Review of The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club #2) by Richard Osman

Book two of the series sees our septuagenarian characters each trekking their own paths while working cooperatively to solve a new mystery. They show vulnerability and strength, use their instincts and smarts to outsmart criminals, and grow. I laughed while listening to this one; Osman's series has me hooked.

Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are septuagenarians feeling let down after the thrills, danger, and success of their first solved mystery (related in The Thursday Murder Club).

But things start getting interesting when a piece of Elizabeth's past is illuminated. Her ex-husband shows up, under the protection of fellow MI-5 spies, suspected of having stolen 20 million dollars' worth of diamonds and professing to still be in love with her. And someone has it in for him, which means danger for all.

Not everyone is who they seem, and someone the group trust's may have let greed and deception compromise everything.

I love that Elizabeth and the crew each have somewhat of their own individual paths in this installment, yet work cooperatively as in book one. Ibrahim turns inward and needs his friends to push him back to full form; Ron soars as he playacts and explores his tough-guy tendencies; and Joyce is more self-assured and independent than ever. Meanwhile, Elizabeth almost outsmarts herself as she explores who is not who they say they are, considers others' various layered motivations, works creative angles, and helps set up a grand finale.

The group's friendship with local police officers continues, and the officers' private lives are beefier in this book as well (I liked the peek into their private lives and potential love interests). Meanwhile, Bogdan continues to steal the show character-wise with his gruff kindness to and friendship with the crowd and particularly Stephen, who has dementia; his handyman prowess and ability to get done anything needed; his unshakeable demeanor; and his complete loyalty.

The main protagonists' tendencies and personalities have room to shine in book two of the Thursday Murder Club series, and Osman allows for vulnerabilities and also moments where the characters come into their own.

Osman writes older characters with grace, not relying on archetypes but serving up poignancy, dialogue that made me laugh, and grand adventure that keeps his protagonists inspired and engaged.

I listened to The Man Who Died Twice as a library audiobook.

More about This Series

Richard Osman is an author and also a producer and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club is a five-book series, and there's a film based on the first book.

For my review of the first book in this series, The Thursday Murder Club, please check click this link.