Richard Osman’s new book

Sounds dreadful.

I admit that some of these types of novels can get a tad confusing. I have to slow my reading pace down a lot and re read parts in order to understand the plot completely. The second Thursday book was easier to understand. I love the strike novels , but it takes a re read to fully get the story as so many different characters and plots to piece together. I don’t think I’m particularly dim , but it’s just how I am with some books.

What was it that confused you? I mean, four people who live in a retirement community solving crimes isn’t exactly The Crying of Lot 49.

Sure, but they’re (1) hardly a new annoyance, and (2) Richard Osman is unlikely to have been personally responsible for the volume at which it was played in the OP’s local Sainsbury.

The second bizarre boast on this thread:

"I am too dim to understand the Richard Osman novel I read."

I really enjoy his books. But tannoy announcements are incredibly annoying.

If you've not even tried reading one, you don't know it's boring rubbish, and I would dispute that, as would his millions of other readers. I must be even more middlebrow than I thought because I've enjoyed all of Richard Osman's books to date. He doesn't aim to be Tolstoy. They're enjoyable fluff and none the worse for that.

Then you’re missing out on some truly astonishing writing.

I read widely through the centuries in three languages and still read contemporary novels. Richard Osman’s books are amiable, better-than-they-needed-to-be, warm-hearted cosy crime. He was a TV producer for years, and has a good sense of what will have mass appeal, but they’re certainly written seriously, and were ill-served by the dreadful film adaptation of the first one.

Especially ones with really short necks.

I'm impressed you got that far!

I read the first couple of his books but they were very very lightweight and went downhill very quickly.

I won't be buying any more.

I tried to read the first book and it really was a load of old tripe. And he loves to talk so seriously about his writing process, as though he's bloomin' Tolstoy. Feck you and your cosy crime shite, ya lanky bore.

Agreed! @InQuiresandplaceswheretheysing I persevered through the first one thinking it might just be me. Got to the end and thought "what a waste of time!". I gave it to an elderly neighbour and would never buy another of his.

One of the worst books I’ve ever read. Couldn’t make head or tail of it!

Tedious “cosy crime”, really really tedious.

I struggled with the first one, found the characters confusing and got bored. I then watched the film with Helen Mirren etc and went back and read the book again and really enjoyed it as I could put a face to the characters.

I'm now on the 4th one in the series.

I have to admit, I couldn’t finish the first Thursday murder club book. I got quite confused about who everyone was because I wasn’t paying attention to the characters due to them all being so boring.

I can’t remember the last time I read a book published in my lifetime.

What a strange boast.

Does no-one remember how this all started when Jamie Oliver was shackled to Sainsbury’s in the 2000s? You couldn’t go in to buy some oven chips without hearing him extol the virtues of healthy eating. Then there was Davina McCall and her menopause ads - it’s hardly new. Annoying but I just shrug and buy more chocolate.

@UncleTed , I actually quite like Richard Osman and find him interesting to listen to on The Rest is Entertainment podcast, but sadly I don’t like his books. (I tried, I really did. But one and a half was all I could manage).

Same here. I read the first one, well, I listened to the audio version, and ten minutes later, I couldn't remember whodunit.
Then, because I do like his podcast, I bought the second. And quickly realized my error.

Why do people always feel the need to be reading something published today? We’ve got three thousand years of literature behind us. I can’t remember the last time I read a book published in my lifetime. I am working my way through Iris Murdoch, P G Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh at the moment. Sainsbury’s can stick Osman’s boring rubbish.

They are actually quite good and a lot of fun. Ignore the “I’m far too clever and superior for popular reading” show offs!

Richard Osman is a hugely talented popular author. He writes middlebrow page-turners that are far better than they need to be. It's disingenuous to suggest he has sold millions and millions of books worldwide, and has his first optioned and produced for film by Stephen Spielberg because he is a daytime TV presenter in the UK.

I normally judge the quality of a book by how soon after publication a pristine copy or copies arrives in my local chazza, especially if it's before one gets to the local library.