Richard Osman has become a firm favourite with crime fiction readers because his novels feature loveable characters, a warm and witty writing style, and plenty of plot twists.
Both The Thursday Murder Club books and the We Solve Murders series should be read in order so you can follow the characters’ stories from the very beginning; you become invested in their personal storylines, and reading each book feels like reuniting with old friends. So, with that in mind, here’s the complete guide to each of Richard Osman’s series, from his first novel to his latest release We Chase Shadows, which will be published on 10th September 2026.
The Thursday Murder Club books in order:
1. The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
Richard Osman’s first novel is a character-driven yet tightly plotted mystery that brims with humour, charm, and lovable characters you can’t help but root for. In The Thursday Murder Club, we meet group organiser Elizabeth, fiery former union boss Ron, perceptive former psychiatrist Ibrahim and shy former nurse Joyce, who meet once a week in their retirement village to investigate unsolved murders. But when someone is killed on their doorstep, they have their first live case – and, using the skills acquired from their previous careers, they manage to outsmart the police in solving the crime.
We suspect you’ll love it because… This is an entertaining read, especially thanks to Osman’s witty writing style and the charismatic characters, but it balances charm with suspense and plot twists, with short chapters you’ll speed through in trying to find the culprit.
Read an extract from The Thursday Murder Club here.
2. The Man Who Died Twice (2021)
Osman raises the stakes in this action-packed sequel to The Thursday Murder Club. This time, Elizabeth’s former colleague contacts her because he’s being hunted by a mafia boss and needs help recovering £20 million worth of stolen diamonds. The Thursday Murder Club is on the case, on the hunt for the diamonds and the violent mobster who’s on a killing spree. As the bodies and tension ramp up, this fast-paced novel really hits its stride, with a satisfying conclusion.
We suspect you’ll love it because… The plot is action-packed but it’s the characters who are once again the heart and soul of the book. In this novel we get to know them even better, finally getting a glimpse into Elizabeth’s storied past and feeling Ibrahim’s heartbreak when he’s the victim of a violent attack. These characters feel so real, and their affection for each other is infectious.
Read an extract from The Man Who Died Twice here.
3. The Bullet That Missed (2022)
The Bullet That Missed is a rollercoaster of plot twists, with each chapter bringing forth a new revelation. This time, the gang investigates the decade-old death of a journalist whose body was never found. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is visited by an old nemesis who gives her an ultimatum: kill a target or watch one of her friends be killed.
We suspect you’ll love it because… The action makes it an exciting and addictive read, but it’s still laced with Osman’s tongue-and-cheek humour. Plus, we get more of a glimpse into the characters, from Elizabeth’s tender relationship with her husband Stephen, to the softer side of the bolshy Ron.
Read an extract from the Bullet That Missed here.
4. The Last Devil to Die (2023)
By this point in the series, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, Ron and Joyce no longer feel like characters – they’re more like old friends. This time, the plot revolves around a mutual friend who is killed while protecting a mysterious package. The gang investigates and, in so doing, is pulled into the dark world of drug dealing and antiques fraud. The stakes are high, but then the group experiences heartache close to home.
We suspect you’ll love it because… The Last Devil to Die is the most emotional of the series, with a devastating side-plot that is sensitively told. Yet Osman still weaves through his charismatic humour: the characters have such camaraderie and banter with each other, poking fun at the absurdities of life and growing old.
Read an extract from The Last Devil to Die here.
5. The Impossible Fortune (2025)
It’s been a year since the members of the Thursday Murder Club worked on their last case. But as they reunite to prepare for Joyce’s daughter’s wedding, Elizabeth is approached by a concerned guest: the groom’s best man says he’s getting death threats linked to an uncrackable code. When the guest then disappears, the gang is on the case.
We suspect you’ll love it because… The fifth novel in the series keeps the poignancy of The Last Devil to Die but combines it with a fast-paced plot. There are multiple moving parts (in a good way) and solving the crime feels like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s also just a joy to be reunited with our favourite characters.
