥檚 boss and trusted friend, Jeff Nolan, threatens Loubet, putting a target on both his own and Amy鈥檚 backs. Luckily, this chess match is a little more evenly matched since both sides know how to play the game!
Part of Amy鈥檚 strategy? Bring in her recently widowed retired-cop/part-time investigator father-in-law Steve to help. He doesn鈥檛 really want to. He鈥檚 comfortable with his pub trivia nights, his small group of friends and taking care of his cat, Trouble, but Amy needs him and he鈥檇 do anything to help her.
So what happens when you combine an adrenaline junkie daughter-in-law, a savvy, but reluctant father-in-law, and a thrill-seeking, fearless author in various life-threatening scenarios? It鈥檚 Richard Osman 鈥� you get FUN, of course!
True to style, Osman鈥檚 strength is his characters. He knows how to write a diverse, richly imagined cast who always embody so much personality that you love them whether they鈥檙e friend or foe. There鈥檚 not a single character I didn鈥檛 like, and his ability to find humor and lightness in the darkest of scenarios is what makes his books a magnet for me. Another big draw? The narrators for his audiobooks are always stellar. In this case, Nicola Walker bats it out of the park.
The only ding to my rating is simply that I wasn鈥檛 as enamored of the mystery itself as I was the characters. It鈥檚 a large cast, so keeping up with all the names and connections was sometimes challenging, and I don鈥檛 love social media influencers as a device in stories, though they played a very small part. That鈥檚 a me thing. What I do love is the main three characters - particularly Rosie, who is SO much fun and will be back for the next book. It鈥檚 a great start to the series, and thankfully, will coexist with The Thursday Murder Club series, as that gang gets a return visit in Osman鈥檚 next book. I can鈥檛 wait!
鈽呪槄鈽呪槄 陆
Thanks to my library/Libby for the Kindle copy and audio. This book is out now!
Amy Wheeler works in the close protection business for a company called Maximum Impact Solutions. Her latest client is feisty and fun long-time author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio, who鈥檚 had a hit placed on her by a powerful Russian mogul, Vasiliy Karpin, who didn鈥檛 appreciate being outed by her in her latest book. Amy is a force to be reckoned with - don鈥檛 let that calm exterior fool you.
Meet Francois Loubet (pronounced loo-bay). Well 鈥� that鈥檚 the name he uses. In a fascinating plot device that never would鈥檝e occurred to me before this book, whoever this mysterious individual is, he communicates via email AFTER he鈥檚 run what he wants to say through the AI program ChatGPT, telling it to rewrite it 鈥渋n the style of a friendly English gentleman, please.鈥� Brilliant move to conceal his identity, but scary in its real-world applications!
Loubet is a powerful money smuggler who鈥檚 using unsuspecting low-level social media influencers protected by Maximum Impact to move large quantities of money. When they start meeting unfortunate ends, Amy鈥檚 boss and trusted friend, Jeff Nolan, threatens Loubet, putting a target on both his own and Amy鈥檚 backs. Luckily, this chess match is a little more evenly matched since both sides know how to play the game!
Part of Amy鈥檚 strategy? Bring in her recently widowed retired-cop/part-time investigator father-in-law Steve to help. He doesn鈥檛 really want to. He鈥檚 comfortable with his pub trivia nights, his small group of friends and taking care of his cat, Trouble, but Amy needs him and he鈥檇 do anything to help her.
So what happens when you combine an adrenaline junkie daughter-in-law, a savvy, but reluctant father-in-law, and a thrill-seeking, fearless author in various life-threatening scenarios? It鈥檚 Richard Osman 鈥� you get FUN, of course!
True to style, Osman鈥檚 strength is his characters. He knows how to write a diverse, richly imagined cast who always embody so much personality that you love them whether they鈥檙e friend or foe. There鈥檚 not a single character I didn鈥檛 like, and his ability to find humor and lightness in the darkest of scenarios is what makes his books a magnet for me. Another big draw? The narrators for his audiobooks are always stellar. In this case, Nicola Walker bats it out of the park.
The only ding to my rating is simply that I wasn鈥檛 as enamored of the mystery itself as I was the characters. It鈥檚 a large cast, so keeping up with all the names and connections was sometimes challenging, and I don鈥檛 love social media influencers as a device in stories, though they played a very small part. That鈥檚 a me thing. What I do love is the main three characters - particularly Rosie, who is SO much fun and will be back for the next book. It鈥檚 a great start to the series, and thankfully, will coexist with The Thursday Murder Club series, as that gang gets a return visit in Osman鈥檚 next book. I can鈥檛 wait!
鈽呪槄鈽呪槄 陆
Thanks to my library/Libby for the Kindle copy and audio. This book is out now!
