The Definitive Thursday Murder Club Order: Solve the Case!
If you love a mystery that’s as cozy as a cup of tea but as sharp as a stiletto, you’ve undoubtedly heard the buzz about The Thursday Murder Club.
Richard Osman’s brilliant, record-breaking series introduces us to four septuagenarian amateur sleuths Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim, who reside in the idyllic (and surprisingly lethal) Coopers Chase retirement village.
The series is a masterful blend of genuine human warmth, laugh-out-loud comedy, and genuinely intricate plots. It’s a testament to the power of overlooked wisdom and experience.
For anyone eager to dive into this delightful world, the most critical first question is: “What is the Thursday Murder Club order?” Starting in the correct sequence is essential to follow the characters’ evolving lives and the overarching mysteries.
You’re in the right place. As expert fans of the series, we’ve compiled the definitive, up-to-date reading guide. We’ll give you the official murder club books in order, a synopsis for each, and the key reasons why this series has become a global publishing phenomenon. Spoiler alert: there are currently five Thursday Murders Club books in order, with the newest arriving in 2025!
The Official Thursday Murder Club Order: 5 Books
The Thursday Murders Club series must be read in publication order to appreciate the development of the characters, the progression of their relationships, and the subtle callbacks that tie the overall narrative together. Here are the five books in the series, including the latest installment.
1. The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
This is where the magic begins. You meet Elizabeth, the ex-spy; Joyce, the retired nurse; Ibrahim, the former psychiatrist; and Ron, the union activist. They meet weekly to discuss cold cases, hence the name, The Thursday Murder Club.
- The Story: A local property developer is killed, and suddenly, the amateur sleuths have a live case on their hands. They decide to intervene, often to the hilarious frustration of the actual police, DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas.
- Why It’s Essential: It beautifully establishes the unique tone, a blend of wit, emotional depth, and genuine mystery. It also sets the stage for the recurring relationships that define the entire seri
The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman
2. The Man Who Died Twice (2021)
The second installment deepens the personal stakes, especially for Elizabeth, whose past is starting to catch up with her.
- The Story: A face from Elizabeth’s secret past arrives at Coopers Chase, seeking her help to hide a stolen, priceless diamond. When a major criminal organization and a brutal killer get involved, the stakes skyrocket.
- Why It’s Essential: This book is crucial for understanding Elizabeth’s background and shows how the club’s individual skills from psychological profiling to trade union contacts can be deployed in high-stakes situations. It also strengthens the bond between the four friends.
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3. The Bullet That Missed (2022)
The series’ most complex case to date sees the team investigating a decade-old cold case involving a local news presenter’s disappearance.
- The Story: A ruthless gangster issues Elizabeth an ultimatum: kill a former colleague she has a complex history with, or the club’s friend, DCI Chris Hudson, pays the price. Meanwhile, the gang dives into the mystery of Bethany Waites, a missing TV journalist, uncovering dark secrets in the process.
- Why It’s Essential: This book is a masterclass in plotting. It tackles two major storylines: a tense personal threat and an intricate cold case showing the Thursday Murders Club at their investigative best and most vulnerable.
The Bullet That Missed - Richard Osman
4. The Last Devil to Die (2023)
The fourth book delivers another intricately plotted mystery and a profound examination of love, loss, and the aging process.
- The Story: A shady dealer in priceless, secretly smuggled goods is murdered, and a small package he was guarding has gone missing. This brings the team into a perilous world of forgers, art fences, and high-level criminals. As the investigation ramps up, the club must also contend with the tragic realities of aging and loss.
- Why It’s Essential: Richard Osman shows his expertise by balancing the crime with deeply moving character work. It’s arguably the most emotionally resonant book of the series, providing a brilliant capstone to the first four mysteries while leaving room for more.
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The Last Devil to Die - Richard Osman
5. The Impossible Fortune (2025)
The latest installment promises new thrills and puzzles for our favorite quartet.