We Solve Murders books in order
1. We Solve Murders (2024)
Steve is enjoying a quiet retirement from his demanding job as an investigator. His daughter-in-law Amy is a private security officer, working on a private island and protecting a high-profile author. When Amy stumbles across a dead body and a bag full of cash, with her DNA found nearby, she knows she’s being framed. She reaches out to Steve and, together, they travel the globe, trying to find the killer – and stay alive.
We suspect you’ll love it because… This is a fun, fast-paced novel, full of red herrings and a surprising reveal, but written with Osman’s trademark warmth and wit. Like The Thursday Murder Club, Osman infuses this story with gentle humour and loveable characters. Steve and Amy feel like real people as their interactions feel so genuine, and you really root for them, as well as for side character Rose d’Antonio, throughout.
2. We Chase Shadows (2nd September 2026)
Our unlikely detective duo is now a trio as Steve, Amy and Rose return in the action-packed sequel to We Solve Murders. This time, a dead body is found on the steps of a private villa in Italy, pulling the trio into the hunt for a ruthless killer. Again, their investigation takes them on a globetrotting adventure, spanning Italy, Barcelona, Palm Springs and even Steve’s sleepy village.
We suspect you’ll love it because… The chemistry between the characters is electric, and you’ll love seeing them interact with each other as much as you enjoy seeing them solve the crime. In particular, the bold and hilarious Rose d’Antonio has become a firm fan favourite. Plus, unlike The Thursday Murder Club, this series transports you to far-flung locations, giving you a healthy dose of escapism.
In what order should I read The Thursday Murder Club books?
It’s best to start with the first book in the series, The Thursday Murder Club. While you can technically jump in anywhere in the series, as each book has a self-contained plot and mystery to solve, the characters develop throughout the books. It’s much more satisfying to see Ron, Elizabeth, Ibrahim and Joyce’s characters evolve if you start reading from the beginning – plus, you’ll be better able to understand their in-jokes.
What is Richard Osman’s latest book called?
Richard Osman’s most recent book is The Impossible Fortune, which is the fifth in the Thursday Murder Club series. It came out in September 2025, and it sees the gang pull together to find a cutthroat villain who wants an uncrackable code.
Richard Osman’s next book release will be We Chase Shadows on 10th September 2026. This is the second in his separate series, We Solve Murders, and will see the return of detective duo Steve and Amy Wheeler as they jet set around the world, trying to track down a ruthless killer.
Which Richard Osman book is best?
Each of Osman’s warm and witty mysteries is brilliant but, if we had to pick our favourite, we’d choose The Last Devil to Die. This is the fourth book in Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series and while, like the other books in the series, the plot is exciting and the writing is witty, The Last Devil to Die has an additional emotional depth that makes it stand out. By the fourth book, you’re properly invested in the characters, meaning you empathise even more with Elizabeth’s situation with her husband (we won’t give spoilers here).
However, others will argue that the best book in the series is the first: The Thursday Murder Club. After all, this is where we first meet our lovable gang of unlikely detectives as they solve their first murder. It also introduces Osman’s funny storytelling style, which continues throughout the rest of the series.
Looking for Richard Osman’s latest release? Preorder We Chase Shadows now
Books like Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club
If you’ve read all of Richard Osman’s books and want to branch out and find similar authors, we recommend the below. Or, for more ideas, check out our complete guide to similar books for fans of The Thursday Murder Club.
There you have it – Richard Osman’s books in order! Read them all? Let us know in the comments below
Just finished second book which I read while on holiday .Absolutely loved it .Cannot wait until the third one is released .Reading the first one again while waiting.Wonderfully warm and witty stories .
Loved both books
Had me laughing out loud in several places. I still chuckle as I recall the funny bits.
As a US mystery writer, I chose recommendations for my book club carefully. I recommended #2 for my book club and everyone loved it! We’ll be ordering #3 in September. (I loved #1, too) Keep on writing this clever series please. Just the right amount of heartwarming humor and intriguing plot twists.
Read both books and couldn’t put them down, absolutely brilliant
I’m so excited it feels like Christmas. Hurry up Richard, I just can’t wait this long for your 3rd book. Asked the other two.