November 10, 2024
If Richard Osman writes it, I read it 馃
October 16, 2024
鈥淲e Solve Murders. Great name for a book.鈥�
It would be so easy if it was just Amy and Steve Wheeler as characters. Maybe just Rosie, too. But then there is someone named Francois Loubet? And Joe Blow. Who are these people? And why does Francois Loubet insist on wanting to kill Amy and all these other people?
But that isn鈥檛 enough. There are so many other characters that I find I am having to make a list. Can I keep track of who is who? And how they relate to whom? Am I getting confused? Yes, I am. But let me try and get on track here.
So, let鈥檚 just say we have main characters Steve and Amy. Steve is a retired cop who is a widower who enjoys talking to his late wife Debbie on her memorial bench, while he keeps busy with freelance work. He enjoys the weekly pub quiz and conversing with his daughter-in-law, Amy who works in private security, currently on a job watching Rosie, an author. But Amy is being framed for murders, and this doesn鈥檛 sit well for Amy, Rosie or Steve. And, now they need to find out why this is happening. And, this is where all these characters come in. And, a lot of globetrotting, which takes Steve out of his comfort zone.
Rosie is a hoot, and Steve is full of grief, and Amy is fearless. All the other characters are just extended to the list. And, did I say that Amy is married to Adam, Steve鈥檚 son, but he barely makes an entrance to the book?
Still, eventually, the plot all comes together, making it a fun, light read, but鈥�
And, yes there is a but鈥or this to be a good series, a little more time needs to be provided to flesh out our main characters, and a little less time to creating a slew of so many other side characters.
But having said that鈥peaking of characters鈥� it is nice to have a cat named Trouble. Let鈥檚 have more page time for Trouble.
It would be so easy if it was just Amy and Steve Wheeler as characters. Maybe just Rosie, too. But then there is someone named Francois Loubet? And Joe Blow. Who are these people? And why does Francois Loubet insist on wanting to kill Amy and all these other people?
But that isn鈥檛 enough. There are so many other characters that I find I am having to make a list. Can I keep track of who is who? And how they relate to whom? Am I getting confused? Yes, I am. But let me try and get on track here.
So, let鈥檚 just say we have main characters Steve and Amy. Steve is a retired cop who is a widower who enjoys talking to his late wife Debbie on her memorial bench, while he keeps busy with freelance work. He enjoys the weekly pub quiz and conversing with his daughter-in-law, Amy who works in private security, currently on a job watching Rosie, an author. But Amy is being framed for murders, and this doesn鈥檛 sit well for Amy, Rosie or Steve. And, now they need to find out why this is happening. And, this is where all these characters come in. And, a lot of globetrotting, which takes Steve out of his comfort zone.
Rosie is a hoot, and Steve is full of grief, and Amy is fearless. All the other characters are just extended to the list. And, did I say that Amy is married to Adam, Steve鈥檚 son, but he barely makes an entrance to the book?
Still, eventually, the plot all comes together, making it a fun, light read, but鈥�
And, yes there is a but鈥or this to be a good series, a little more time needs to be provided to flesh out our main characters, and a little less time to creating a slew of so many other side characters.
But having said that鈥peaking of characters鈥� it is nice to have a cat named Trouble. Let鈥檚 have more page time for Trouble.
July 28, 2024
bad news is this was not good, good news is that we are getting thursday murder club 5 next year and hopefully peace will be restored
August 24, 2024
I'm glad we'll be going back to Cooper's Chase next year...
January 19, 2025
鈥淚t鈥檚 not every daughter-in-law who will high-five you when you鈥檝e shot a drug dealer in a Coldplay T-shirt, is it?鈥�
This was so much unabashed over-the-top humorous and optimistically sweet fun! Zipping around the world, avoiding multiple murder attempts while solving murders tied to a money-smuggling scheme, we have an unlikely team of a (mostly) retired ex-cop Steve, his badass bodyguard daughter-in-law Amy and a famous writer used to high life, private jets and drunk sex Rosie, with snappy banter and frenetic pace in lightning-fast short chapters, with a few colorful side characters (including one aspiring paint influencer and an action movie actor who seems to have issues allocating enough of his few brain cells to juggle walking and breathing at the same time) 鈥� all that pretty much guarantees a few hours of a good time without too much brain effort. And that works after long and stressful work days, trust me.
鈥楾here are murders to be solved, and I can鈥檛 do it by myself. It鈥檚 you and me.鈥�
鈥楤ut we don鈥檛 solve murders,鈥� says Steve.
He can hear Amy smiling down the phone. 鈥楾hen we鈥檙e going to have to start.鈥�
It鈥檚 a very light read full of love and friendship and all kinds of feel-good while avoiding any sappiness with the help of humor and snark. It鈥檚 a bit ridiculous and exaggerated, and it鈥檚 where it gets its charm. And I鈥檓 quite happy to pick up a few more of Osman鈥檚 books so that my world can get a bit of silly happiness.
