Review - The Man Who Died Twice

 I had read The Thursday Murder Club (book 1), but apparently I didn't post a review of it.  Shame on me.  I apologize profusely.  Since I dropped the ball, let's review a little about the first book's success.

The Thursday Murder Club won the Sounds of Crime Award in 2021 for the audiobook and won the Platinum Bestseller Award for selling over 1 million copies in the UK in 2020.

The debut novel also was nominated for the Edgar Award in 2021,  the Anthony Award for first novel in 2021,  the Macavity Award in 2021, the Barry Award for First Novel in 2021, the British Book Award shortlisted for Audiobook in 2021, and the CrimeFest Award shortlisted in 2021.

Plus the novel is being adapted into a film by Stephen Spielberg's company.  Filming reportedly finished September of 2024 so it should be released this year.  It is supposed to be in theaters prior to streaming on Netflix.  The cast is full of stars with Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan,  Celia Imrie, and David Tennant.  I am anxious to see it and review the movie here.

But, today is a review of the second book in the series.  If you have read it, please leave a comment on how you felt it stacked up to the wildly popular first book.

Author: Richard Osman

Copyright: September 2021 (Penguin Books) 365 pgs

Series: 2nd in Thursday Murder Club Mysteries

Sensuality: Minimal descriptions of violence

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth, British Mystery

Main Character: Elizabeth Best, 76 year old ex-spy for British Secret Service

Setting: Modern day, Cooper's Chase Retirement Village, near the fictitious village of Fairhaven in Kent, Britain

Obtained Through: Library Find

Book Blurb: "Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim—the Thursday Murder Club—are still riding high off their recent real-life murder case and are looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet at Cooper's Chase, their posh retirement.

But they are out of luck when an unexpected visitor—an old pal of Elizabeth's (or perhaps more than just a pal?)—arrives, desperate for her help. He has been accused of stealing diamonds worth millions from the wrong men and he's seriously on the lam." 

The stars of this show are the slightly eccentric, yet relatable senior citizens: Whip smart Elizabeth is a former cunning spy of some renown;  calm and clever Joyce was a nurse who documents their exploits in her journal;  the endearing rogue Ron was a prior union activist; and soft spoken Ibrahim was a psychiatrist.  Plus DCI Chris and PC Donna are highlighted with their personal challenges. In this book, each character gets a chance to shine in their own right.  But for me, Ibrahim's journey this time really plucked my heart strings.  This ensemble cast is golden and their individuality and care for one another makes the book shine.

Set in the quaint retirement village of Cooper's Chase in the English countryside.  This setting is English cozy community personified, while giving an intriguing tension just under the surface.  The setting seems idyllic, but even in this second outing it becomes clear it isn't perfect nor is it altogether safe.

The plot involves a cold case with present day threats when a man from Elizabeth's past appears seeking her aid and thus the Thursday Murder Club has their next investigation. The pacing kept me engaged as much for the characters and their stories as the twisty plot. The subplots revolve around the group's friendship, aging difficulties and challenges, and humor all wrapped around a tantalizing murder mystery maze.

The climactic killer reveal was pretty much a surprise since I didn't figure it out until two or three pages before all was laid bare.  I liked how Elizabeth worked the confrontation, manipulating a scene that flushed out the missing puzzle piece to tie all threads off and resolve everything.  I like how these seniors bring about a sequence of events to get justice, even if they are a little unorthodox in their methods.  This kept me glued to the book, flipping pages with the common "just one more chapter" refrain.

In the wrap up all loose ends are dealt with and some character challenges are brought to resolution with tender care.  I particularly like the last few pages as it brought a lump to my throat for its compassion.

My Thoughts:  Initially I had a hard time getting into the story, but it didn't take long for that to change.  These four mature characters have a magic between them like the best of some shows that create devoted fans to their characters.  It's "Friends" combined with "RED" and that is a potent recipe.   

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

Have you read it?  What were your thoughts?  Please share in the comments.  Are you looking forward to the movie?

Musings - Police Procedural, Thriller, and Intrigue

I did a prior post on the differences between Cozy, Traditional, and Amateur Sleuth novels (click here).

Now we will tackle the difference between the detective fiction, police procedurals, thrillers, and intrigue sub-categories of the mystery genre.

