by Richard Osman ★★★★☆
In the acknowledgements, author Richard Osman, most famous for The Thursday Murder Club series of books, writes, "You will have spotted in We Solve Murders that, although the world is new, my brain remains the same." Even if his name wasn't on the cover, it would not take the detective skills of any of Osman's characters to surmise that he had written this book. New characters, similar themes, and an almost identical tone make this an Osman novel through-and-through.
We Solve Murders introduces us to a trio of main characters: Amy Wheeler, a high-end bodyguard used by celebrities and influencers; Rosie D'Antonio, Amy's current assignment and "the world's bestselling novelist, 'if you don't count Lee Child'"; and Amy's father-in-law Steve Wheeler, a retired police officer living in Axley, England, who enjoys staying sharp by solving the occasional missing pet mystery or petty crime in his small town, as long as it doesn't impact his weekly pub quiz. When three separate influencers turn up dead—all of whom had previously been protected by Amy—our odd collection of characters must band together to get to the bottom of the murders before Amy is framed for them (or becomes a murder victim herself).
As with his previous books, Osman blends in plenty of humor and a casualness in the face of danger to create an undercurrent of levity throughout the novel. There are no white-knuckle scenes in We Solve Murders, although there are plenty that could be. Instead, Osman gives us unflappable characters far more likely to utter a one-liner than a terrified scream. He also builds some depth into our trio, whether it's the powerfully magnetic personality of Rosie ("Rosie is not irresistible to people because she is famous. She is famous because she is irresistible to people.") or Steve's commitment to his routine that only masks the pain he continues to carry as a widow ("The thing that is pulling him back to Axley is that groove in the sofa. That place that is the very shape of him. The place he has settled into so thoroughly over the years that it fits him exactly. And the thing resisting that pull is remembering that, not so long ago, there were two grooves in that sofa. And one has vanished, as if it were never there.")
The central mystery is fairly layered and will likely keep you guessing for much of the novel, but without taking anything away from a mystery that is more tautly constructed than many, the reason to read We Solve Murders (and any Osman book, in my opinion) is for the character development and Osman's sense of humor. There are plenty of chuckles to be had in this one, and a fair smattering of "awwwwws" in the more sentimental moments. If you liked The Thursday Murder Club series, you will certainly enjoy this as well.
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