鈥淗ave you ever shot anyone before?鈥� Rosie asks Steve, while snapping through Amy鈥檚 cable ties.
鈥楴o,鈥� says Steve. 鈥楤ut the Coldplay T-shirt made it easier.鈥�
It鈥檚 nothing life-changing or deep or profound, but it鈥檚 simply delightful, and that鈥檚 enough.
3.5 stars.
鈥斺赌斺赌斺赌斺赌斺赌�
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October 16, 2024
I wanted to hate this book. I wanted it to be horrible, bland and nonsensical. Why? Because I love my Thursday Murder Club characters and couldn鈥檛 stand the thought of leaving them behind after they brought me so much reading joy 馃ス
But I didn鈥檛 hate it. In fact I loved it. Same brilliant writing style and loveable characters. Steve, Amy and Rose are phenomenal. The plot is riveting and In the same style of Richard鈥檚 other books, they readers will have an unforgettable adventure while solving a tangled mystery (鈥榯angled mystery鈥� would be a great name for a book 馃槀)
In conclusion, if you love the Thursday Murder club then you will adore We Solve Murders 鉂わ笍
But I didn鈥檛 hate it. In fact I loved it. Same brilliant writing style and loveable characters. Steve, Amy and Rose are phenomenal. The plot is riveting and In the same style of Richard鈥檚 other books, they readers will have an unforgettable adventure while solving a tangled mystery (鈥榯angled mystery鈥� would be a great name for a book 馃槀)
In conclusion, if you love the Thursday Murder club then you will adore We Solve Murders 鉂わ笍
September 21, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded up. Like many I am a big fan of the "Thursday Murder Club" but I can appreciate an author doing more/different too, so I was happy to try this one. But, I just didn't enjoy iy quite as much. The two main things that didn't work for me are: I really disliked a MC - Amy, who I never felt like I knew or cared about & also just way, way too many secondary characters (Like why did we even need Bonnie??- there was nothing she really added at all). I often had to go back a page or two to get the next character & action, it was just too much at times. I did however, really appreciate all the exotic locals & private planes, etc. - big change from Cooper's Chase! And Rosie was a hoot! Still I enjoyed it overall, and will happily read another if/when published
September 21, 2024
So disappointed in this one. I did like the character Steve, but that was about it. The plot was all over the place. 2.5 rounded down.
September 22, 2024
This is a brand new series.
As I enjoyed the previous one (especially book #4, as the author put his heart into it), I had high expectations.
I must confess that I had a hard time feeling motivated to finish it, because I was not captivated by the story or its development.
It鈥檚 too cutesy and too shallow for me, and there are too many characters (and I didn鈥檛 care for a single one).
It is a fast read and the writing is simple and clear. Despite the number of characters, I did not find confusing. It鈥檚 definitely not boring.
I really think I鈥檓 not the right audience for this book, so please don鈥檛 let my opinion influence you negatively.
ebook (Kobo): 301 pages (default), 93k words (101 chapters).
As I enjoyed the previous one (especially book #4, as the author put his heart into it), I had high expectations.
I must confess that I had a hard time feeling motivated to finish it, because I was not captivated by the story or its development.
It鈥檚 too cutesy and too shallow for me, and there are too many characters (and I didn鈥檛 care for a single one).
It is a fast read and the writing is simple and clear. Despite the number of characters, I did not find confusing. It鈥檚 definitely not boring.
I really think I鈥檓 not the right audience for this book, so please don鈥檛 let my opinion influence you negatively.
ebook (Kobo): 301 pages (default), 93k words (101 chapters).
November 20, 2024
4.5 stars - What a delightful new action thriller series! This was a little slow getting going, but that was offset but my utter delight in the new characters we meet in this new series. Steve has my entire heart and he & Amy are just so sweet.
October 6, 2024
I do enjoy witty banter! I have been going in blind to reading some new authors (to me) books recently. I mean I know the broad category but am not familiar with their other works and this is one of them and I LOVED it. The first half of the book the plot is fast paced, and the dialogue remains funny. If I have any quibbles, it is the large cast of characters. I sometimes had to go back and reread pages to remember who they were. Part of my fun in reading mysteries is guessing "who done it". I had a lot of fun with this and changed my mind several times. I recommend this book and plan to read the next one. I am enjoying that some of the best-selling books have a mix of ages for the characters. Let me say Rosie is a wonderfully written character that is my favorite as she has done it all. 4.5* and I plan to read other books by the author and can't wait for book II in this series.
October 14, 2024
EXCERPT: 'There'll be a plane waiting for you at Farnborough,' says Amy. 'Rosie's private jet.'
'Give over,' says Steve. 'Farnborough. Is there parking?'
'A car will come to your house. It'll drive you to the plane.'
'Wait a minute,' says Steve.
'I need you, Steve,' says Amy. 'Get the plane.'
'I'll have to mull it ov-'
'What would Debbie tell you to do?'