- The Story: While plot details are tightly guarded, this book, set to be released in September 2025, sees the four friends dealing with another thrilling mystery. The title alone suggests a search for something valuable and perhaps impossible to obtain. It is the highly anticipated fifth entry in the Thursday Murders Club series.
- Why It’s Essential: After the emotional stakes of book four, fans are eager to see the gang back in top form, tackling new, unexpected challenges that only they can solve.
The Impossible Fortune - Richard Osman
Why This Specific Thursday Murder Club Order Matters
While some crime series can be read out of order, it is strongly advised to read the Thursday Murders Club novels in order for a few important reasons that improve the reader’s overall experience and topical coverage.
The characters in the series are its greatest asset. Ron, Ibrahim, Joyce, and Elizabeth are all dynamic.
Elizabeth’s Past: Her history as a former spy is gradually disclosed, with some of her adversaries and allies making an appearance in subsequent novels. If she skips a book, she will lose important context for her current threats and actions.
Ibrahim and Ron: Their development is a constant theme, particularly Ibrahim’s path following a tragic incident in Book 2. If you jump forward, you will miss their psychological and emotional growth.
In the first novel, the quartet are inexperienced and frequently rely on their own wits. By the time you get to the later volumes in the murder club series, they’ve developed a semi-official, extremely effective alliance with the real cops, Chris and Donna. The success of this collaboration grows throughout the series.
Each book contains clever references and callbacks to past cases and relationships. Reading them in sequence allows you to fully appreciate the continuity and in-jokes, enriching your understanding of the Thursday Murder Club universe.
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The Secret Ingredients of The Thursday Murder Club's Success
1. The Power of Overlooked Experience
The club members are elderly, a demographic often ignored in modern fiction. Osman brilliantly uses this to his advantage.
Their decades of life experience as a spy, a psychiatrist, a union leader, and a nurse provide them with a unique toolkit for solving crimes.
They are underestimated by the criminals and the police, which is their greatest weapon. Their Experience and Expertise are undeniable.
2. The Cozy Crime Tone
The books are crime novels, but they are also cozy. The murders are often less graphic, and the primary focus is on the puzzle and the characters, not the gore.
This tone offers a welcome escape, combining the cerebral fun of a whodunnit with the warmth of a character-driven novel.
3. British Humor and Wit
Osman, a well-known British television personality, infuses the dialogue and narration with sharp, distinctly British wit.
The banter between the four main characters is one of the series’ greatest joys, providing comedic relief even when the stakes are high.
Conclusion: Your New Thursday Murder Club Journey
Whether you are a seasoned reader or a newcomer to the captivating world of Coopers Chase, following the Thursday Murder Club order is your key to unlocking one of the most delightful and successful crime series of the modern era.
Richard Osman has delivered not just murder mysteries, but profound stories about friendship, aging, and the thrill of having a purpose.
By starting with The Thursday Murder Club and proceeding through the rest of the Thursday Murders Club books in order, you are guaranteeing yourself an unforgettable reading journey filled with genuine laughs and genuinely clever crime-solving.
Ready to meet Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim? Click here to start with the first book in the Thursday Murder Club order and join millions of readers who have fallen in love with these remarkable amateur sleuths!
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes, it is highly recommended. While each book in the Thursday Murder Club order solves a self-contained mystery, the characters’ personal lives, relationships, and ongoing subplots (especially Elizabeth’s past and Ibrahim’s recovery) are continuous. Starting with The Thursday Murder Club (Book 1) is the best way to get the full, rich experience.
A: There are currently five books planned and published in the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. The fifth book, The Impossible Fortune, is the latest and was published in September 2025.
A: Richard Osman has indicated that he plans to continue the series as long as he has good ideas and the readers want more. While he has moved on to a new series (We Solve Murders), he has not ruled out returning to Coopers Chase. Fans of the murder club books in order should keep an eye out for future announcements after the release of Book 5.
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