The Bullet That Missed: (The Thursday Murder Club 3)

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DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Waitomo District Library for the loan of The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. The audiobook narrator Fiona Shaw makes a wonderful effort with gender voicing and delivering the appropriate voice inflections with the dialog to ensure a consistent listening experience, especially when it comes to the hints of humor. I do miss narrator Lesley Manville from book 2, but both ladies have done a remarkable job and have made my preference of the audiobook format for this series an easy win! I love the 4 main characters and their voices. I love that they're old but instead of sitting around talking about the good old days, they're still out there squeezing every last drop out of life.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is receiving anonymous texts that culminate in a threat: kill a former love and KGB agent or face deathly consequences. A new mystery is afoot in the third book in the Thursday Murder Club series from million-copy bestselling author Richard Osman. In this adventure, she gets to meet celebrities, about which she is over the moon. The group is looking into the death of an attractive TV co-host ten years ago, when her car was found at the bottom of a cliff near Dover. The show is still running with the same main host, so Elizabeth and Joyce decide to attend as guests and sit in the front row. Once again, I feel it should be stressed that while this series often lands in the cozy category, anyone who loves mysteries or crime fiction will like this series. It’s smart, clever and oh so entertaining!Other ‘associates’ we’ve met before are Elizabeth’s beloved husband, Stephen, who has dementia but who can still win a mean game of chess against Bogdan – when he remembers he knows how to play. His now-and-then memory is useful, but Elizabeth despairs about his future. I love these characters: Elizabeth whose husband Stephen is slowly succumbing to dementia; Joyce and her dog Alan; Bogdan who provides muscle when needed and unobtrusively babysits Stephen when Elizabeth is otherwise occupied. Bethany had been a co-anchor with a local TV personality Mike Waghorn. Mike is introduced to the gang and becomes a key player in solving the mystery. (I can't help but wonder if this character is loosely based on the author himself?)

Each book in the Thursday Murder Club series gets better and better. The mysteries are more intricately plotted and there are more interesting characters introduced. Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club is concerned. A decade-old cold case leads them to a local news legend and a murder with no body and no answers. The Thursday Mystery Club decides that they want to take on a cold case, but in any case they take on, there is always someone who is not going to like it being stirred up. I think she is a hoot, plus – as Elizabeth notes – she may be naïve, but that isn’t the same as stupid She is smart and has great instincts for ferreting things out. Mike knows the story she is working on. He doesn't know the details - a reporter has to keep her secrets - but he knows it's a risky one. He's there if she needs him, but there are some things you have to do alone.This series is a delight to read, with appealing characters and murders new and old to solve. It’s hard to see some of the people struggling because of age or frailty, but the depth of camaraderie and support they offer each other is wonderful. I particularly enjoy the outlook each character has, courtesy of their own experiences over the decades. It's a typically convoluted story that eventually has people happily pairing off, working together, and generally becoming best versions of themselves. (Or are they?)

Pauline puts a finger to Ron’s lips to help him out of his cul-de-sac of a sentence. He nods gratefully." A Book #4 has been announced but as of yet, it is untitled, and with a only a tentative publication date of September 2023, but you can be sure that I will ready to rejoin my friends at Cooper’s Chase for their next case, whenever that may be!

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I loved the development of all the characters and especially enjoyed the pairing of Bogdan and Donna. There are many humorous moments between and about all of the characters, but there are sad moments too. The progress of Stephen's dementia is very realistic and is especially heart breaking now that he is beginning to be more aware that something is wrong.

The Bullet That Missed is a mystery about two murders: one in the past and one that hasn’t yet taken place. The residents of Cooper’s Chase Retirement Village are on the case, creating chaos and drama in their attempt to solve the crimes.Meanwhile ConnieJohnson runs a multi million dollar drugs gang from prison she finds it easy as guards are paid handsomely for their help. Bethany Waites was a brilliant young reporter who was investigating a big story on VAT fraud. The simple life is all well and good, but, in this moment, with a murder to investigate, and threatening texts arriving daily, Elizabeth realizes that she has missed trouble.” Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim find an old cold case that interests them, and they’d like to solve it. When they’re on the prowl, they’re going to get their way. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, she’s also dealing with a personal issue when someone from her past threatens her future. She’s reluctant to share this with her friends, but by keeping it to herself…is she putting them in danger? Not only do the mysteries keep on getting better but the character development has me feeling like these are friends of mine who I am catching up with whenever a new book gets released! The mysteries are complex, the characters vivid, and the whole thing is laced with warm humor and—remarkably, considering the body count—good feeling. Your next must-read mystery series.”