Steve knows exactly what Debbie would tell him to do. She's telling him right now. He feels sick.
But then he realizes there's another feeling too. One that he can't quite put his finger on. Surely not excitement? At being wanted? At being needed? At danger? No, he must just be in shock.
'Are there alligators?'
Steve hears Amy put this question to Rosie, who replies, 'God, yes, huge ones.'
If Steve does go to America, he's going to have to rearrange that shelf delivery. That'll be another half an hour on hold to the call centre. And there will be no bolognese.
And, worst of all, four murders. Or, given what he has just seen, maybe five?
'Steve, I need someone I can trust,' says Amy. She is quieter now. She knows that she has him. 'There are murders to be solved, and I can't do it by myself. It's you and me.'
'But we don't solve murders,' says Steve.
He can hear Amy smiling down the phone. 'Then we're going to have to start.'
ABOUT 'WE SOLVE MURDERS': A brand new series. An iconic new detective duo. And a puzzling new murder to solve...
Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life. He does the odd bit of investigation work, but he prefers his familiar habits and routines: the pub quiz, his favorite bench, his cat waiting for him when he comes home. His days of adventure are over: adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy鈥檚 business now.
Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. As a private security officer, she doesn鈥檛 stay still long enough for habits or routines. She鈥檚 currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio alive. Which was meant to be an easy job...
Then a dead body, a bag of money, and a killer with their sights on Amy have her sending an SOS to the only person she trusts. A breakneck race around the world begins, but can Amy and Steve stay one step ahead of a lethal enemy?
MY THOUGHTS: I had an absolutely super time reading We Solve Murders. If I wasn't reading it, which I did at every available opportunity, I was thinking about it. Not about solving the case, but about the wonderful characters, Osman's irrepressible sense of humor, and his ability to make the ridiculous feel sublime. I know of no other author who would put a retired, widowed ex-cop, his daughter-in-law who specializes in personal protection, an extremely wealthy best-selling author, and an assortment of criminals, including money launderers and hitmen, together and make it work! There's also a cat called Trouble, a pub quiz, and kale involved.
I didn't think Osman could better his Thursday Murder Club series, but he just may have with We Solve Murders. I am glad we are to get more of Amy, Rosie and Steve. I can't wait!
And if you haven't yet read a book by Richard Osman, do yourself a favor and pick one up.
猸愨瓙猸愨瓙猸�
#WeSolveMurders #WaitomoDistrictLibrary
THE AUTHOR: Richard Osman is an English television presenter, producer, director and novelist.
'Give over,' says Steve. 'Farnborough. Is there parking?'
'A car will come to your house. It'll drive you to the plane.'
'Wait a minute,' says Steve.
'I need you, Steve,' says Amy. 'Get the plane.'
'I'll have to mull it ov-'
'What would Debbie tell you to do?'
Steve knows exactly what Debbie would tell him to do. She's telling him right now. He feels sick.
But then he realizes there's another feeling too. One that he can't quite put his finger on. Surely not excitement? At being wanted? At being needed? At danger? No, he must just be in shock.
'Are there alligators?'
Steve hears Amy put this question to Rosie, who replies, 'God, yes, huge ones.'
If Steve does go to America, he's going to have to rearrange that shelf delivery. That'll be another half an hour on hold to the call centre. And there will be no bolognese.
And, worst of all, four murders. Or, given what he has just seen, maybe five?
'Steve, I need someone I can trust,' says Amy. She is quieter now. She knows that she has him. 'There are murders to be solved, and I can't do it by myself. It's you and me.'
'But we don't solve murders,' says Steve.
He can hear Amy smiling down the phone. 'Then we're going to have to start.'
ABOUT 'WE SOLVE MURDERS': A brand new series. An iconic new detective duo. And a puzzling new murder to solve...
Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life. He does the odd bit of investigation work, but he prefers his familiar habits and routines: the pub quiz, his favorite bench, his cat waiting for him when he comes home. His days of adventure are over: adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy鈥檚 business now.
Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. As a private security officer, she doesn鈥檛 stay still long enough for habits or routines. She鈥檚 currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D鈥橝ntonio alive. Which was meant to be an easy job...
Then a dead body, a bag of money, and a killer with their sights on Amy have her sending an SOS to the only person she trusts. A breakneck race around the world begins, but can Amy and Steve stay one step ahead of a lethal enemy?
MY THOUGHTS: I had an absolutely super time reading We Solve Murders. If I wasn't reading it, which I did at every available opportunity, I was thinking about it. Not about solving the case, but about the wonderful characters, Osman's irrepressible sense of humor, and his ability to make the ridiculous feel sublime. I know of no other author who would put a retired, widowed ex-cop, his daughter-in-law who specializes in personal protection, an extremely wealthy best-selling author, and an assortment of criminals, including money launderers and hitmen, together and make it work! There's also a cat called Trouble, a pub quiz, and kale involved.
