We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
Whenever Richard Osman releases a murder mystery, readers know they are in for a clever, good time. In We Solve Murders, (Pamela Dorman Books), Osman creates a wacky trio on the run from a Russian oligarch and a stream of anonymous assassins. When the bullets fly, Osman keeps his readers guessing about who the shooter is and who is the intended target.
A Dangerous Assignment
The caper begins as a bodyguard, Amy Wheeler, is assigned to protect the octogenarian bestselling author and diva Rosie D’Antonio. In her latest book, Rosie mentions a Russian mafia king by name, and he is so annoyed that he has placed a hit on her life. To protect Rosie, Amy and Rosie are in hiding on Rosie’s private island off the coast of South Carolina, and then all hell breaks loose.
The police discover the body of a social media influencer on a nearby fishing boat, along with a satchel containing a million dollars. Clues planted at the crime scene suggest Amy’s involvement in the murder, although she is completely innocent of the crime. To make matters worse, she’s also being framed for the recent murders of two other influencers from the same media agency. But who is framing her and why?
When an attempt is made on Amy’s life, she and Rosie flee the island and hop aboard Rosie’s private jet to escape. Amy suspects the murders and the assassination attempt could be the handiwork of an infamous money launderer François Loubet, or the “presumed dead” boss of her security agency, or his former partner. The truth is no one knows the true identity of Loubert, but suspects abound. Loubert could even be a famous, self-absorbed movie star client, Max Highfield, the media agency owner, a Caribbean drug dealer, or a former disgruntled client.
Enter Steve, the Retired Cop
On the run for their lives, Amy enlists her father-in-law, Steve, a retired cop, who reluctantly agrees to join in the chase. Steve is a bit of a pathetic character. He mourns his dead wife, loves his pub quiz nights, and his best friend is a cat named Trouble. But he loves Amy, and she believes he possesses the skills to help solve the mysterious murder cases and restore her reputation.
The unlikely trio traipses around the globe, following the leads, which brings them closer to unmasking the mastermind behind the crimes. Is this investigation too complex for Amy, Rosie, and Steve to handle, or can they outsmart the killer?
As usual, Richard Osman makes murder fun. In We Solve Murders, even the premise of the story lends itself to a joke — “A bodyguard, an author, and a retired cop walk into a pub for quiz night.”
Witty, Flawed, and Fun
Osman has a knack for creating wonderfully flawed, but funny characters. His new wrecking crew is as wacky as the septuagenarian sleuths he created for the bestselling The Thursday Murder Club. Amy is an adrenaline junkie who loves her husband but loves her job more. Rosie is a sexpot who attempts to seduce any man in the room regardless of their age, and Steve is a homebody who fights any change in his familiar routine.
As they hunt for the killer, each contributes unique skills to the enterprise. Amy is a well-trained, ruthless killer. Rosie’s money and influence open doors, and Steve’s experience as a cop offers a professional perspective to the job. Together, they make one helluva team, and their witty banter “is to die for.” Readers will laugh out loud at this tongue-in-cheek romp around the world with Amy, Rosie and Steve. We all hope Osman gives them more opportunities to prove that solving murders is a family business.
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About Richard Osman:
Richard Osman is an author and television presenter. His novels, The Thursday Murder Club, The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, and The Last Devil to Die, were number one, million-copy international bestsellers as well as New York Times bestsellers. He lives in London with his wife, Ingrid, and Liesl the cat. We Solve Murders is his fifth novel. The movie adaptation for The Thursday Murder Club will start filming in 2024, produced by Amblin Entertainment.