Some believe that all mysteries started with detective fiction in mid 1800s and everything from police procedural and thrillers to cozy mysteries has evolved from it.  Whether that is true or not, these categories have developed a lot, particularly in the last few decades.  

This isn't an exhaustive breakdown and analysis but it provides a fair guideline.  These categories are defined differently depending upon who you read/talk to.  I have tried to provide plenty of examples to help illustrate these categories only to aid in understanding what you like and how to find similar novels.  

Detective Fiction to include the Private Detective and CSI,
 

Detective Fiction: For our purposes to define a slice of the bigger mystery genre: The detective (private detective or other professional that is adjacent) investigates a crime, often murder.  Includes the hard-boiled and noir fiction as well as historical detectives.  These range from not much graphic details to gore, depending upon the author.

Many of the historic detective fiction may have a titled or influential/wealthy person investigating even though they don't get paid.  That is a detail of the time period because the titled nobility weren't to "work" for a living, but they still classify as detectives sought out to investigate and use their influence. These can vary from cozy to very gritty. Examples follow:

CS Harris's Sebastion St Cyr

Charles Finch's Charles Lennox series

Andrea Penrose's Wrexford and Sloane series

Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series

Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series

Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series

Dorothy Sayer's Lord Peter Wimsey series

Dashiel Hammet's Sam Spade series

Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe

Jeffrey Dever's Colter Shaw series

CJ Box's Joe Picket (Game Warden) series

Police Procedural

The police procedural is focused on the official law enforcement and its procedures, including police-related topics such as forensic science, autopsies, gathering evidence, search warrants, interrogation, and adherence to legal restrictions and procedures.  They may have more graphic descriptions, swearing, and the harsher side of life shown.

While many police procedurals conceal the criminal's identity until the crime is solved in the climatic killer reveal or confrontation (the so-called whodunit), others reveal the perpetrator's identity to the audience early in the narrative for a twist and more suspense.  Examples follow:

J.D. Robb's In Death series

James Patterson's Detective Alex Cross series

Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee series

James D Doss's Charlie Moon series (early books)

Ian Rankin's Detective Inspector John Rebus series

Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series

Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series

Robert Galbraith Cormoran Strike series

Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series

P.D. James' Adam Dalgliesh series

Jeffrey Dever's Lincoln Rhymes series

Thriller: Suspense, Political, Action, Psychological, Women-
in-jeopardy, Legal etc.

The thriller genre has taken off and contains many subcategories including Suspense thriller, political thriller, legal thriller, medical thriller, psychological thriller, conspiracy thriller, military thriller, and even the serial killer thriller.  Thus, it makes it difficult to provide general description that adequately includes each of these sub-genres.

The thriller umbrella often includes a race against a ticking clock--a sense of urgency, bigger stakes, and higher tension and suspense.  A "thriller" doesn't have to be non-stop action and thrills, although they can.  Thrillers are more about stopping something from happening with little time rather than finding out who already committed a murder or crime.  They can range anywhere from cozy to gritty to violent with sex.  Examples follow:

Dan Brown's novels including Robert Langdon series

Mary Higgins Clark's (Queen of Suspense) body of work. 

David Baldacci's The Camel Club series

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series (some could be intrigue as well)

Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series

James Patterson's Shadow Thrillers

Andrew Mayne's Jessica Blackwood Thrillers

Catherine Coulter's FBI Thrillers

John Grisham Legal Thrillers: The Firm etc.

Lisa Scottoline's Mistaken Identity etc.

C.G. Abbot's The Society (click here)

David Baldacci's First Family (Maxwell and King series)

Espionage and Intrigue

This is spy fiction: as in spy vs spy, discovering a spy in your midst, the world of assasins for national security, or domestic terrorist threats.  Typically this involves nations but with real world corporate espionage occuring, that has become furtile ground for novelists, too.  They can vary on violence, language and sex depending upon the author.  Examples follow:

Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series

Stella Rimington's (real life former Director General of MI5) Liz Carlyle series

Gayle Lynds' The Assassins and The Last Spymaster

Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series

David Baldacci's Will Robie series

John le Carré books

Mark Greaney's Gray Man series

Mick Herron's Slough House series

Ian Fleming's James Bond series

There you have the differences between these sub-categories of the Mystery genre.  I hope these give you clarity and aid you in finding what you enjoy so you can find more of that type.  Or, perhaps you have some new books to look into and widen your reading horizons.  That to-be-read pile is getting bigger :-)

Guest Review: Black Ghosts

My book-loving neighbor is back with another review.  Welcome "neighbor Ken" back to share about a novel full of intrigue and suspense.  Sounds like this is a great book.