I didn't think Osman could better his Thursday Murder Club series, but he just may have with We Solve Murders. I am glad we are to get more of Amy, Rosie and Steve. I can't wait!
And if you haven't yet read a book by Richard Osman, do yourself a favor and pick one up.
猸愨瓙猸愨瓙猸�
#WeSolveMurders #WaitomoDistrictLibrary
THE AUTHOR: Richard Osman is an English television presenter, producer, director and novelist.
October 30, 2024
|
Rating: 4 stars
'We Solve Murders' is a great start to another fun and entertaining series by Richard Osman, and I cannot wait for more!
Similar read: Zero Days by Ruth Ware
听
Cover:听馃専馃専馃専
This cover may be simple, but it neatly captures the genre of the story, and the pops of red make it stand out.
听
Writing:听馃専馃専馃専馃専
The simple, casual writing style is laced with subtle humour, which made for an easy and engaging read. I also loved the broad scope provided by the third-person, multiple points of view (POVs). However, some perspectives seemed unnecessary, and it would have been helpful to have some indication of the POV at the start of each chapter.
"You can't have the thrills of life without the pain of life"
Storyline:听馃専馃専馃専馃専
Despite a fairly unexciting start introducing the key characters, I was soon pulled in by the escalating danger and cleverly revealed mystery. Constant twists as the quirky characters raced around the world kept me fully invested in the unfolding investigation and guessing until the end.
听
Main character(s):听馃専馃専馃専馃専
With their contrasting personalities and heartwarming relationship, Amy and her father-in-law, Steve, make a fantastic duo to unravel the mystery. Amy, the muscles of the pair, seemed like a typical tough bodyguard, but there are hints of a rough backstory that I am curious about. In contrast, Steve, the brains of the duo, brings the savviness needed to crack the mystery. His grief and cravings for familiar habits also gave his character depth and relatability.听
"Anytime you feel your unhappiness turning into bitterness, you have to check yourself. You can live with unhappiness, but bitterness will kill."
Secondary characters:听馃専馃専馃専馃専
The diverse cast each had realistic and distinct traits that made them entertaining and enhanced the story. In particular, Rosie quickly became a favourite of mine due to her funny quirks and pivotal role in the story. Other characters turned out to be completely different from their initial portrayal, making them stand out.
听
Narration & Audio:听馃専馃専馃専馃専
Nicola Walker used character voices and accents to enhance this audiobook. While there were moments when her delivery felt a bit monotonous, overall, it was natural and filled with nuance, making for an enjoyable listening experience.
Rating: 4 stars
'We Solve Murders' is a great start to another fun and entertaining series by Richard Osman, and I cannot wait for more!
Similar read: Zero Days by Ruth Ware
听
Cover:听馃専馃専馃専
This cover may be simple, but it neatly captures the genre of the story, and the pops of red make it stand out.
听
Writing:听馃専馃専馃専馃専
The simple, casual writing style is laced with subtle humour, which made for an easy and engaging read. I also loved the broad scope provided by the third-person, multiple points of view (POVs). However, some perspectives seemed unnecessary, and it would have been helpful to have some indication of the POV at the start of each chapter.
"You can't have the thrills of life without the pain of life"
Storyline:听馃専馃専馃専馃専
Despite a fairly unexciting start introducing the key characters, I was soon pulled in by the escalating danger and cleverly revealed mystery. Constant twists as the quirky characters raced around the world kept me fully invested in the unfolding investigation and guessing until the end.
听
Main character(s):听馃専馃専馃専馃専
With their contrasting personalities and heartwarming relationship, Amy and her father-in-law, Steve, make a fantastic duo to unravel the mystery. Amy, the muscles of the pair, seemed like a typical tough bodyguard, but there are hints of a rough backstory that I am curious about. In contrast, Steve, the brains of the duo, brings the savviness needed to crack the mystery. His grief and cravings for familiar habits also gave his character depth and relatability.听
"Anytime you feel your unhappiness turning into bitterness, you have to check yourself. You can live with unhappiness, but bitterness will kill."
Secondary characters:听馃専馃専馃専馃専
The diverse cast each had realistic and distinct traits that made them entertaining and enhanced the story. In particular, Rosie quickly became a favourite of mine due to her funny quirks and pivotal role in the story. Other characters turned out to be completely different from their initial portrayal, making them stand out.
听
Narration & Audio:听馃専馃専馃専馃専
Nicola Walker used character voices and accents to enhance this audiobook. While there were moments when her delivery felt a bit monotonous, overall, it was natural and filled with nuance, making for an enjoyable listening experience.
October 9, 2024
The author introduces us to the first book in the We Solve Murders series complete with a whole new set of characters to love.
Our new friends are Amy, a private security officer, Steve, her retired father-in-law, and Rosie, a very famous author. An interesting team and a very entertaining one too. For most of the book Amy and Rosie are being pursued by hit men and the ways in which they escape are very imaginative.
