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Every once in a while... there's just the perfect book.

Characters: ★★★★�
Clever, witty writing: ★★★★�
Plot/Pacing: ★★★★�

Have you at any point in your life enjoyed a British murder mystery TV show?? If you answer any version of a yes—be it a cozy, a classic, or a modern noir—then you need to pick up this book.

This book is the clever, witty, and poignant literary version of all of our favorite British cozy television shows, mixed with the serious edges of the darker dramas for a little flavor. The Thursday Murder Club is hyped for a reason. And I'm now fully on board!

In the retirement village of Coopers Chase, four unlikely acquaintances meet once a week. They're not friends, they're quick to tell you that, but they are bound by their club and their unique set of skills and interests. They're the Thursday Murder Club—named because they meet on Thursdays when the Jigsaw Room is available (and they meet under the guise of their false name, Japanese Opera: A Discussion, to discourage random visitors). They discuss cold cases and solve them to their satisfaction, even if it doesn't lead to actual solves via the police. They just want to know the answers (and they usually find them out.)

In their group, they have: A former unmentionable woman who knows everyone and everything and has never shared her former occupation. A psychologist with a knack for details and procedures and an unwavering methodical approach to the human mind. A nurse who fits in everywhere, knows seemingly everything, and flies under everyone's radar. And a former bruiser, a rabble-rouser who stirred up every political and social corner he could and knows exactly how to get people to react how he wants.

When someone actually dies in Coopers Chase, and its someone the Club knows, they are excited. Can this be a bona fide murder, fresh off the press, that they can force their way into? Yes, yes it is.

Nobody pays attention to the devious intelligence of focused elderly people. And they know it.

It's time to solve some real murders...

Did I LOVE this, or did I LOVE this? Both options are the same because I LOVED this story. I have no negatives, no complaints, no wishes for adjustments to future books in the series. I loved all of the characters, I loved the witty writing. I loved how nuanced the plot lines were and how the series of reveals actually did trip me on its way to the end. (I bet you'll think you've solved it at least three times before the end of the novel... and I bet you'll be surprised and have to reevaluate your guess(es) at least once.)

The only, ONLY caveat I have about this book is the cover. I didn't pick up this book for wayyy too long because I hated the look of this cover and refused to learn about the plot. The cover reminded me very directly of The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (which I passionately hate) and I remain confused as to why this cover so clearly mimics that one. It's an odd choice, and so I eagerly await any potential re-dos of the design in years to come. This book is leagues better than that one and does not deserve to be overshadowed in design.

Read it!!

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