THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB BY Richard Osman

Is it possible for a murder mystery to also be a delightful read without coming across as resoundingly ghoulish? It sure is, if it's The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

Picture this: a group of overly zealous octogenarians living in a retirement community in the English countryside. These folks would rather not knit, play board games, or sit around mindlessly watching bad daytime TV all day. Instead, they prefer solving crimes during their weekly club meetings. While digging into a cold case, these four savvy seniors suddenly find themselves embroiled in a murder happening right in their own backyard—so to speak. The big question? Are they savvy enough to solve the case before it’s too late?

Spoiler: they absolutely are, and it’s a total joy to watch.

Richard Osman nails that perfect balance of mystery and warmth. The core crew—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron—feel like people you’d actually want to hang out with. They’ve got sharp minds, big personalities, and enough life experience to see things the police miss. One’s a former spy type, another’s a psychiatrist, and they all bring something fun and surprising to the table.

What I loved most is how the book never gets dark or grim. Yes, there’s a murder (or a few), but the story stays focused on the characters, their banter, and those quiet moments about getting older and still having adventures. The humor is dry and very British, and the retirement village setting makes everything feel cozy and charming.

If you’re looking for a mystery that’s clever but not pretentious, funny without being mean, and genuinely heartwarming, this is it. I smiled the whole way through and closed the book wanting more. It’s the kind of story that makes you root for the characters and maybe even rethink what “retirement” really means.

Bottom line: The Thursday Murder Club is a fantastic read. If you haven’t picked it up yet, do yourself a favor and start here. The whole series is addictive—I’m already hooked.

Rating: 4.5 / 5 ⭐

THE HOUSEMAID by Freida McFadden

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden completely surprised me—in the best way.

I started this one with low expectations. I love a good mystery, but psychological thrillers aren’t usually my thing. A few chapters in, though, I was hooked. McFadden’s writing is so conversational and easy to read that it feels like a friend is telling you a wild story. The short chapters and constant tension make it ridiculously hard to put down.

What begins as a seemingly straightforward “troubled young woman takes a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy, dysfunctional family” setup quickly turns into something much darker and more twisty. Just when I thought I had the characters figured out, the story zigged and zagged with jaw-dropping revelations. The final stretch is packed with “holy mackerel” moments that left me rethinking everything.

It reminded me a lot of Verity by Colleen Hoover—same unreliable-narrator, domestic-nightmare energy—but I actually preferred McFadden’s version: tighter pacing, less sex, and more of that subtle (but not overly graphic) edge. The ending is a fantastic segue into the sequel, and I’m already tempted to dive in after a cozy mystery palate cleanser.

If you’re on the fence about psychological thrillers, The Housemaid might just pull you in the same way it did me. One leg dangling off the edge, for sure. Highly recommend!

Rating: 4 / 5⭐

MURDER on the ÎLE SORDOU by M.L. Longworth

Murder on the Île Sordou by M. L. Longworth was published in 2014 by Penguin Books and is the 4th book of the Verlaque & Bonnet Provençal Mysteries series.

A recently renovated luxury hotel on the secluded island of Sordou off the coast of Marseille is the setting for travelers seeking a week's long rest, relaxation, and solitude. Two hotel guests are the story's main protagonists, Antoine Verlaque, a wealthy magistrate from the Aix-en-Provence, and his love interest, Marine Bonnet, a law professor. Both want to keep their professions to themselves while on this much-needed vacation. But fortunes being what they are, their secret is soon revealed. 

As the guests settle in for their week of R&R, a shot rings out during the night, which no one seems to pay much attention to until the dead body of one of the hotel guests, the well-known actor Alain Denis, is found the following day. A police investigation ensues, which includes a collaboration between Judge Verlaque, Professor Bonnet, and their police inspector friend Bruno Paulik, along with a stormy sea that prevents anyone from leaving the island; it becomes evident that the murderer is among them. 

This story is not filled with many twists and turns, although there are one or two. Yes, there is a murder, but it's not graphic or bloody, making me think of this story as more of a cozy mystery, which I enjoy. 