Osman draws his characters so well and makes them so likeable that you wish you could be part of their group. His humor is superb and there are some really great moments. My favorite scene is the one in the radio station which had me laughing for ages.
By the end of the book I was very happy that this is the beginning of a series with much more from these characters to look forward to. As long as the author does not forget to give us more from the Thursday Murder Club as well.
Our new friends are Amy, a private security officer, Steve, her retired father-in-law, and Rosie, a very famous author. An interesting team and a very entertaining one too. For most of the book Amy and Rosie are being pursued by hit men and the ways in which they escape are very imaginative.
Osman draws his characters so well and makes them so likeable that you wish you could be part of their group. His humor is superb and there are some really great moments. My favorite scene is the one in the radio station which had me laughing for ages.
By the end of the book I was very happy that this is the beginning of a series with much more from these characters to look forward to. As long as the author does not forget to give us more from the Thursday Murder Club as well.
September 17, 2024
3.5 stars
'We Solve Murders' turned out to be an entertaining read but, if it had been written by an author I didn't know, I'd have been thinking about setting it aside after the first hour. The start of the book put me off. The situations felt forced, the humour was brittle in a wannabe Carl Haaisen way, the people felt shallow and their world felt plastic. I was not engaged.
Because this was a Richard Osman book and the start of a new series trying something more plot-driven than 'The Thursday Murder Club' novels, I stuck with it.
Things changed, slowly. By the end of the second hour, I'd been pulled into the story by Nicola Walker's narration and I was starting to become interested in Amy, the bodyguard, and Steve, her ex-police detective father-in-law but I was still struggling with a plot that, while clever, had all the charm of a fake Doric portico stuck onto the front of an 'Executive Home'.
In the third hour, I settled into the story, which I'd now understood was a sort of fairytale with slightly subversive humour that reminded me of David Lodge. I began to enjoy the way the heist-movie-slick plot and the glitzy settings were constantly being undercut by a type of English humour that sees bling as essentially childish, and by characters whose curiosity was of the kind that would find the service tunnels in Disneyland more interesting than the rides. The plot was generating an enjoyable 'root for the underdog' vibe but the character development was still patchy.
By the halfway point, I was being swept along by the clever, original, fast-paced plot which kept me entertained until the end.
One of the things that I've enjoyed most about Richard Osman's other books is how relatable and well-observed and real his characters are. I felt this was missing for the first half of the book. Perhaps this is because I don't know any international criminals or people who choose to work in the close personal protection business and becuase many of the settings were a long way from home.
By the end of the book,, I had become engaged with most of the main characters. I thought that Steve, the widowed ex-police officer and Rosie, the top-selling thriller writer were well-drawn and easy to engage with. Amy, the bodyguard was a little different. Her character felt functional rather than engaging, like a knife or a gun or a good piece of code. Still, the three of them together had an attractive dynamic.
The humour lifts the book and often made me smile but it was the small moments of intimacy that I liked most, especially those grounded in Steve's New Forest village.
I'd like to see what Steve, Amy and Rosie do next, so I'll be back for the next 'We Solve Murders' novel.
'We Solve Murders' turned out to be an entertaining read but, if it had been written by an author I didn't know, I'd have been thinking about setting it aside after the first hour. The start of the book put me off. The situations felt forced, the humour was brittle in a wannabe Carl Haaisen way, the people felt shallow and their world felt plastic. I was not engaged.
Because this was a Richard Osman book and the start of a new series trying something more plot-driven than 'The Thursday Murder Club' novels, I stuck with it.
Things changed, slowly. By the end of the second hour, I'd been pulled into the story by Nicola Walker's narration and I was starting to become interested in Amy, the bodyguard, and Steve, her ex-police detective father-in-law but I was still struggling with a plot that, while clever, had all the charm of a fake Doric portico stuck onto the front of an 'Executive Home'.
In the third hour, I settled into the story, which I'd now understood was a sort of fairytale with slightly subversive humour that reminded me of David Lodge. I began to enjoy the way the heist-movie-slick plot and the glitzy settings were constantly being undercut by a type of English humour that sees bling as essentially childish, and by characters whose curiosity was of the kind that would find the service tunnels in Disneyland more interesting than the rides. The plot was generating an enjoyable 'root for the underdog' vibe but the character development was still patchy.
By the halfway point, I was being swept along by the clever, original, fast-paced plot which kept me entertained until the end.
One of the things that I've enjoyed most about Richard Osman's other books is how relatable and well-observed and real his characters are. I felt this was missing for the first half of the book. Perhaps this is because I don't know any international criminals or people who choose to work in the close personal protection business and becuase many of the settings were a long way from home.