Author:  Victor Ostrovsky  

Copyright:  May 3, 2011; 452 pages 
 
Sensuality:  Violence
 
Mystery sub-genre:  Suspense, Intrigue
 
Main Characters:  Edward, an officer with Alpha 27, a specialized and covert unit of U.S. Military Intelligence
 
Setting:  Modern day, Russia and USA 
 
Obtained Book Through:  Publisher supplied in exchange for honest review


Convicted of treason, Russian General Peter Rogov, imprisoned in Siberia, makes an explosive and daring escape assisted by his henchmen.  This mastermind then puts into play his nefarious plans to kill the Russian president, take over the Russian government, hijack the U. S. president, place the USA under nuclear attack, and attain global domination.  He re-activates the Black Ghosts, a group of KGB operatives and a shadow army placed throughout the Russian government in case of a coup during the Cold War.  Unfortunately, several spies and U. S. government officials are aiding and abetting the general.

Larry, a CIA agent, who is assisted by the beautiful and intelligent Natalie, becomes aware of these plans, but he is shot and seriously wounded.  Needing help, he calls on an old friend.  Edward is trying to enjoy the quiet, simple life in Grantsville, Utah, mainly by baking croissants at his restaurant, rather than facing the dangers of the world as an officer with Alpha 27 (a highly specialized and extremely covert unit of U. S. Military Intelligence).

Not knowing who to trust, but becoming more fully aware of the ruthless, brutal reality of Rogov’s actions, Edward brings his team of fellow warriors together and embarks on his own plans to neutralize the dastardly Rogov and his Black Ghosts.  Along the way, he connects with people who become unlikely allies.

This is one great book!  Couldn’t put it down – started reading it at dusk and finished it at dawn.  Black Ghosts has it all.  It’s full of military action, strategy, and tactics, and counter strategy and tactics.  There is mystery, intrigue, action and adventure, deception, betrayal, spy vs. spy, and twists and turns.  The characters, plots, and sub-plots are well developed, believable, and realistic.  The author presented detailed expertise, knowledge, and understanding of various military, governmental, and political structures including their clandestine organizations and actions. 

Victor Ostrovsky was a Lieutenant Commander in the Israeli military as well as a member of the elite Mossad.  He utilizes his experience and knowledge to great advantage.  I rank him among some of my favorite authors such as Clive Cussler, Dale Brown, and Web Griffin.  I will definitely to be seeking out his other books to read.

Thank you so much "neighbor Ken" for another great book review.  


I found this fascinating video on Victor that reveals his love of painting!  Not only is this man a good author but he is a painter that infuses intrigue into his artwork for captivating, even haunting pictures.

 

Review - Where Shadows Dance

Summer is finally here!  Oh happy day.  The bookmark swap is gathering participants steadily.  Don't wait, sign up now.  May 31 will be the last day to join the swap.

Today I review a fantastic historical suspense novel that I am excited to have discovered.  If you aren't already a fan of the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries, it isn't too late to start.

Author:  C.S. Harris

Copyright:  March 2011 (NAL Hardcover) 352 pgs

Series:  6th in Sebastian St. Cyr Regency Mysteries

Sensuality:  Some strong sensual imagery at the end, a few fight scenes

Mystery Sub-genre:  Historical Suspense

Main Character:  Sebastian St. Cyr (Viscount Devlin) a veteran of the Peninsula wars with Napoleon and a nobleman with an ingrained sense of justice.

Setting:  1812 London England

Obtained Through:  Publisher for an honest review

Sebastian's friend, Paul Gibson, is an anatomist who gets dead bodies to learn from as a surgeon.  He specifically wants the body of a young man who was reported to die from a heart problem so he can further his knowledge of such problems.  What he finds is the man died of a knife to the back of the neck.  Mr. Gibson immediately goes to Sebastian who is known to solve such murders.  The young man worked at the foreign office and dealt with many international representatives which opens a world of political strategies and calculated moves. 

This is how the story begins and it is full of suspense and intrigue.  There are two women important in his life: Kat Boleyn, an actress and love of his youth and Hero Jarvis, the intelligent and fearless activist daughter of Sebastian's powerful enemy Lord Jarvis.  Fans have apparently formed Team Kat and Team Hero factions rooting for their favorite with sentiments running hot.  

