Why do people dislike Richard Osman books?

[poppymango]

I've read a couple of the Thursday Murder Club books, and I did enjoy them, though I do think they are slightly overrated. Certainly not the worst novel I've ever read, though (that honour goes to Dawn O'Porter!)

I've seen a lot of people saying that his books are just awful, and I'm wondering why. I wouldn't call myself a prolific reader and I'm not educated beyond secondary school level so I thought perhaps I'm missing something other people can see... something in the structure, character, writing style, plot? I'm really curious to know what it is that bothers people so much. I thought they were fun but harmless - and sometimes that's what you want in a book - but would love a perspective on this from someone who knows more about literature than I do.

I thought the first one was one of the worst books I’ve ever read. The plot was too complicated and the characters wooden.

I like the genre and wanted to like these books. But I couldn't get through the first one. The characters seemed like stereotypes, as if he'd tried to write something for TV. They were also annoying and boring.

I read lots of crime, thrillers etc and am a fast reader. Didn't like his first book, thought it was dull

I find them relaxing, I always have two books on the go - one lighter, one heavier.

I think it’s because famous people seem to easily enter the world of publishing, whereas few people without a known name can break in, no matter the quality of their work. The publishing industry has gone hugely downhill in the last few decades I think, churning out trash to sit on Tesco’s shelves that are written by someone off the telly.

I got about a quarter of the way through ans stopped it was a while ago now, not sure if it I couldnt keep up with the characters or the writing style

I am happy to read popular crime fiction i dont read high end 'literature' but the writing seemed all over the place from memory

They’re the sort of books that I should enjoy based on other books I like.

I tried the first one. Might read the rest if they bump off most of the prominent characters.

coming from someone with a policing background, they were incredibly inaccurate and badly researched, which I can put up with if the writing is good or the characters realistic or plot interesting, but it didn't really have any of those either.

I wouldn't say 'just awful' but I think people probably exaggerate both their like and dislike when it's a celeb author, dislike because they feel like they've been given an unfair leg up in the first place. Realistically if he wasn't famous I doubt they'd have been published.

I love them!!

They give off a patronising air. Characters so flat and enforce stereotypes in a way that makes me grumpy and yawn. I don’t want to read that. Read the first, won’t read any more.

Easy to write. Easy to read. Easy to sell.
He’s onto a formula that definitely works.

I prefer the later narrator to Lesley Manville. I found her too posh and it just didn't fit with the characters I had in my head from reading the first.

A poor man’s Agatha Christie.

Agatha is far superior.

I think in the later ones particularly the formula is too obvious - you can see the strings working. There are bits of them I really enjoy but overall it’s like someone analysed very carefully what makes a successful character/plot/novel and then put it together. Competent but never surprising.

That was exactly my experience. I only returned to reread the first book because two friends were so enthusiastic about it. Osman is such a clever and academic man yet his love and respect for these elderly people shine through and he does notice the little details.

I found them very dull tbh . They didn’t live up to the hype

Exactly. But, if it ain’t broken… David Walliams kids books would be the same deal (before he got into bother, of course!)

This is my view as well. I love reading and wanted to like his books as I love House of Games and his radio show .
Absolutely hated the book. Tried a couple of times.

I also hate Graham Norton’s writing. I’m less inclined to believe that he writes these himself than Richard Osman

Well, I only read one, and found it turgid.

The plot was ridiculous. And the "clues" to who did it....... leading you to Fred, then - Lo! But Fred has an alibi .....hang on, what about Joyce.......loads of clues, surely her......but No, suddenly, Joyce is blind, so she can't have done it......

Good writers weave subtle clues for all the characters and discard them bit by bit.....not one clump per character.

Also, they write so that you could get to the right answer, but you often just don't. If you re-read then you see all the bits you skimmed over.

Osman's "clues" hit you in the face - "Maude turned a corner, and there was Harold holding a gun, the same type as the one that killed Lance!". Then it turns out Harold collects guns and this is a replica. Yawn.

And....he really really should have been advised not to try to write in the female voice. The "diary" he did for the female character was excruciating. He made her sound vapid.

Phew. Glad I got that out.

Going to read the other replies now.

I have read the first one twice, I can't remember "who done it" (I seem to think the whole point was that it didn't matter?)

They're ok, but I have a lot of books on my "to read" list so they've not made their way to the top of the list.

Tried to read one. It was just really boring.

Books don’t get popular or fail because they are good or bad, OP. It’s marketing and only marketing. If you shove a book in front of enough people it will become a bestseller. That’s how blockbuster publishing works.

I like them for what they are - easy, comfortable reading. I was having a tricky time recently and found them a gentle distraction that didn’t require any brain power.

They’re boring with caricatures instead of characters.

Agree with everyone. Characters were just annoying and stereotypical. Unbelievable and generally irritating. Although I have to admit I'm not a fan of light fiction, so not the target audience. There are currently way too many celebrities releasing books, just because you can present/act/sing/are famous, doesn't a good author make.

I found the first one soooo dull. Seemed a good idea for a novel when I first heard the premise. But he lost the plot - quite literally.