22 October 2026

I read The Thursday Murder Club in September 2023 after seeing so much fuss about the series on social media. Sadly, I found myself a little disappointed with the first book, so I avoided the second one until now. I only picked this one up because someone mentioned to me that the books get better as the series progresses. Well, I must agree! Book two was a much better read for me.

Despite the three-year gap since I read the first book, I quickly fell back into step with these characters and remembered all their little quirks. This time around, the Thursday Murder Club finds itself caught up in a case involving missing diamonds, old secrets and dangerous people. As always, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are not the sort to sit back and let someone else do all the investigating. They are soon on the case, calling on some old favourites to help them along the way.

Joyce and Ron remain my favourite characters. Joyce’s diary entries, which are included throughout the story (I honestly cannot remember whether they featured in the first book), are brilliant and had me laughing more than once. Her observations and the way she sees the world add so much humour to the story. Ron, meanwhile, brings his own brand of bluntness and charm, and the inclusion of his grandson adds a softer, more personal touch to the story.

Elizabeth remains a fascinating character who is always full of surprises. Just when you think you have her figured out, she reminds you that there is far more to her than meets the eye. I also enjoyed seeing Ibrahim deal with his insecurities following his hospital stay. It was lovely to see a more vulnerable side to him, which added another layer to his character.

What I enjoyed most about this book was how easily I became invested in the characters and their lives. While the mystery kept me guessing, it was the interactions between the members of the Thursday Murder Club that really made the story work for me. Their friendship, banter and determination to keep themselves busy make them such an entertaining group to spend time with. There is also a lovely balance between the humour and the more serious moments, which gives the story a little more heart than I expected.

This is not a particularly serious crime series, and perhaps that is exactly what I needed. I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the investigation and genuinely enjoyed spending time with these older characters. Maybe it is just me getting older, but I found myself appreciating them far more this time around!

Of course, now that I am finally invested in the series, there is no turning back. I have already bought copies of the next three books and am looking forward to seeing what Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim get up to next. I just need to find the time to squeeze them into my ever-growing TBR pile!

A much more enjoyable experience than the first book, and I am glad I gave this series another chance. Sometimes, it really is worth persevering!