The Bullet That Missed: The third novel in the multi-million copy bestselling murder mystery series: 3 (The Thursday Murder Club, 3) Paperback – 11 May 2023

Richard, please hurry up and do number 4, as I can’t wait! I have devoured 1, 2 and now 3 and loved all of them. I think it is the characters you really get behind them and in number 3 we meet some new ones, who are equally as captivating and I doubt we have heard the last of them, also hope we get some clarity in book 4, as intrigued about Connie and what will happen to her going forward and even to find out what happens to the chief inspector and can Elizabeth and Viktor please take the trip to Dubai, they have to follow up.The characters all mesh together and create a page turning story. Humorous, interesting and some of it is very sad, you start to see deterioration of health for one and the realisation from some that they will not live forever. Joyce has some very good lines about living for today, as you might not be here tomorrow, so do the things you want to now before it is too late.Alan is a dark horse, well actually he’s a dog, but he is a highly intelligent dog and he reminds me of the dog from another book I’ve read this year, lessons in chemistry (try it couldn’t put it down.) dogs with their own minds and thoughts, which is now I like to think they are in real life as well.There is a good plot throughout the book and it sweeps you in, which is why I read it cover to cover in 3 sittings. Although you could read this as a stand alone, I would highly recommend that you don’t as otherwise you will miss out on the back history of the characters, which Richard has built in the previous 2 books.I love a good murder, not undertaking one personally, that would be against the law folks, but true crime, fiction, you name it, I love it and these books are some of the best I’ve read and if I can find a retirement complex that has it’s own murder club when I am a bit older, i’m in, put my name down at once. Tell my son please, in case I can’t decide myself, I only want a complex with a weekly murder club, not knitting or conversational French, murder.These books show so much of people’s nature, a theme throughout for me is Chris and Donna’s tolerance of what could be seen as interfering old people, putting their noses in where the police should be only. I also love Bogden who really grows as a character in number 3 and how he is with Stephen is how you hope others would be when confronted with a gentleman in decline. He has such a good heart and something really good happens for him in this novel. No spoilers, but it will make you take a deep sigh and say “you deserve this mate.”In this one there is television involved, so the author can talk about that I imagine without much research given his day job and I loved the line that the make up room is where you can catch up on all the gossip, as I imagine that is a fact.I recently read a book that was compared to these books, big splash on the advert about if you enjoyed Richard’s books, you’ll enjoy these. No, they were terrible, also I love Rev Richard Cole’s and they have compared his first novel to these, again, I read it based on that, again was so disappointed. Nothing compares to these (are you all humming the tune now, sorry,) they are brilliant, buy them, read them and I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Fantastic! So funny, so engaging & so easy to read. At the same time there’s real murder / intrigue to be solved.It’s like “The Famous 5” for us grown olds!! We don’t have to be boring & hide from excitement just because we’ve got a little older than most!!!!!The bullet may have missed but the story didn’t.