The many characters are vividly described, though one or two can easily be pegged as stereotypical. Although fictional, the locale's atmosphere, cultural references, and culinary delights are beautifully depicted in this story, which reminds me more of a travelogue at times than a mystery, and that's okay.  

The main characters are opposites attracted to each other. Antoine Verlaque comes from money and is stuffy but likable. Marine Bonnet is more grounded and makes a good foil for him. Their back-and-forth banter, along with that of Marine's friend Sylvie, is entertaining. Unfortunately, I have not yet read any other Verlaque & Bonnet Provençal Mysteries, of which there are 9, but I will. Regardless, Murder on the Île Sordou is a good read, especially if you are a Francophile or enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle.  

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐⭐¾

MURDER on the ORIENT EXPRESS by Agatha Christie

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie is a work of fiction first published in 1934 in the United Kingdom by the Collins Crime Club. 

The story takes place on the Orient Express, an elegant long-distance train service. When a murder occurs, the list of passengers on this particular trip is almost as long as the soon-to-be list of possible suspects. 

The plot of the book revolves around the murder of Ratchett, a passenger on the train whose real name is Cassetti, a man described as truly evil who had escaped punishment in the U.S. for the kidnapping and subsequent murder of 3-year-old Daisy Armstrong, which took place before the start of the novel. 

Hercule Poirot is a masterful detective, independently wealthy, and a highly moral man. Ratchett, now a passenger on the luxury train, approaches Poirot in the dining car and tries to engage the services of the world-renowned retired Belgian police officer and private detective to act as security for him because he has been receiving threatening letters. He believes someone is trying to kill him. Unfortunately for him, no amount of money will tempt Hercule Poirot to work for the despicable Ratchett.

As the story unfolds, Hercule Poirot has just finished up a case in Syria when he boards the Taurus Express, a train to Istanbul, for a few days of vacation. Upon reaching his hotel, a telegram is waiting for him that informs Hercule of a development in another case he is working on and that he needs to return to London as soon as possible. Poirot arranges passage on the Orient Express. However, he is informed that no first-class compartments are available, and he is relegated to second-class. While he waits for the next train for his return trip to London, Hercule runs into his old friend, M. Bouc, who happens to be the director of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagon Lits and a former coworker on the Belgian police force. Bouc makes arrangements for Poirot to take the carriage of a passenger who has yet to show up for this ill-fated train trip. Still, he must share it with Hector McQueen, the personal assistant of the soon-to-be murder victim. When the train reaches Belgrade, Bouc has Poirot's luggage moved to compartment number one, previously occupied by M. Bouc, who then moves to the Athens coach. Having now moved into the first-class compartment number one. Poirot's compartment is now directly next to Mr Ratchett. It is also two doors down from Mrs. Hubbard, another passenger who will provide critical evidence in the murder.  

When the train runs into a snow bank and is stuck there for several days, it's up to Poirot, with the aid of M. Bouc and Dr. Constantine, the coroner aboard the Orient Express, who is called upon to examine Ratchett's body, determine the victim's time and place of death, and also happens to be around for most of the evidence gathering done during the investigation to solve this most brutal murder. Poirot's 'little gray cells' work overtime, but is he up to the challenge?  

Those readers who love a good whodunit will love this book. It keeps you guessing right to the end.

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

 

4:50 From Paddington (aka What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!) by Agatha Christie

 

4:50 From Paddington is a famous work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie. It was published in 1957 in the United Kingdom and simultaneously in the United States under the title, What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!  

Mrs. McGillicuddy is taking the train to visit her good friend, Jane Marple. While gazing out the window, she witnesses a woman being strangled on another train running in the same direction. Unfortunately, the murderer has his back to the window. Hence, the description of the killer Mrs. McGillicuddy relays to Jane is limited. Miss Marple believes her friend, but as there is no mention of the crime in the news, Jane decides to investigate and find out who the victim is, what happened to the body, and identify the murderer. 

