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Allow me to introduce you to the Thursday Murder Club members who all live in Coopers Chase Retirement Village in Kent. There’s Elizabeth who has a very mysterious and intriguing past, then there’s Joyce an ex-nurse, firebrand Red Ron Richie scourge of whatever needs scourging and Ibrahim Arif a retired psychiatrist. Now if you think because they live in a retirement village they are past it, let me disillusion you here and now. They’re sharper than the sharpest tacks especially Elizabeth. They cleverly rope PC Donna De Freitas into their coterie and before you know it DCI Chris Hudson is entangled too. They are investigating the murder of Tony Curran who owned 25% of Coopers Chase, the remainder by Ian Ventham who is well named as he often does vent. So far so good, except of course it is never that simple ..... what unfolds is a tale of dark deeds some of which are well buried. The story is told from the perspectives of most of the protagonists and interspersed with Joyce’s highly entertaining journal.

Well that was far from Pointless Mr Osman. Sorry, couldn’t resist and I’ll bet he’s never heard that one before. You can tell from the TV show that the author is one smart cookie and he’s a smart cookie who can write too. Rather well. The plot is fast paced, keeps you guessing as it’s got many a twist along the way, sometimes convoluted so you have to keep up but it’s very clever. The best thing about the book is the characters. They are simply fantastic, there is never a dull moment when the club members are about and Donna and Chris are terrific characters too. I must also mention Polish builder Bogdan too - phlegmatic and enigmatic, still waters run very deep there. It’s funny, darkly droll or wry, it’s witty, the style is very lively, it intrigues from start to finish and so is a very entertaining book. I love the TV references, some of from a while ago. Juliet Bravo, that certainly takes me back!

Overall, what a wonderful amusing read and I applaud the author for making the lead characters of retirement age and proving to be such good company as the story unfolds. Highly recommended as it’s just that little bit different.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books UK/Viking for the ARC