Our reaction to the first book in a new crime series by the feted Richard Osman was variable, from really engaged and amused, to considering it disappointing after the “Thursday Murder Club” novels. If anyone would like to write a sentence or two about the books, please email me janet.bayliss@esneft.nhs.uk – so we can post to the book group part of the ESNEFT book group website.
The range of responses to this new venture from Richard Osman was variable across a spectrum, from enjoying it more than some of the “Thursday Murder Club” series, to some people feeling that it was a bit generic and lacked the charm of the other books.
We liked the fact that this novel is funny and fast moving, with quite a bit of globe-trotting by both plot and characters. Amy works in the United States for a private security company, protecting millionaire novelist Rosie D’Antonio, when her own life is put at risk as the result of a series of murders of influencers who were clients of the firm she works for. The murders all carry a signature approach and Amy decides to ask her father-in-law Steve, a retired and recently widowed police officer for help. Steve lives a comfortable retired life in the New Forest, from which he is dragged for a series of breathless adventures as Amy and her colleagues struggle against a foe who is hidden in plain sight, partly by using artificial intelligence styled messages as a means of communication.
The central figures of Amy and Steve were warm, fully rounded characters and we felt the relationship between them formed the emotional pivot of this book, but at the same time some of the other people involved seemed rather two dimensional and some of the situations a bit contrived. Max, the rather limited screen actor (but with remarkably big feet) was found amusing and Rosie’s fame and weather seemed rather convenient, especially in terms of the plot, but we liked Eddie the hitman who was also a regular guy.
The book’s ending sets up for sequels to follow and certainly takes Osman in some rather different directions in terms of crime stories, but how successful the books will be is difficult to gauge. We felt that the same demographic that read the “Thursday Murder Club” titles are likely to gravitate to these also, despite some authorial efforts to bring in a more modern spin, with use of AI, humour around social media and sending up influencers (look out for the really good joke about posts being followed by a pornographic bot).
The autobiography of Cher – volume I, known as Cher: the memoir came in for some very positive comment about her eventful and fascinating life – with the second volume appearing in November.
For fantasy fans, we recommended The priory of the orange tree by Samantha Shannon, with the author visiting Ely while on tour in September this year. Turning to science-fiction Chinese style, The three body problem by Cixin Liu was weird but enjoyable, as a woman starts to communicate with aliens in an alternative past for China set just after the Cultural Revolution.
The spy thriller Slow Horses by Mick Herron had an honourable mention in terms of crime and espionage themed tales, as did The Hotel Avocado by the comedian Bob Mortimer, which is as much comic as a crime novel. The book is a series, with The Satsuma Complex (also very funny) being the first title. Several book group members were also looking forward to the appearance of the next Cormoran Strike book, The hallmarked man by J.K. Rowling on 2nd September.
Several of the above are on Libby, check them out at the ESNEFT Libby pages.