After several train rides later and armed with a map, Miss Marple pinpoints the general location of the body on the grounds of Rutherford Hall. Jane enlists the aid of Lucy Eyelesbarrow to gain employment as a cook and housekeeper at the Hall, as well as to be Jane's eyes and ears in trying to locate the body. 

The irascible and infirmed Luther Crackenthorpe is the current primary resident of Rutherford Hall whose father made his fortune in biscuit manufacturing and who, unfortunately for Luther, left the Hall in trust for his eldest grandson, Cedric. According to the terms of the will, Luther can live in the house for his lifetime and receive the income from the capital left by his father. Upon Luther's death, that capital was to be divided equally among Luther's surviving children, increasing the share due to the living children as each sibling died before Luther and making a good motive for murder. Two of Luther's children died before the start of the novel; Edmund, the first-born son, was killed during World War II. and his younger daughter, Edith, died four years before the beginning of the story, leaving behind a son, Alexander, who will inherit Edith's share. The remaining children are Cedric, a painter; Harold, a married businessman; Alfred, who makes shady deals; and Emma. Others at the family home include Alexander's father, Bryan Eastley, and Alexander's friend, James Stoddart-West. Local physician Dr. Quimper spends much time at the Hall, too. Partly looking after Luther, but mostly because he's in love with Emma. 

As Lucy Eyelesbarrow investigates, she finds fur from a woman's coat and a cheap powder compact. She brings her discoveries to Jane, who has determined that the murderer removed the body from the railway embankment. Lucy continues her search and ultimately discovers the woman's body hidden in the stables at Rutherford Hall, currently used to store Luther Crackenthorpe's collection of antiques.

The investigation continues under the purview of the local police, specifically Inspector Craddock, who also happens to be a friend of you guessed it...Miss Jane Marple. More clues, questions, another murder or two, and a twist in the ending make this mystery a must-read for Agatha Christie fans.

My personal rating is:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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MASTERING the ART of FRENCH MURDER: An American in Paris Mystery by Colleen Cambridge

Mastering the Art of French Murder: An American in Paris Mystery by Colleen Cambridge, published in 2023 by Kensington Books, is a work of fiction. The novel centers around Tabitha Knight, an expatriate that moves from Detroit, Michigan, to Paris, France, shortly after WWII. She lives with her Grand-père and Oncle Rafe across the street from her new best friend and confidante, Julia Child, before her future career as a world-renowned French chef.

Julia's sister Dorothy or Dort, as she is known, lives upstairs from her and often invites the members of an American theater troupe she works with over for drinks after an evening's performance. While attending one of these gatherings, Tabitha meets a young woman named Thérèse, who works in the coat check room at the theater. By the end of the evening, the woman turns up dead, and except for the murderer, Tabitha is the last person to see her alive. 

When the murder weapon turns out to be one of Julia's best chef's knives, and Tabitha's address...written on a piece of paper by Tabitha herself... somehow finds its way into the victim's pocket, it doesn't look good for this new American in Paris. Tabitha soon finds her life in danger when she puts her amateur detective skills to work, much to the chagrin of the local police...Inspecteur Merveille, to be exact. 

Cambridge's Mastering the Art of French Murder has all the elements needed for a good solid mystery. Murder, mayhem, and international intrigue abound. However, some characters needed to be fleshed out more...two prime examples are Inspecteur Merveille and Oncle Rafe. Is there a possible relationship brewing beneath the surface between Tabitha and Merveille? Exactly, who is Oncle Rafe, and what is in his past that is often hinted at but never spoken of? 

Too much time and attention were also devoted to Julia's disastrous attempts at making mayonnaise. When Julia makes an excited phone call to Tabitha to come over to her apartment to sample the frothy concoction, as it turns out, it seems overplayed. It leaves the reader with the impression that the Julia Child character is a highly-strung, somewhat silly woman, which the real Julia Child was not. It also adds nothing to the plot or the solution to what could be an excellent story, minus some of the minutiae that gets in the way at times.

