Richard Osman Books in Order: The Complete Thursday Murder Club & We Solve Murders Guide

Hey fellow mystery lovers! If you appreciate clever plotting, warm British humor, eccentric and deeply lovable characters, and cozy whodunits that leave you grinning, Richard Osman is an author who deserves a top spot on your reading list. He effortlessly bridges the gap between classic Agatha Christie-style puzzle mysteries and modern, emotionally rich character studies.

Whether you are stepping into the tranquil gardens of Cooper’s Chase or jet-setting around the globe to catch international criminals, here is your complete, detailed reading guide to every Richard Osman book in perfect order.

1. The Thursday Murder Club Series

Set in the peaceful, upscale retirement village of Cooper’s Chase in Kent, England, this series follows four unlikely friends—a former spy, an ex-union activist, a retired psychiatrist, and an ex-nurse—who meet every Thursday in the Jigsaw Room to investigate unsolved cold cases. When real-life murders happen on their doorstep, the quartet steps up to solve them.

(Note: While each novel features a standalone murder mystery, the personal lives, health, romances, and grief of the core four characters evolve significantly from book to book. Reading sequentially is strongly recommended.)

1. The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
   In a quiet retirement village, four retirees—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron—meet weekly to discuss cold cases. When a local property developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left beside his body, the group gets its very first live murder case, putting their unconventional skills to the ultimate test.
2. The Man Who Died Twice (2021)
   Elizabeth receives a letter from an old flame—a fellow ex-spy—who has made a big mistake: he has stolen millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds from the wrong people. As dangerous mobsters, MI5, and international killers close in, the Thursday Murder Club steps in to keep him alive and locate the hidden fortune.
3. The Bullet That Missed (2022)
   The gang tackles a decade-old cold case involving a local news anchor whose body was never found. The investigation leads them to a shadowy ex-KGB agent, a cryptocurrency mogul, and a lethal threat that forces Elizabeth to make an impossible choice: kill a target or risk losing someone she loves.
4. The Last Devil to Die (2023)
   Shock waves ripple through Cooper’s Chase when an old friend of the group is murdered right before Christmas, and a valuable package containing a fortune in illegal narcotics vanishes. The gang faces art forgers, online fraudsters, and ruthless drug lords, all while navigating personal heartbreaks and life changes.
5. Untitled Thursday Murder Club #5 (Expected 2025/2026)
   The highly anticipated fifth installment brings Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron back together for another witty, high-stakes mystery filled with warm fellowship and clever twists.

2. The We Solve Murders Series

Osman’s second major mystery series expands the scope from cozy English retirement villages to a fast-paced, high-octane global adventure. It stars an unlikely sleuthing duo: Steve Wheeler, a retired police officer who prefers his quiet routine in a small village, and Amy Wheeler, his adrenaline-seeking daughter-in-law who works as a private security bodyguard for the world’s elite.

1. We Solve Murders (2024)
   Steve Wheeler loves his peaceful life in the countryside, his pub quizzes, and his predictable routine. His daughter-in-law, Amy, lives on the edge, protecting ultra-wealthy clients worldwide. When a high-profile influencer client is targeted and bodies start dropping across different continents, Amy calls the one person she trusts most—Steve. Together, the duo goes on a wild, multi-country chase to catch a killer before they become the next targets.
2. Untitled We Solve Murders #2 (Expected 2026)
   The second installment follows Steve and Amy as they take on another international case, blending Steve’s methodical police instincts with Amy’s high-stakes tactical training.

3. Non-Fiction & Quiz Books

Before launching his fiction career, Richard Osman co-authored several popular trivia and puzzle books based on his hit BBC television show, Pointless.

• 100 Most Pointless Things in the World (2012) (with Alexander Armstrong)
• The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World (2013) (with Alexander Armstrong)
• The Very Pointless Quiz Book (2014) (with Alexander Armstrong)
• The A-Z of Pointless (2015) (with Alexander Armstrong)
• A Pointless History of the World (2016) (with Alexander Armstrong)
• The World Cup Of Everything (2017) — A funny, competitive deep-dive into ranking life’s everyday choices, from crisps and chocolate to sitcoms and Christmas songs.
• Richard Osman’s House of Games (2019) (with Alan Connor) — A book packed with brainteasers, word puzzles, and trivia challenges based on the hit TV show.

