crime thriller | Book Girl & Little Bear

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

Four residents of an upscale British retirement village are back to solve a crime, and hope to prevent another, in another good read from the author of The Thursday Murder Club. I most liked the improving relationship between retired nurse Joyce and her daughter Joanna. Elizabeth, a former spy, hasn’t been herself lately, but gets back to work when a wedding guest disappears after asking for her help. The group works to gain access to a remote storage facility where an extremely valuable bitcoin is kept. I certainly don’t understand bitcoins, but you don’t need to in order to follow the storyline.

Ron is worried about his daughter, and is spending more time with his grandson. A car bombing is witnessed, and Ibrahim learns that his favorite criminal hasn’t exactly reformed. This is a lively, clever crime thriller that fans of the series will definitely enjoy. I haven’t mentioned much of the plot, as I don’t want to give any spoilers. I liked Osman’s non-series book, We Solve Murders, but I’m very happy to return to the village of Cooper’s Chase.

Brenda

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

Sometimes I need a fun crime thriller or caper for escapist reading. This first book in a new series by Osman is just the ticket. While different from his Thursday Murder Club mysteries, fans of one series may enjoy the other. To begin with, Amy Wheeler and her father-in-law Steve are the good guys. Steve is a widowed ex-cop with a cat named Trouble. He lives in the English town of Axley where he walks to a favorite park bench every day to talk with Debbie, his late wife. Then there is lunch at the pub, where Tony can diagnose the problems with his car’s clutch, and quiz night once a week. He has just located a missing dog. There are frequent texts and regular chats with Amy, a bodyguard, and less frequent texts with his son Adam, currently en route to Dubai.

Amy is guarding longtime bestselling writer Rosie D’Antonio on her private island off the coast of South Carolina. Recently, three couriers have died, all with ties to Maximum Impact, the security company owned by Jeff, Amy’s boss, and to a small public relations firm in England. One of the deaths happened off the coast of South Carolina, and Amy learns that she’s a suspect. When she’s not sure who to trust, she asks Steve for help. At first reluctant to travel, Steve finds that he enjoys private plane rides, and the action moves to St. Lucia, Dublin, Dubai, and the New Forest in England. Pubs, posh restaurants, airports, golf courses and spas are all featured here. Steve and Amy make connections, ask questions, are occasionally in danger, and along with Rosie, are vastly entertaining. A movie actor, another security guard, and a caddy all help them figure out who’s responsible for the crime wave. Adam also gets to help, but is a minor character here. In the end, loose ends are tied up and the reader finally emerges back into the real world, refreshed.

Steve and Amy decide they will work together to solve mysteries, and Rosie may have located a missing cat. The Marseille Caper and The Corsican Caper by Peter Mayle are readalikes.

Brenda