This is my first book in the series but it is obvious how easy it is to become a big fan and jump into the debate.  Dare I say it...it seemed that Hero is more of a capable woman to match Sebastian's lifestyle and interests.

There are many strong characters from Paul Gibson, Hero's father, Sebastian's father, even the police constable.  They all make an impression in their own ways.  

This book was a wonderful surprise for I did not expect the level of suspense that the story displays.  I felt the plot had just enough twists without being too much.  There are several murders with an impressive line up of international suspects.  I had figured out the killer(s) but couldn't be positive and the motive was wrapped in international maneuvering.  I was impressed by the level of polish I felt the plot and the characters displayed.  The historical details are lush and vivid topping off the whole.

The only drawback is some leaps of believability.  Sebastian is a Regency hero of almost modern stature (one of the book trailers says "think Mr. Darcy with a James Bond edge") with uncanny hearing ability and Hero Jarvis proves herself nearly as lethal in a significant scene where her life is threatened -  but she doesn't have any post traumatic stress at all.  I can't get too worked up about these since the rest is so well written. 

There are several nail-biting scenes, but the climatic confrontation with the killer is first rate.  The wrap up was equally as superb.  The biggest problem I have is now I just have to get the prior five books to read. Is there such a category as historical suspense?

Review: Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy

Time to get into the upcoming holiday - Thanksgiving. 

What better way than to read a mystery set during Thanksgiving at the White House!

Copyright: Dec 2008 (Berkely);336 pgs.
Series: #2 in White House Chef Mysteries
Sensuality: N/A
Mystery sub-genre: Cozy
Main Character: Olivia Paras, White House Executive Chef
Setting: Thanksgiving at the White House in Washington D.C.
Part of a Challenge: Fall/Winter Mystery Reading Challenge
Winner of any awards: 1st book in series won several awards
Obtained book through: Library

Amidst the flurry of activity that is the holidays at the White House, there is murder ruining the festivities. Join the new Executive Chef Olivia (Ollie) as she juggles the harried preparations for Thanksgiving and the following holiday season in the White House kitchen peppered with bomb scares and a splash of murder. Mix in some personality conflicts among the staff and you have the recipe for this original second entry in the series.

The book starts out with a bomb scare and Ollie being hustled along with the first lady into a bomb shelter. The story continues from there with the first lady under pressure to sell her share of a company by the other three owners, Ollie discovering an actual bomb, the Chief Electrician getting electrocuted and the president's nephew committing suicide. Ollie feels both the deaths are not what they seem.

The main character, Ollie, is spunky and caring. The first lady is portrayed sympathetically. Ollie’s kitchen staff comes to life including the cranky and negative Bucky, the supportive Cyan and newcomer Agda who speaks limited English but sure can cook. Other White House staffers populate the story including snarling electrician Curly, and the chief of security pit-bullish Gavin, even the temperamental pastry chef Marcel creating its own tight community with the White House.

Here we join Chief of Security with Ollie:

"There are people who things happen to. And whether you consider it a blessing or a curse, you appear to be one of them." He turned to face me. "I read your dossier."

I winced

"Don’t be embarrassed," he said. "It's not that you have a black cloud over your head – it’s that you have the ability to see and to sense things better than most.” He wagged his head from side to side. “I’m not talking about ESP or clairvoyance, although maybe describing it as a sixth sense is apt. You have a great deal of intelligence and an acute awareness – more than most people – which allows you to notice things out of place. And you have the curiosity to find out why."

"It's a curse, all right."

"I disagree. We hire people with your talents every day."

All the plot lines and subplots nicely wrap up and the sleuthing is done believably through Ollie’s natural observation skills for the most part. While the "bad guy" may not come as a surprise in the end it is nicely handled and working out the details has a few surprises. Descriptions are good without running on which I imagine is a challenge when the setting is the White House – kudos there. Pacing kept me reading. Granted, some people may not care for the kitchen operations included in the story –those people might feel the story isn’t as fast-paced as they might like. But for a cozy mystery I thought it was on par. Oh and there are recipes at the end which many cozy readers love.

For your convenience, you may purchase a copy here.

Until Monday's Musings I wish you many mysterious moments.