Detailed Reading Guide: Choosing Your Entry Point

With two distinct mystery series and several non-fiction books, picking where to start depends on what flavor of mystery you are looking for. Here is a detailed breakdown of how to approach Richard Osman’s work based on your reading preferences:

Option A: The Iconic Cozy British Mystery Route (The Thursday Murder Club)

• Best For: Readers who love character-driven stories, witty banter, Agatha Christie-style cozy mysteries, and poignant reflections on aging, friendship, and love.
• Where to Start: Begin directly with The Thursday Murder Club (2020).
• Why This Order Matters: The character development in this series is extraordinary. Watching Elizabeth’s sharp espionage mind, Joyce’s deceptively sweet diary entries, Ibrahim’s compassionate psychological insights, and Ron’s fierce trade-union loyalty clash and blend is the heart of the books. Furthermore, emotional subplots—such as Elizabeth dealing with her husband’s dementia—progress realistically in real time. Skipping ahead will rob you of the deep emotional payoff built across the books.

Option B: The High-Octane Globetrotting Thriller Route (We Solve Murders)

• Best For: Readers who prefer faster pacing, international settings, private security action, and a fun generational dynamic between a father-in-law and daughter-in-law.
• Where to Start: Begin with We Solve Murders (2024).
• Why This Order Matters: This series serves as a fresh slate. You do not need to have read a single page of The Thursday Murder Club to enjoy it. It trades the quiet lanes of Kent for private jets, luxury yachts, and international intrigue, offering a more kinetic, action-mystery hybrid while preserving Osman’s trademark humor.

Option C: The Screen-to-Page Route (The Film Adaptation)

• Best For: Readers jumping into the books after hearing about the star-studded Hollywood movie adaptation.
• Where to Start: Read The Thursday Murder Club before watching the film.
• Why This Order Matters: With a legendary cast bringing these characters to life on screen (including Helen Mirren as Elizabeth, Pierce Brosnan as Ron, Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim, and Celia Imrie as Joyce), reading the original novel first lets you appreciate Osman’s subtle interior monologues—especially Joyce’s hilarious and touching diary entries—which are central to the story’s charm.

About the Author

Richard Osman is a hugely popular English television presenter, producer, comedian, and novelist. Before becoming a literary sensation, he was best known as the creator and co-host of the beloved BBC quiz show Pointless, as well as hosting Richard Osman’s House of Games.

In 2020, Osman made his fiction debut with The Thursday Murder Club. It became an instant global phenomenon, breaking sales records worldwide, spending months atop bestseller lists, and sparking a major Hollywood film adaptation produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. Osman’s writing stands out for its unique blend of sharp intelligence, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and genuine empathy for older adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read The Thursday Murder Club books in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended. While the mystery in each book gets resolved by the end, the character relationships, romantic developments, health struggles, and personal losses continue sequentially. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers for earlier character arcs.

Are The Thursday Murder Club and We Solve Murders in the same universe?

They are separate series with different casts of characters, but they share Richard Osman’s signature writing style, quick wit, and keen eye for human eccentricities. While no major crossover has occurred yet, both series exist within his charming vision of contemporary crime fiction.

Who are the four main characters in The Thursday Murder Club?

The group consists of:

• Elizabeth Best: A formidable, highly resourceful former MI6 operative who leads the investigations.
• Joyce Meadowcroft: A kind, observant former nurse whose sweet demeanor hides a sharp, pragmatic mind (and who serves as the reader’s primary narrator through her diary entries).
• Ibrahim Youssef: A dignified, highly analytical retired psychiatrist who keeps the team grounded.
• Ron Ritchie: A fiery, famous former trade union leader who provides muscle, passion, and straight-shooting honesty.

What makes Richard Osman’s mystery novels unique?

Unlike many traditional crime thrillers that focus heavily on gore or dark police procedurals, Osman combines genuine whodunit puzzles with humor and warmth. He treats older characters with dignity, wit, and vitality, proving that life, adventure, and romance don’t end at retirement.

Final Verdict

Richard Osman has quickly cemented his place as one of the modern masters of British mystery fiction. He manages to create stories that are genuinely funny, cleverly plotted, and deeply moving all at once.

If you want a cozy, heart-warming, and funny mystery set in the English countryside, start with The Thursday Murder Club. If you want an international adventure filled with private security, jet-setting, and clever detective work, grab We Solve Murders. Either way, you are in for a thoroughly entertaining read!

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.