By the end of the book,, I had become engaged with most of the main characters. I thought that Steve, the widowed ex-police officer and Rosie, the top-selling thriller writer were well-drawn and easy to engage with. Amy, the bodyguard was a little different. Her character felt functional rather than engaging, like a knife or a gun or a good piece of code. Still, the three of them together had an attractive dynamic.
The humour lifts the book and often made me smile but it was the small moments of intimacy that I liked most, especially those grounded in Steve's New Forest village.
I'd like to see what Steve, Amy and Rosie do next, so I'll be back for the next 'We Solve Murders' novel.
September 19, 2024
I know it says 5 馃専 but I鈥檓 giving it 4.75 馃専 that鈥檚 because I didn鈥檛 want it to finish!!!
I LOVED LOVED this book, thankyou Richard, it was funny, exciting and I just fell into this world.
New characters (Amy , Steve and Rosie) and others , Rosie has to be my favourite character she was just great made me smile with every sentence,just waiting to see what she鈥檚 going to do or say next.
I鈥檓 not going to tell you the story of the book as I so want people to read this and figure out for themselves, so might love some might love that鈥檚 books and life.
We think Thursday murder club has finished鈥� but has it!!!
Obviously this is a new branch of Richard Osman to go down, he now has 2 Avenues.
Now it goes to waiting around for the next one鈥� next year?
I hope so. 馃
WHAT NEXT! ?
I LOVED LOVED this book, thankyou Richard, it was funny, exciting and I just fell into this world.
New characters (Amy , Steve and Rosie) and others , Rosie has to be my favourite character she was just great made me smile with every sentence,just waiting to see what she鈥檚 going to do or say next.
I鈥檓 not going to tell you the story of the book as I so want people to read this and figure out for themselves, so might love some might love that鈥檚 books and life.
We think Thursday murder club has finished鈥� but has it!!!
Obviously this is a new branch of Richard Osman to go down, he now has 2 Avenues.
Now it goes to waiting around for the next one鈥� next year?
I hope so. 馃
WHAT NEXT! ?
September 21, 2024
I adored Osman's Thursday Murder Club series, though it has recently occurred to me that I can't remember a single crime those four "detectives" solved. All that mattered to me was the camaraderie between the friends and their witty repartee. I was hoping the author could capture the same magic with a different set of characters, and he mostly has, particularly with Steve, a retired detective who just wants to stay home, have conversations with his late wife, and head down to the pub for quiz night. Suddenly, like Bilbo Baggins, he has adventure thrust upon him by his beloved daughter-in-law who needs help discovering just who's trying to kill her . . . and why.
This was pure fun, and proves to be a fine start to a new series. The snappy dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and lovable characters that made his first four books so enjoyable are there. Don't worry - Osman promises in the afterward that he'll be returning to his Thursday folk with the next book. It seems the man can do no wrong.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the read.
This was pure fun, and proves to be a fine start to a new series. The snappy dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and lovable characters that made his first four books so enjoyable are there. Don't worry - Osman promises in the afterward that he'll be returning to his Thursday folk with the next book. It seems the man can do no wrong.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the read.
January 2, 2025
3.5 rounded up rather reluctantly, at least for now. Going to reflect 鈥�
When you cut out all the waffle (there鈥檚 a lot of filler), the gazillion characters and more twists than Lombard Street, there鈥檚 a decent story in there. Hope he cuts to the chase in the next one. Will I read it??? Right now, not sure.
When you cut out all the waffle (there鈥檚 a lot of filler), the gazillion characters and more twists than Lombard Street, there鈥檚 a decent story in there. Hope he cuts to the chase in the next one. Will I read it??? Right now, not sure.
October 3, 2024
DONE! 馃槷鈥嶐煉� that was a wild ride鈥�
馃専馃専馃専馃専
First of all, full disclosure: I love Richard Osman and ALL of the previous books he has written. With that being said, let鈥檚 get into the review for the first book in this brand new series鈥�
Wow, did this book start off with a BANG 馃挜 Andrew Fairbanks - found dead; short in the head, tied to a rope and thrown overboard from a yacht into the Atlantic. The questions were mounting鈥ho killed him? Why did they kill him?
A new detective duo were recruited in this shocking series of murders. Across the world, no less. Solving murders was ran in the family and Steve and Amy Wheeler had a thrilling around the world case waiting for them鈥ould they outrun the killer? We were about to find out! Amy was a moving target but how long could she keep moving for before it was game over 馃樀
Steve鈥檚 daughter-in-law Amy is an employee of Maximum Impact Solutions; the world鈥檚 biggest close-protection agency. Currently: Rosie D鈥橝ntonio, the world鈥檚 bestselling novelist, is her client. Hiding out in a private island off the coast of South Carolina - it couldn鈥檛 be more different than Steve鈥檚 quaint English town.
