Erica’s Pick of the Week: We Solve Murders

Poor Richard Osman. He wrote a beloved, critically acclaimed mystery series that breathed new life into the cozy mystery subgenre, spawned countless imitations, and is currently in production as a Netflix series.

Then he pressed pause. 

At the end of The Last Devil To Die, Osman announced that the members of the Thursday Murder Club would be back for more adventures – but only after he introduced us to a different family of sleuths. Ever since, his fans have been nervously awaiting the verdict on We Solve Murders, his latest mystery. Is it too similar? Is it too different?

In true Goldilocks fashion, I am here to tell you…it is just right.

We Solve Murders follows Steve Wheeler, a retired police officer and widower who copes with his grief by sticking close to his routine and his rural English village. It’s also the story of Steve’s daughter-in-law Amy, a globetrotting bodyguard currently protecting the second-most popular author in the world, Rosie D’Antonio. When Amy herself becomes a target – and a suspect in a string of murders – she and Rosie go on the run, coaxing Steve out of retirement and onto the road alongside them.

With an ex-cop and a security expert as leads, the stakes are high from the get-go, delivering more action and overt danger than The Thursday Murder Club. Rather than interrogating locals over tea and cake, the Wheelers traverse the globe looking for answers and trying to stay ahead of a contract killer. But never fear: despite the slightly edgier tone, Amy, Steve, and their motley crew are a delight. They’re warm-hearted, well-developed, and full of surprises. Rosie, in particular, adds a flamboyant note of hilarity that balances Steve’s steadiness and Amy’s prickly reserve. Just like the residents of Cooper’s Chase, they form a charming, offbeat family. 

Osman’s signature humor – his wry tone and knack for witty asides – makes for a fun and funny ride. He also continues his fondness for misdirection. An idle comment isn’t idle at all; a minor event turns out to be an essential part of the plan. Most importantly, he keeps the sense of warmth and affection that is so central to his previous books. Whether it’s Cooper’s Chase or the Wheeler’s farflung adventures, Osman invites you into a world that you won’t want to leave.

Poor, poor Richard Osman. He might have thought starting a new series would allow him to press pause…instead, he’s going to have to write even faster.