Perhaps you already enjoy your crime novels with a dose of Osman humour but want a little more action than the residents of Coopers Chase Retirement Village can provide? Then meet Amy Wheeler, a bodyguard who would rather shoot first so as not to have to ask questions later. She pairs with her father-in-law, Steve Wheeler, in this first novel of a new series.

In a neat segue from the ‘Thursday Murder Club’ series, Steve, an elderly ex-cop, sits by a pond in the village of Axley talking to his dead wife. Meanwhile, on an island off South Carolina, Amy is minding author Rosie D’Antonio whose life is threatened by a Russian billionaire she insulted in her last book. However, it’s Amy’s life that is threatened in a plot involving money laundering by social media influencers lured into service by the mysterious François Loubet. These influencers are found dead, and Amy is implicated by both her location and her blood at the crime scene. Amy reasons that her employers must be involved and co-opts Steve into helping her both stay alive and solve the murders, and has the help of Rosie and her deep pockets.

What follows is a chase across the globe, from South Carolina to St Lucia, Ireland and Dubai, with a stopover in Steve’s village in the New Forest to attend the pub’s quiz night – a much more vital diversion than first thought. This new trio is a tremendous addition to Osman’s portfolio.

Reviewed by Bob Moore

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard Osman is an author, producer, and television presenter. Each of his novels, The Thursday Murder Club, The Man Who Died Twice, and The Bullet That Missed were number one, million-copy international bestsellers as well as New York Times bestsellers. He lives in London with his wife Ingrid and Liesl the cat.

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