I do like this series. No idea why it has taken me so long to read book three, but I have now and I am definitely looking forward to the next instalment. With The Thursday Murder Club, Richard Osman has created such a brilliant set of characters, all with their own distinct personalities, quirks and reasons to make me smile, and I can see why people have really taken them to their hearts.In this The Bullet That Missed, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim set out to discover what happened to young reporter, Bethany Waites, who disappeared without a trace, much like the money from the fraud case she was investigating. Her car was found having been driven off a cliff, but her body was never recovered, assumed lost to the sea. But was it murder or suicide, and if murder, who had cause to kill her? Add to this a threatening Swede and a demand that Elizabeth murder a former acquaintance to save the lives of those she loves, and this proves to be one heck of a ride for our favourite retirees once again.There are two things that I love about these books - the mystery and the characters. Mystery wise, Richard Osman leads his characters into a world he knows quite well - Television - and the case surrounding the missing Bethany leads the foursome into many a witty a situation, meeting a whole host of celebrities and technical staff along the way. We start with Ron about to make an appearance on South East Tonight, alongside famed presenter and friend of Bethany, Mike Waghorn. He's there to tell the story of the now infamous Thursday Murder Club, and, whilst there, the four get drawn into investigating Bethany's disappearance. The set up works perfectly, and the role of investigative journalist means that the sense of peril is implicit, and the reason for fearing the worst for bethany quite clear. It's an intruiging case of money laundering, and the more the team investigate, the more perplexing it becomes, with key witnesses ending up dead. Bit of an issue, but not an insurmountable one for the intrepid foursome.As for characters - well who wouldn't love Elizabeth and co? They have been instilled with the perfect blend of determination, humour, mood swings and deadpan delivery that just make the dialogue sing. Elizabeth, a former spy, has all the tricks up her sleeve. Ron, perhaps the grumpiest of the four, finds a new lease of life, and a spot of romance too which puts a spring in his step - at least figuratively. Ibrahim, ever ordered and regimented, sits as the figure of common sense amongst the friends. But it is Joyce who I perhaps love the most. She is at her very best this time around, taking everything in her stride, as always, even when faced with celebrities she adores, and the real threat of being murdered if Elizabeth fails in her side mission. She is just so perfect, easy to underestimate and the real dead pan, almost too innocent delivery of some of her lines, the unintended humour that she brings forth, never fails to amuse.And the wider cast of characters, from series regulars, police officers, PC Donna De Freitas and DCi Chris Hudson, to Bogdan, the sometime companion to Elizabeth's husband, Stephen, through to newcomers, Mike and Pauline, makeup artist to the stars and love interest for Ron, they each add something special to the story. There isn't a wasted line or interaction in this book at all. Add in a self-published crime writing Chief Constable, Andrew Everton, and two money laundering gangsters in Viktor and 'The Viking', and we have a real variety of characters who lend various moments of wit and menace. I love the back and forth between Viktor and Elizabeth, and the scene between The Viking and Joyce was so innocently delivered it was pure magic. Brought a real smile, as do all the asides where Joyce provides a first person narrative to be fair, as pitch perfect in this book as any that come before.The conclusion to this book is a touch surprising, but quite fitting all things considered. There are moments throughout that are tinged with sadness, and not just due to the lament of Mike Waghorn over the loss of his friend and colleague, Bethany, There are poignant moments between Bogdan and Stephen which mark the passing of time and act as a reminder that our beloved characters are well past the first flush of youth, perhaps steering us towards an almost inevitable conclusion. But it is the laugher, not the tears, that will be well remembered from this book and I am looking forward to reading book four, although with perhaps a little trepidation.If you have read either of the first two books in the series, this is an absolute treat. If you have not yet started, and you enjoy a slightly cosier crime story with brilliant characters, and a dry and yet perfectly balanced humour, you really do need to get reading. You're missing out on a real treat.

Can't get enough of these books. Well written, funny, witty and full of surprises. Have now bought the 4th one. Plus, no mistakes or typos. Other authors take note.

To be honest, I started reading the first book in the series, "The Thursday Murder Club", due to all the hype surrounding the film about to be released. That book was fun, but a little bit slow-paced..... 😉 However it was just interesting enough to make me push on and read the second one - which was so much better and lots more fun! I felt the author really got into his game in that one - and into his rhythm. Now I have just finished this third book in the series - and it just keeps getting better and better! I love the sneaky cleverness of each of the characters - and the almost matter of fact way they have of discussing murder!! 😁 Elizabeth reminds me of the Helen Mirren character in the movie "Red" - and I loved those two movies! There are some sad moments, some poignant moments - and some LOL moments!! A total delight!! Can't wait to get into the next book in the series!!!

Just re-reading these books whilst waiting for the latest to be released. I'd forgotten just how funny they are, whilst also being genuinely great thrillers. A very unusual combination! The Bullet that Missed is worth buying alone for the chapter where Ron has to (very reluctantly) go for a couple's massage with his new girlfriend. Very very funny. Looking forward to the new one, already pre-ordered