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KODAMA / MYSTERY 2026
Mystery · Investigation

The Thursday Murder Club

by Richard Osman

A charming and sharp mystery following four clever retirees who turn unsolved cold cases into their weekly hobby, until a real murder lands on their doorstep.

Author Richard Osman
Publication 2020
Country United Kingdom
Original Publisher Viking
Full Title The Thursday Murder Club
Type Cozy Crime Mystery
A celebration of wit, friendship, and deduction. Kent, England · 2020
KODAMA ARCHIVE MYSTERY
01
About the book

Four retirees, tea, and an active murder case.

In a peaceful retirement village in Kent, four unlikely friends meet every Thursday in the Jigsaw Room to investigate unsolved crimes. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron might be in their seventies, but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

When a local property developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly finds themselves in the middle of their first live case. Can our gang catch the killer before it’s too late?

Atmospheric background representing The Thursday Murder Club.
“
In life you have to accept the counting down of the clock, but you don't have to let it dictate your pace.
KODAMA / EDITORIAL NOTE
The author 1970 — PRESENT

Richard Osman

Richard Osman is an English television presenter, producer, novelist, and comedian. He gained wide popularity as the co-creator and co-host of the BBC television quiz show Pointless.

With The Thursday Murder Club, Osman launched his debut novel and created a record-breaking publishing sensation, bringing British warmth, humor, and clever plotting to the forefront of modern cozy mysteries.

ABOUT RICHARD OSMAN

Creator of the international bestseller Thursday Murder Club series.

Archive

A few things that make the book even more intriguing.

01

Record-breaking debut.

The novel became one of the fastest-selling hardback debuts in British publishing history, becoming a massive global bestseller.

02

Inspired by a real retirement village.

Osman came up with the idea after visiting an extraordinary retirement community in Sussex and being fascinated by the residents' rich life stories.

03

Secret writing process.

He wrote the entire novel in complete secrecy, only showing it to publishers once the full manuscript was completed.

04

Star-studded film adaptation.

Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment optioned the movie rights, leading to a film adaptation featuring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie.

On screen

When the book became visual.

The beloved story is coming to cinema screens under Amblin Entertainment.

IN PROD

The Thursday Murder Club (Film)

Directed by Chris Columbus and produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, starring an iconic ensemble cast.

Watch

Book review & analysis.

An in-depth review and narrative discussion of Richard Osman's delightful mystery phenomenon.

ARCHIVE FILM Richard Osman · The Thursday Murder Club · 2020
Warm atmospheric background evoking The Thursday Murder Club.
Legacy

More than a story about old age.

The Thursday Murder Club revitalized the cozy mystery genre for a new generation by treating its elderly protagonists with dignity, sharp humor, and emotional depth, proving that curiosity and adventure have no age limit.

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