Full Book Review of The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

Richard Osman is back with the fifth installment of his Thursday Murder Club Series, The Impossible Fortune. Check out my full book review below, including how this fifth book held up with to the others in this book series and further recommendations if you’re a fan of the series. 

Here’s a short synopsis of the book: 

“Who’s got time to think about murder when there’s a wedding to plan?

It’s been a quiet year for the Thursday Murder Club. Joyce is busy with table plans and first dances. Elizabeth is grieving. Ron is dealing with family troubles, and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favorite criminal.

But when Elizabeth meets Nick, a wedding guest asking for her help, she finds the thrill of the chase is ignited once again. And when Nick disappears without a trace, his cagey business partner becomes the gang’s next stop. It seems the duo have something valuable—something worth killing for.

Joyce’s daughter, Joanna, jumps into the fray to help the gang as they seek answers: Has someone kidnapped Nick? And what’s this uncrackable code they keep hearing about? Plunged back into action once more, can the four friends solve the puzzle and a murder in time?”

Need a reminder of what happened in the last book? I have a review and summary of the previous bookThe Last Devil to Die. Check out my review and summary of the first book, The Thursday Murder Club, my review and summary of the second book The Man Who Died Twice, and my review and summary of The Bullet that Missed, the third book in the series.

Full Book Review Without Spoilers 

I was excited to jump back into the fictional world of Coopers Chase with my favorite retirees/detectives, and this book did not disappoint. Like most of the other books in the series, I finished this book in only a few sittings because I couldn’t stop reading. Not only has Osman given us another head scratching mystery, he’s given us a new look at our favorite characters working through real life emotions and events. 

While this was not my favorite central mystery in the series, it was still a good mystery with a well-constructed answer that most readers probably overlooked. Osman’s writing has a way of lulling you into a comfortable spot of thinking you know what’s going on, but you end up somewhere entirely different by the end. The mystery itself didn’t interest me as much as what was going on with Ron’s family drama, but I liked how the two came together in the end. 

For longtime fans of the series, the best part of the book is the return of the Thursday Murder Club members going through some very real and emotional life events while also solving a mystery and taking down organized crime. I get more attached to these four main characters (and even some of the side characters) with each successive book, and at this point I’m invested in their lives. I couldn’t not read this one even if I heard it was bad (which it’s not!) because the characters feel like good friends. 

Amongst the Thursday Murder Club books, this one wasn’t my favorite, but it also wasn’t my least favorite. This book really added to the emotional depth and development of the main characters, but the mystery itself wasn’t as good as some of the other books. 

Characters

One of the best part of this book, like the previous books, is how well the main characters are written. If you’ve read the whole series up to this point, you’re probably just attached as I am to them, but we get to see a lot of character development in this one. And Osman is brilliant at writing unique and intriguing side characters that pull you into the story even more. 

Plot

The best part of this plot is that it’s actually two plot lines, one the new mystery and one Ron’s family troubles, that start separately but intertwine by the end. Like all Osman’s mysteries, the main plot is paced well and mysterious enough that you can’t stop reading. The whole thing is then brought together with a satisfying ending. 

Writing

For fans of the series, it’s no surprise that one of the best parts of the book is Osman’s writing style. The narrative structure, including the changing point of views, along with Osman’s characters make for such a well written murder mystery. And while keeping you guessing and trying to solve these major crimes, Osman also has you laughing. 

Full Book Review With Spoilers

You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. Continue on to the conclusion section to avoid them. 

Reading this fifth book in the series is like reading about people I know in real life at this point. And Osman delivers another great read with this new mystery and tangled web the members of the Thursday Murder Club get into. We get exciting new character development, our favorite recurring characters, and an ending I didn’t see coming.

I do wish we saw more of Donna, Bogdan, and Chris, but there is already lot going that you don’t notice it a ton. But the ending of this book tells us that there will be another at some point, so I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of everyone. 

Another part of this book (and the whole series really) that I love is the new characters that are introduced. Everyone brings something new to the story that makes it feel very real and also usually funnier for one reason or another. Osman’s greatest strength is writing his characters. 

I’ve been waiting for Connie Johnson to come back into the lives of the rest of gang, and I was pleasantly surprised at how the story ended up coming together to her and Ron. One of the favorite parts of the book was that Osman used their ending to help solve the mystery of the safe but also save Ron’s family. And it all really happened because of Ibrihim’s influence in their lives. 

Pros of the Book

The biggest pro for me in this book was the character development we saw in our main characters. There’s certain things that have been sitting on the back burner during the series (like the Connie and Ron storyline) that are woven into this one is such a satisfying way that ties in to the character development. At this point in the series, I’m attached to these characters and want to see this very real growth in them. 

As with all the books in the series, one of the best parts of the book is Osman’s writing. If you love mystery that not only has a great plot and intriguing suspects, but also lovable characters and laughable humor in it, he’s one of the best. The way he writes keeps you turning pages and having a great time while you’re doing it. 

Cons of the Book

I didn’t have any major complaints with the book, but the only small con for me was that this wasn’t my favorite of Osman’s plots. It was still a well written mystery with all the right amount of clues, red herrings, and suspense, but not as engrossing as some of the other books. 

Conclusion

If you’re read the series up to this point, I highly recommend reading this one. And if you’re just a fan of murder mysteries, I recommend the whole series. It’s another great addition to the series, although not my favorite of the five. 

I have a full summary of the book here if you need a refresher on any of the main points. 

Rating- 4 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book like I did the rest of the series, partially because I’m attached to the characters at this point and partially because it’s a good book itself. After finishing this one, I already want to read the next one whenever it comes out. 

Who Would Enjoy Reading? 

If you’re a fan of cozy mystery or a more laid back murder mystery, this a great series for you. The mystery itself is never too intense or scary, but the book is still a page-turner. This whole series is great if you’re a fan of classic detective novels like Agatha Christie. 

What to Read After The Impossible Fortune

If you liked this book as much as I did, either because of the characters or the writing style, check out more of my recommendations below.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

If you’re a big fan of this writing style, check out his new series. This one is very fresh and unique with the same great writing in it. So if you’re a fan of The Thursday Murder Club, this is a good place to go next.

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

If you like a good murder mystery that also makes you laugh, you have to try this one. This is an equally enticing mystery for you to puzzle out while also providing well written humor. I have a full review and summary of it. 

An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly

Looking for a new series that has the same feel as The Thursday Murder Club? Try this one!