Richard Osman Books in Order: Thursday Murder Club Series Guide

If you’ve just discovered Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, you’re in for a treat — four retirees in a peaceful retirement village who stumble into murder investigations and steal the show in the process. The series debuted in 2020 with The Thursday Murder Club, which became the No. 1 bestselling Christmas title in the UK, a first for any debut novelist.

Books Published: 5 · Main Series: Thursday Murder Club · First Book: 2020 · Latest Book: The Impossible Fortune · Eye Condition: Retinitis Pigmentosa

In what order should I read Richard Osman books?

The Thursday Murder Club series is designed to be read in publication order, as each book continues the character arcs and ongoing plot threads established in previous entries. The good news is that both chronological and publication order are identical — Osman set the books in real-time from the start. Reading them sequentially allows you to follow Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce, and Ibrahim as their friendships deepen and their detective skills sharpen with each case.

Publication Order

Starting with The Thursday Murder Club (2020) introduces readers to the four main characters who meet Thursdays in their retirement home’s Jigsaw Room to discuss cold cases. The first book sold 45,000 copies in its first three days and was acquired by Penguin Random House after a 10-way publishing auction in 2019. Book two, The Man Who Died Twice (2021), brings Elizabeth’s former colleague into the spotlight, hunted by a mafia boss over £20 million worth of stolen diamonds.

“The Thursday Murder Club sold 45,000 copies in its first three days — a remarkable start for a debut novelist.” — Radio Times

Book three, The Bullet That Missed (2022), investigates the decade-old death of a journalist whose body was never found. Book four, The Last Devil to Die (2023), pulls the gang into the dark world of drug dealing and antiques fraud after a mutual friend is killed while protecting a mysterious package. The fifth entry, The Impossible Fortune (2025), centers around Joyce’s daughter’s wedding, where a guest asks Elizabeth for help and then disappears the next day.

Chronological Order

There is no divergence between publication order and chronological order for the main Thursday Murder Club series. Osman confirmed that The Impossible Fortune represents a small time jump from the end of book four, but this doesn’t create a need for out-of-order reading. The events flow naturally from one book to the next without flashback-heavy storytelling or non-linear narrative devices.

Do I need to read Thursday Murder Club in order?

Yes, reading the Thursday Murder Club books in order is strongly recommended. The series relies on ongoing character development and plot continuity that builds across the novels. Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce, and Ibrahim each have their own story arcs that unfold progressively — jumping in mid-series would mean missing context that enriches the later mysteries.

Series Structure

The four main characters meet weekly in their retirement home’s Jigsaw Room, poring over cold cases as a form of intellectual exercise. Elizabeth, the former intelligence operative, serves as the natural leader, while Ron’s former union boss connections, Joyce’s observational wisdom, and Ibrahim’s psychiatric background each contribute unique perspectives. Reading in order lets you appreciate how these relationships evolve and deepen.

Reading Recommendations

The Netflix adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club allows fans to experience the story visually, but it differs from the books in certain plot details. If you’re considering which format to start with, the books offer more depth in character interiority and case investigation. If you watch the film first, you can still read the books without feeling retold, as Osman has woven in new elements throughout.

The reading order matters for catching subtle character growth — by book four, you’ll find yourself genuinely worried about what happens to these people, not just their mysteries.

Is there a fifth Richard Osman book?

Yes, Richard Osman’s fifth Thursday Murder Club book, The Impossible Fortune, was published on 23rd September 2025 in the UK and on 30th September 2025 in the US. The series now stands at five entries, with Osman having established a pattern of releasing one Thursday Murder Club book per year. The fifth book shifts the setting from the usual retirement village to Joyce’s daughter’s wedding, where Elizabeth is approached by a guest who vanishes the next day.

Latest Release Details

The Impossible Fortune follows the Thursday Murder Club to a wedding celebration, introducing a new mystery when a guest seeks Elizabeth’s help and then disappears under mysterious circumstances. The book represents a small narrative shift — taking the sleuths outside their usual environment while maintaining the cozy mystery tone that has defined the series. Early reviews indicate the wedding setting adds a fresh backdrop to the familiar character dynamics.

Will there be a 6th Thursday Murder Club book?

Richard Osman has announced that Thursday Murder Club book 6 is in development, reportedly titled “The Truth in the Case.” While no official publication date has been confirmed, Osman has stated his intention to continue alternating between the Thursday Murder Club series and the We Solve Murders spin-off. Given the pattern of annual releases from 2020 to 2023, fans are hopeful for a 2026 announcement.

Announcements and Speculation

Osman’s plan to write a second We Solve Murders installment (titled We Chase Shadows) for publication in 2026 or 2027 suggests the Thursday Murder Club book 6 will likely follow in 2027 or 2028. Osman indicated in interviews that he intends to release one novel from each series each year, creating a continuous publishing schedule. The detective duo Steve and Amy Wheeler in We Solve Murders carry Osman’s signature warm humor, making this a promising parallel track for readers who want more from him.

Osman has essentially created a sustainable two-series publishing model. Readers who finish one series can move to the other while waiting for the next installment — no cliffhanger anxiety, just continuous reading pleasure.

What condition does Richard Osman have?

Richard Osman has retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition that causes progressive vision loss over time. He has spoken publicly about his condition, which affects his peripheral vision and night vision while typically preserving central vision longer. The condition is inherited and often progresses slowly, though the rate of vision loss varies significantly between individuals.

“I wanted to write something that made people feel better while they were reading it — especially people who maybe weren’t having the easiest time.” — Richard Osman, speaking to the Mail on Sunday about his motivation for writing

Details on Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa encompasses a group of rare eye disorders that cause cells in the retina to break down over time, leading to progressive vision loss. Symptoms usually begin with reduced night vision, followed by loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision), and eventually may affect central vision as well. Osman’s public disclosure has helped raise awareness of the condition, which affects approximately 1 in 4,000 people worldwide.

While retinitis pigmentosa is typically a progressive condition, the degree and speed of vision loss varies. Some people with the condition retain usable vision for many years or decades, while others experience more rapid deterioration. Regular ophthalmology monitoring helps track the condition’s progression.

The implication is that Osman’s visibility into his own writing life may shift over time, but his established publishing cadence suggests he has built a sustainable workflow that accounts for potential changes in his vision.

Related reading: Little House on the Prairie series

Beyond this overview, the complete Thursday Murder Club guide provides an equally detailed rundown of Richard Osman’s publication dates and spin-offs for fans.

Frequently asked questions

The publication dates show Osman maintained annual releases through 2023, with The Impossible Fortune arriving after the longest gap in the series.