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐½

The FIFTH ASSASSIN by Brad Meltzer...

The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer was published in 2013 by Grand Central Publishing. It is the second book of the Culper Ring series, which picks up where book one, The Inner Circle, ends with the main character, archivist Beecher White inducted into the modern-day Culper Ring.  

It is essential to understand what the Culper Ring is before diving into any of the three books in Brad Meltzer's Culper Ring Series, so let me explain. The Culper Ring was a real, honest-to-goodness network of American spies operating during the American War of Independence. The Ring was organized in 1778 and was used to provide General George Washington with information on British troupe movements.¹ Meltzer's Culper Ring Series assumes that the spy ring still exists. However, the plot twist is that two separate factions within the organization are working in opposition. 

This installment begins with an unknown assassin in Washington, D.C., attempting to recreate the assassination plots successfully achieved by four of the most infamous killers in U.S. history, John Wilkes Booth, Charles Guiteau, Leon Czolgosz, and Lee Harvey Oswald. Throughout history, everyone believed the four killers were lone gunmen. However, Beecher White is not convinced. Through his investigation, he discovers that the four assassins may have worked together over the past hundred years. 

It's up to Beecher and the Culper Ring to find answers to the Who, What, Why, and How questions that remain unresolved before the copycat assassin finds its mark...the current President of the United States. Can it be done, but more importantly...can it be done before the assassin succeeds? 

This is an absorbing tale with more than one unexpected turn of events. I enjoyed this novel very much, but since many of the characters and subplots are continuations from the first book, I recommend reading the books in sequential order. I think you'll be glad you did.

My Personal Rating... ⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE LIE: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret by Heather Dawn Gray

The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret by Heather Dawn Gray, published in 2019 by hdg Publishing. The story centers around Jahana, a college professor and Muslim woman living in Canada, married to Barid, and mother of two young daughters on a quest to discover the truth about her heritage when a small tube of saliva upends her life forever. 

Noosha never volunteered or answered questions about her people. After her death, Jahana's curiosity about her Maman and her family intensified, and her lack of knowledge only compounded the grief she felt over the loss of her mother.

To support his wife, Barid buys a DNA testing kit for Jahana, hoping it will help ease her sadness by finding long-lost relatives from the maternal side of her family and answering the mystery surrounding her beloved Maman. No good deed goes unpunished, though; when the results come in, Jahana is shocked that the test reveals that she is not...a 'descendent of Muhammed,' as she always believed based on the childhood teachings from both her parents. Instead, Jahana discovers that she is an Ashkenazi Jew. 

DNA is passed from both parents to the child. That's an undisputed fact. So which parent did Jahana inherit her Jewish ethnicity from...mother, father, or both? The revelation that she's not Arabic, as she grew up believing, is devastating news to Jahana and potentially dangerous. She must keep this information secret from those closest to her as she attempts to get to the bottom of what promises to be one of the greatest scandals in her family history. 

Where does Jahana begin? Her father would be the most logical starting point, but he's made it clear that he does not want Jahana to take the DNA test in the first place. As a matter of fact, he is adamantly opposed to it. The question is, why? Does Baba already know the secret? If not, what will he say when he finds out, and if he does know...  then why was Jahana never told? Suppose Jahana's paternal cousin Mishal would also be willing to take a DNA test. Would the results of her test complicate matters further? 

And to make matters worse, Jahana's husband, Barid, is a strict Muslim with pointed antisemitic views. What impact will Jahana's discovery have on their marriage and the lives of their children? Barid bought the DNA test as an anniversary gift for his wife. Not exactly romantic, but now that she's taken it, will this be their last anniversary as a married couple because of the results? 

How does Jahana get the answers to all the questions swirling around in her head without revealing the secret that carries a threat that could likely unravel her entire way of life?   

The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret is a tense and thought-provoking work of fiction that opens up a line of questioning that anyone that has ever taken or is contemplating taking a DNA test must ask themselves, starting with...can you accept the outcome that may alter everything that you once thought you knew about yourself and your family? Or will you turn your back on the results as though they don't exist? You'll need to read the book to find out how Jahana answered these questions.

