The Bullet That Missed - Richard Osman

Published as an audiobook by Penguin Audio, 2022. Narrated by Fiona Shaw.
Book 3 in the 'Thursday Murder Club' series. Preceded by 'The Man Who Died Twice.' Followed by 'The Last Devil To Die.'

The third book in the Thursday Murder Club series begins to shift the status quo a little. Not only does it include a potential love interest for Ron and an old-flame for Elizabeth (there is also a potential love interest for Joyce but that is less unusual), but certain background realities - like Donna and Borden's developing relationship, and Steven's battle with dementia - are made more prominent, and particularly with the latter, begin to impact our characters (and the readers!) more than they have previously.

The murder investigation and main subplot are both less important on the whole than the ongoing growth and development of the main characters, and yet both of the plots also have interest. The gang is investigating the murder of Bethany Waites, a reporter who went missing while investigating money laundering. This involves interviewing a number of local celebrities, including television personality Mike Waghorn, and even going to the taping of a gameshow (both of which Joyce loves). The case takes a few unexpected turns, sets up a few suspicious characters, and has quite an interesting final resolution that left me pondering whether I enjoyed it or not...

Separately, the subplot (carrying on from the plots of the previous two books) has Elizabeth and Steven being kidnapped by a mysterious figure called 'The Viking', who demands that Elizabeth kill a former KGB officer or risk Joyce being killed in turn. This plot unfolds in a frankly bizarre manner, but once again, the world that Osman has built and the love we have for these characters carries the book through plot points that would otherwise stretch our credulity. Individual aspects might be unrealistic, but they still make sense for THIS world and THESE characters. 

Fiona Shaw takes over narrating duties, and although I prefer Lesley Manville (after all, I've had two books to get used to her style) Fiona does a good job at honouring Lesley's vocal choices while still putting her own spin on a few characters.

Still a really enjoyable series.

Completed 11 April 2025.



(Thursday Murder Club Series)


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