The Impossible Fortune

The Impossible Fortune (2025) Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club #5)

A year has passed since the last adventure of the Thursday Murder Club–and since Stephen’s death.

And Joyce’s daughter is getting married.

It’s at the wedding that the best man (having heard about the Thursday Murder Club from Paul) goes to Elizabeth for help.

“So where is the bomb now?” Elizabeth asks.

“Now?” says Nick. “I left it just where it was. I couldn’t stick it in the recycling.”

“You left it where it was? There is a live bomb still attached to your car?”

“I had a wedding to go to,” says Nick, motioning over his shoulder.

Elizabeth nods. “And if it should go off sometime today—bombs do, you know—you’ll be fine with it killing one of your neighbors?”

“I live on Hampton Road,” says Nick.

Elizabeth understands. Big houses, big grounds. If the bomb were to go off, the worst that would happen is that someone complained about the noise.

In the aftermath of that, Jason shows up at Ron’s place with Kendrick, saying Suzi had some things to deal with. Ron knows there’s something going on, but no one will tell him what.

How far are we from Fairhaven?” she asks.

“What?”

“From Fairhaven, Danny, what do you think? If someone was angry and driving fast. Twenty minutes?”

“What’s in Fairhaven?” Danny asks.

“My brother,” she says. “I just sent him the photo.”

We also get to see Bogdan, although less of Donna and Chris than in the past.

Donna can do a neat act of wide-eyed, hapless local copper, but this is a woman who has Bogdan, of all people, trailing in her wake. Woman to woman, Joanna has to respect that level of game.

As with the previous book, the story ranged far and wide, and I was never quite sure who the murderer was, and was (of course) worried the reveal would hurt someone.

But what I loved most was how funny it was.

You know women,” said Ron.

“Up to a point,” said Ibrahim.

Up to a point indeed.

Characters: Elizabeth Best, Joyce Meadowcroft, Ibrahim Arif, Ron Ritchie, Alan, Bogdan, Joanna Meadowcroft, Paul, Nick Silver, Holly Lewis, Danny Lloyd, Suzi Lloyd, Kendrick Lloyd, Jason Ritchie, Connie Johnson, Tia Malone, Davey Noakes, Robert Lord Townes, Karen Playfair, Gordon Playfair, Carlito, Donna De Freita, Paul Brett, Jasper, DCI Varma, Clive Baxter, Jill Usher, Frankie East, Bill Benson, Jeremy Jenkins, Jamie Usher

Cover by Richard Bravery

Publisher: Pamela Dorman

Rating: 8.5/10

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