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐

DROWNING by T.J. Newman

Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421 by T. J. Newman, published in 2023 by Simon & Schuster. This work of fiction is an aviation disaster thriller that is not for the faint of heart.

When Flight 1421's engine explodes shortly after takeoff with 99 souls aboard, the pilot has no choice but to ditch the Airbus into the Pacific Ocean near the island of Molokai. Those passengers that did not perish upon impact are left with a take-it-or-leave-it decision to make... evacuate the plane and run the risk of falling victim to the burning jet fuel on the water's surface, or follow the advice and insistence of Will Kent, an engineer by trade and fellow passenger to stay aboard the aircraft. The only problem with that plan is that there is a limited amount of oxygen onboard the ditched jet, it's slowly filling with water, and there's a genuine threat that looms over their heads of drowning when the plane sinks and or breaks apart as it descends further down into the sea. 

Twelve passengers and crewmembers opt to remain on the plane, Kit Callahan, the pilot who takes command; the flight crew, Kaholo, Jasmine, Bernadette, and Molly; passengers Ryan, widowed in the crash; Andy, the resident jackass; an elderly couple, Ira and Ruth; Will and his 11-year-old daughter Shannon (two of the main protagonists in the story), and Maia a young girl close in age to Shannon traveling alone.  

Chris Kent is Will's estranged wife and Shannon's mother. She also owns and manages an ocean salvage operation company. While working on a government salvage job on a neighboring island, Chris learns of the crashed jet where her daughter and soon-to-be ex-husband are passengers and rushes to the scene, crew, and equipment in tow. She is ultimately recruited (at her insistence) by the Navy in the rescue efforts of the Airbus. 

As the wrecked plane teeters on the edge of a cliff 200 feet below the water's surface and is already close to where no one can come to its aid, can Chris devise a method to get the passengers off the jet? Can Will and the other plane passengers find a way to keep the fuselage watertight, at least long enough for rescuers to help them evacuate the sinking plane safely?   

Interwoven throughout the novel is a subplot concerning the damaged relationship between Will and Chris, the loss of their eldest daughter Annie, and the overprotection of their youngest, Shannon. Can they put the past behind them, or is it too late?

Some parts of Newman's Drowning are challenging due to their intensity. Also, some technical descriptions concerning the rescue efforts are hard to follow. If you fear the water, flying, or both, this book is not for you. However, if you are looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the one.

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

 

The SENTENCE is DEATH: a Novel by Anthony Horowitz...

The Sentence is Death: a Novel by Anthony Horowitz was published in 2019 by Harper Publishing. It is a classic yet modern-day whodunit with two main characters that couldn't be more different. Horowitz has again done a great job inserting himself into the second book of the Hawthorne and Horowitz Series as both narrator and one of the two protagonists in the story. This well-crafted novel has two storylines at work. 

The main plot centers on investigating the murder of a high-priced divorce attorney, Richard Pryce, in his home. A bottle of wine is used as a murder weapon. The catch...Richard doesn't drink, so where did the bottle come from, and why was this the weapon of choice? 

The subplot focuses on the slightly contentious relationship between the two men for whom the series is named. 

The storylines intersect when the police struggle to solve the case and call Daniel Hawthorne, a former detective and now a private investigator, to assist. Hawthorne, in turn, calls on Anthony Horowitz to follow him around, take notes, keep his mouth shut, and at the end of the day...write a book about him and the case he's currently working on...even though their first joint venture has yet to be published. Unfortunately, Hawthorne isn't very forthcoming with many, or any details for that matter, about his personal life to provide Horowitz with any background color to enhance the story. In addition, the two men aren't particularly fond of each other, or Horowitz, like most people, isn't that fond of Hawthorne. However, Anthony is interested in the case and again agrees to partner with Daniel on this latest venture. 