Steve however was quite happy to fill his days with TV, pub quizzes and a cuddly cat called Trouble - 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 have the thrills of life without the pain of life, so Steve has decided to go without the thrills.鈥� - but Amy has other plans and seen as Steve is one of the only people Amy truly trusts, when she needs back up, he is first on the list鈥�
Amy: 鈥淭here are murders to be solved, and I can鈥檛 do it by myself. It鈥檚 you and me.鈥濃€�
Steve: 鈥淏ut we don鈥檛 solve murders鈥濃€�
Amy: 鈥渢hen we鈥檙e going to have to start.鈥�
However, Amy couldn鈥檛 be more different鈥he lives for her 鈥榦ld friend鈥� adrenaline鈥�
The characterisation was second to none, particularly that of the new detectives; we very quickly got a real feel for their characters and I loved the Father-Daughter in-law relationship. It added a personal and more grounded feel to this thriller. And speaking of thrillers, this one spared nothing. It really was a thriller in the true sense of the world. Even more so than the Thursday Murder Club. I also love how the characters used such simple, yet effective, techniques of hunting down the killers. Ingenious!
What stopped this from being a 5 star read? Personally, I felt there were too many characters; more than necessary to portray the storyline. I would also have liked to have seen/heard more about Adam - Amy鈥檚 husband and Steve鈥檚 son. It was over half way through before we really heard much more than a few words about him. Maybe he will play a bigger part in books to come鈥nd finally, while I absolutely loved this book but I do have to say I missed the Thursday Murder Club gang - particularly, Joyce.
I am highly impressed by the complexities that went into creating such a fantastic plot and I am looking forward to reading more from this new detective duo, however, it wouldn鈥檛 hurt to throw in a little glimpse of some of the Thursday Murder Club gang 馃槈
鈥淚f I can give you some advice from one prison cell to another, it is this. No regrets. We live our lives forwards, not backwards. So always make the best of once in front of you.鈥�
馃専馃専馃専馃専
馃専馃専馃専馃専
First of all, full disclosure: I love Richard Osman and ALL of the previous books he has written. With that being said, let鈥檚 get into the review for the first book in this brand new series鈥�
Wow, did this book start off with a BANG 馃挜 Andrew Fairbanks - found dead; short in the head, tied to a rope and thrown overboard from a yacht into the Atlantic. The questions were mounting鈥ho killed him? Why did they kill him?
A new detective duo were recruited in this shocking series of murders. Across the world, no less. Solving murders was ran in the family and Steve and Amy Wheeler had a thrilling around the world case waiting for them鈥ould they outrun the killer? We were about to find out! Amy was a moving target but how long could she keep moving for before it was game over 馃樀
Steve鈥檚 daughter-in-law Amy is an employee of Maximum Impact Solutions; the world鈥檚 biggest close-protection agency. Currently: Rosie D鈥橝ntonio, the world鈥檚 bestselling novelist, is her client. Hiding out in a private island off the coast of South Carolina - it couldn鈥檛 be more different than Steve鈥檚 quaint English town.
Steve however was quite happy to fill his days with TV, pub quizzes and a cuddly cat called Trouble - 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 have the thrills of life without the pain of life, so Steve has decided to go without the thrills.鈥� - but Amy has other plans and seen as Steve is one of the only people Amy truly trusts, when she needs back up, he is first on the list鈥�
Amy: 鈥淭here are murders to be solved, and I can鈥檛 do it by myself. It鈥檚 you and me.鈥濃€�
Steve: 鈥淏ut we don鈥檛 solve murders鈥濃€�
Amy: 鈥渢hen we鈥檙e going to have to start.鈥�
However, Amy couldn鈥檛 be more different鈥he lives for her 鈥榦ld friend鈥� adrenaline鈥�
The characterisation was second to none, particularly that of the new detectives; we very quickly got a real feel for their characters and I loved the Father-Daughter in-law relationship. It added a personal and more grounded feel to this thriller. And speaking of thrillers, this one spared nothing. It really was a thriller in the true sense of the world. Even more so than the Thursday Murder Club. I also love how the characters used such simple, yet effective, techniques of hunting down the killers. Ingenious!
What stopped this from being a 5 star read? Personally, I felt there were too many characters; more than necessary to portray the storyline. I would also have liked to have seen/heard more about Adam - Amy鈥檚 husband and Steve鈥檚 son. It was over half way through before we really heard much more than a few words about him. Maybe he will play a bigger part in books to come鈥nd finally, while I absolutely loved this book but I do have to say I missed the Thursday Murder Club gang - particularly, Joyce.
I am highly impressed by the complexities that went into creating such a fantastic plot and I am looking forward to reading more from this new detective duo, however, it wouldn鈥檛 hurt to throw in a little glimpse of some of the Thursday Murder Club gang 馃槈
鈥淚f I can give you some advice from one prison cell to another, it is this. No regrets. We live our lives forwards, not backwards. So always make the best of once in front of you.鈥�
馃専馃専馃専馃専
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