Thursday Murder Club books in order is a simple list, and that is part of the charm. Richard Osman’s series follows four friends in a retirement village who meet every Thursday to investigate cold cases, and each book builds on the one before it.
There are five Thursday Murder Club novels so far, published between 2020 and 2025. This guide gives you the exact order, a short spoiler free note on each book and what to read next, including Osman’s separate We Solve Murders series.
Thursday Murder Club Books in Order
- 1. The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
- 2. The Man Who Died Twice (2021)
- 3. The Bullet That Missed (2022)
- 4. The Last Devil to Die (2023)
- 5. The Impossible Fortune (2025)
Read them in publication order. Each book has its own mystery, but the characters’ personal stories carry on from one novel to the next, so the series works best from the start.
Who Is in the Thursday Murder Club?
The series is set in Coopers Chase, a peaceful English retirement village. The club is made up of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron. Between them they have a surprising mix of skills and a lot of free time, and they are far sharper than anyone expects.
The books are cosy but not soft. They mix clever plotting and warm humour with real emotion, including some serious themes about ageing and loss. The first book was named among the Wall Street Journal’s 25 best mystery novels of the past 25 years in 2025.
Book by Book
1. The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
The club has been investigating cold cases for fun. Then a real murder happens close to home, and the four friends find themselves on a live case. It sets up the characters, the village and the tone, so start here. See it on Amazon US
2. The Man Who Died Twice (2021)
A letter from Elizabeth’s past pulls the group into a dangerous new case. It is more of a thriller than the first book, with more of the cast’s history. See it on Amazon UK
3. The Bullet That Missed (2022)
The club takes on a cold case involving a missing television journalist, while also facing danger of its own. See it on Amazon UK
4. The Last Devil to Die (2023)
The group investigates the death of an old friend. This book carries some of the series’ most significant emotional developments, so reading it fourth matters. See it on Amazon UK
5. The Impossible Fortune (2025)
Published on 30 September 2025, it is the newest Thursday Murder Club novel. The gang pulls together to track down a ruthless villain who wants an uncrackable code, after a year without a case.
What to Read After the Thursday Murder Club
We Solve Murders (2024)
We Solve Murders is a separate series with different main characters, so it is not book six of the Thursday Murder Club. It is a good next pick if you like Osman’s style but want a fresh setup. The second book, We Chase Shadows, was published in September 2026.
Other mysteries like it
If you love the classic English mystery feel, try Agatha Christie. See our Agatha Christie books in order for where to start. For twistier modern thrillers, see our Freida McFadden books in order and best psychological thriller books 2026.
Who Is Richard Osman?
Richard Osman is a British author, television producer and presenter, best known as the co host of the quiz show Pointless. His debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, broke records in the UK and began one of the most popular crime series of recent years. It has also been adapted into a film.
Which Order Should You Read In?
- Want the full experience: read in publication order, starting with book one.
- Want a quick taste: read book one, which is a complete mystery on its own.
- Finished the series: try We Solve Murders next.
- Prefer audio: the series is also popular in audiobook form.
A Quick Reading Plan
- Week one: read The Thursday Murder Club and meet the gang.
- Weeks two to four: read The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed and The Last Devil to Die.
- Then: finish with The Impossible Fortune, the newest book.
- After that: try We Solve Murders for a new set of characters.
Why Readers Love the Series
The books are warm, funny and clever. The four friends are older than most detectives in fiction, and the series treats them as capable, curious and full of life, not as figures of fun. That mix of humour and heart is a big reason the books are so widely recommended.
The plots are also properly puzzling, with enough twists to satisfy mystery fans. It is a series you can read for the whodunit or simply for the company of the characters.
Tips for First Time Readers
- Start with book one. It introduces the village and all four members of the club.
- Give the first few chapters time. The story moves between several viewpoints and then settles.
- Jot down the characters’ names if you read in short bursts.
- If you like audio, try the audiobook. Many readers enjoy hearing the characters’ voices.
- Do not skip ahead. The later books refer to events in the earlier ones.
Editions and prices change, so check the current price before you buy. Where an Amazon link is shown, it opens the edition we matched.
Further reading: Dead Good Books: Thursday Murder Club in order | Reading Order Books: Thursday Murder Club
Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read the Thursday Murder Club books in?
Read them in publication order: The Thursday Murder Club, The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, The Last Devil to Die and The Impossible Fortune.
How many Thursday Murder Club books are there?
There are five novels so far, published from 2020 to 2025.
Do I have to read the Thursday Murder Club books in order?
Each book has its own mystery, but the characters’ stories build across the series, so it is best to read in order.
Is We Solve Murders part of the Thursday Murder Club?
No. We Solve Murders is a separate series with different main characters.
What is the newest Richard Osman book?
The newest Thursday Murder Club novel is The Impossible Fortune (2025). His newest novel overall is We Chase Shadows, the second We Solve Murders book, published in September 2026.