The book has all of the bells, whistles, and red herrings necessary to keep the story moving forward, one of which I could have done without. You must read the book to discover which one and whether you agree. You will definitely form an opinion. How does it all play out in the end? Again, you must read the book. But, overall, I think you will be satisfied.

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The CHESTER CREEK MURDERS by Nathan Dylan Goodwin

The Chester Creek Murders by Nathan Dylan Goodwin was independently published in 2021 and is the first book in the Venator Cold Case Series, with the story centering on the murders of three young women whose bodies were dumped in Chester Creek. 

Detective Clayton Tyler is a police officer assigned to review and solve cold cases for the local police department. The file he chose to start with is the Chester Creek Murders. The problem? The murders were committed around 40 years ago, and no new clues or information has been revealed since the original investigation. 

With justice long overdue, Detective Tyler contacts Venator, a Utah-based company specializing in cutting-edge genetic genealogy investigations. Can this small team of investigators, using their expertise in forensic genealogy assisted by 21st-century technology, analyze the DNA evidence and find the identity of the person responsible for the three murders?

Goodwin’s novel explores the lives of the three victims to determine whether there is a shared connection between them and or the killer. It also delves into the personal lives of the Venator investigators and Detective Tyler and what drives them, adding a human element to the characters and keeping the story from becoming overly science-driven and dry. 

Genealogy-buffs will appreciate and recognize the research techniques and types of records searched for by the Venator team, making this book an excellent reference manual for their own research pursuits. 

So if you enjoy a good mystery and have a passion for genealogy, this book is for you.

My Personal Rating is: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

The BIG SLEEP by Raymond Chandler

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler was published in 1939 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. It is a work of fiction told in the first-person point of view. This classic whodunit introduces the reader to the quintessential hardboiled detective, Philip Marlowe, the main protagonist, and narrator. 

The story takes place in Los Angeles and centers around the private detective's investigation into a blackmail scheme against Carmen Sternwood, the wild young daughter of General Sternwood, an elderly millionaire who has his hands full with both of his spoiled and impetuous offspring.  

The General hires Marlowe to deal with the latest blackmail plot. This one was perpetrated by Arthur Gwynn Geiger, the owner of an illegal pornography-lending library, against Carmen. As a matter of fact, this is the second time she's been faced with blackmail. The previous scheme was put into motion by a man named Joe Brody, a grifter who tries and fails to take over Geiger's racket. That blackmail plan ended when General Sternwood paid Brody off. With this latest attempt, the General hires Marlowe to, in essence, make this problem disappear. It seems Geiger has nude pictures of Carmen and intends to sell them unless she (or her father) can come up with the cash to get the photos back. 

During their initial meeting, the General also tells Marlowe about his eldest daughter Vivian who is in a loveless marriage to a man named Rusty Regan. But, unfortunately, it appears that Rusty has vanished. While determining whether General Sternwood wants him to look into the disappearance, Marlowe heads over to Geiger's bookstore, where he discovers the secret-pornography business being run out of the back of the shop.

Marlowe stakes out the bookstore and then follows Geiger home, where he witnesses Carmen Sternwood enter the house; a few moments later, there's a scream, the sound of gunshots, and two cars speeding away; Marlowe enters and finds Geiger's dead body and Carmen naked and strung out on drugs beside an empty camera. He takes Carmen home and then returns to Geiger's house, only to find that his body has been removed. 

When Marlowe gets a phone call from the police the next day telling him that Sternwood's car was found off the pier with the murdered body of the Sternwood chauffeur Owen Taylor inside, Marlowe knows that he is getting himself deeper and deeper into a much bigger scheme than what meets the eye and is putting his own life in danger due in part to all of the unanswered questions this mystery unfolds for the detective the longer he investigates.  

This novel is rife with atmosphere, plot twists, and a cast of characters you will remember. Unfortunately, like its film version, The Big Sleep has been called cryptic, confusing, and by some...impossible to follow. It has a complex plot, and I admit taking a few notes while reading the book to keep it all straight. You may want to judge for yourself, but none of this interfered with my enjoyment of reading this classic detective yarn.

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐½