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 tried to read the first one. I was bored a couple of chapters in. Someone described them as Enid Blyton for adults. Kind of dumbed down crime. That is spot on, imo. I think I expected them to be funnier and clever.

I am a prolific reader and I enjoy them especially when i want an easy read, they are light, cosy and humorous imo.

I’ve only read the Thursday Murder Club but I felt he didn’t hold up his end of the deal with a detective novel. You should always be able to see the clues on a reread , but he goes for the twist with an extra fact out of thin air

I hate the Thursday Murder club books. The main female ex spy character is so smug and annoying but what really pissed me off was the almost romantic depiction of dementia. The chess playing husband who can offer murder insight in between bouts of forgetfulness. Having lost a parent to dementia only months before reading it, I was almost angry, it was such a load of bs. Terrible police procedure aswell.

However, We Solve Murders was v enjoyable.

Read the Thursday Murder Club, just didn’t enjoy it. The T-shirt a bit like asking why do people like his books. You either do or you don’t it’s choice.

I thought the dementia storyline was handled very well, despite also have lost a parent to dementia in very different circumstances quite recently. It would be a mistake to assume that one person's demential presentation is universal. I strongly suspect my mother's last months would have been very different if she had had my father around to support her.

The thing was they sold them to overseas markets without their knowing who he was, he was only well-known in the UK. The books are fun and have something about them, and they also have a very British, benevolent view of the world which is welcome right now. Clearly to many others around the world too. All power to his elbow.

It's ok for books to be fun and lightweight and not perfect.

I read the first one and found it dull as well, I couldn’t warm to it, and I also dislike “commercial literature” and stuff that is overly popular without really deserving it but I am a cultural snob and I also dislike things like bake off and strictly so what do I know. I also have a literature degree. I have very high standards with books / films / TV so I don’t watch or read stuff just because it’s popular. But anything that gets people reading is a good thing tbh.

Agree with this. I loved Lessons in Chemistry by the way!

I just found it very boring.

I had to read one for a book club. I found it quite boring, uninspiring characters and a bit cliched. There are so many great books out there, I just wouldn’t choose to read another one unless I had to again.

I've just read Queenie of Norwich which l enjoyed. I like a book which is based on a true story with not loads of characters in as l start to get confused 😂 any suggestions for simular books!

I've listen to the audiobooks which I think makes them better- they are very english privilege, jolly hockey sticks, establishement though so if that's not your thing you probably won't enjoy.

They are very cosy, very English, "Written for TV" a bit reminiscent of Father Brown. They seem as if they were written for the weekday afternoon tv audience... in between the local news and Escape to the country.

I guess it is no surprise they feel written by a producer not a writer.

But, we can be snobs sometimes about fiction for the mass market - on the shelves at Tesco, safe presents for nanas. Is he a literary giant? No, but the books have their place.

Father Brown was not written for TV…

I read a lot but I tried the first one and didn’t like it at all.

Same here. It was all a bit twee for me; the writing wasn't very engaging. To be honest, I've stopped reading celebrity authors other than Rob Rinder, who is not so bad - but I think it's his legal background that helps.

I am aware, but Mr Osman's books are reminiscent of that. Easily deliberately? adaptable for the afternoon slot.

Going against the grain here but I love them!

The film was awful, I stopped watching it.

First one was good, easy to read. Second one was alright. Then I began to get annoyed with his writing style- filled with waffle but mostly it was the plot holes and disappointing endings.

They are very ‘blah’. No depth to them or substance really. To me they are a holiday read but even then I find them quite dull.

‘English privilege’? Sure, the retirement village is very luxurious, but the main characters are a retired NHS nurse, an Egyptian immigrant, a retired trade union leader, two police, and a Polish builder…?

Yes except Enid Blyton's characters were always more likeable!

I read Thursday Murder Club and it was just so basic I felt. I don’t know the correct term to be honest but just not that interesting. I don’t think they’re written for intelligent people, more like a Mills and Boon 😂