The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman

Richard Osman's third book in The Thursday Murder Club Series (the green one); 432 pages; Published by Penguin 11/05/23; Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.59 cm

This book has been calling to me from my huge ‘To Be Read’ (TBR) pile for so long having read the first two in the series of The Thursday Murder Club, and then receiving the fourth instalment in my 2023 Jólabókaflóð, which spurred me on to read The Bullet That Missed.

I read this title in that funny topsy turvy time between Yule and New Year when no-one knows what day it is. The trusty little fox that appears on all the covers in this series was good to see again and like many others have said in book reviews it's like seeing an old friend.

Sensory and technical points

From a sensory point of view, I love the colour of this book matching the others in the series, this being the green book. I find keeping the covers similar in a uniform way - formatting the same and then just having a different colour for each book another good way to remember where you are in the series.

Richard Osman’s books do stand out for me, and I do remember the author and title, but I might also refer to the books when talking to friends and family, “I've just read the third one, yes the one with the green cover”.  

I like that this series has the hardbacks and the paperbacks as the same cover making them easily recognisable and memorable.

This third instalment is just 16 pages shorter than the previous book. The paperback cover like the previous ones has a nice slight glossy feel to it and I like the emboss title which doesn't feel like one of those book covers where the title easily just rub off by minor handling.

This book is a standard size paper back book so it's it's uniform on a shelf alongside your other paperbacks however the overall thickness of this particular title is slightly over the 300- 400 page bracket so it is at the top end of a ‘standard’ thickness but it is not really noticeable on your bookshelf.  

As with a lot of titles by this publisher, they do use softer paper which doesn’t feel so harsh to the touch and it is also good on the eyes and not bright white, which some publishers prefer, and does not cause straining on the eyes. The book also has a more durable feel to it and is not quick to deteriorate on the ‘wear and tear’ front.

Plot points

Without giving too much away, The Thursday Murder Club is on to their next case and another attempt to solve a historic case, this one dating back 10 years. A journalist, possible suicide, body never found, local TV personality - was it murder?

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the first two instalments and sad I left it so long to get around to the third book. Having said that I'm a mood reader and it just felt the right time for me.

I felt this one was exciting, and it all played out in my head - I really could picture it. I read this in just two sittings, I did not rush it but due to how it is written I feel it just flows quite fast like a conversation or if you're watching it play out.

Also, Osman is an author I find has that has the skill of keeping the reader reading and not wanting to put the book down. There are reasonable page breaks and at end of chapters.

Cracking series and I look forward to The Last Devil To Die which is book four in The Thursday Murder Club series and this is the purple one.

Also check out the gorgeous wooden “Running Fox” by Holztiger in the photo. Recommended stockist is FairTrade and ethical suppliers of clothing, gifts, toys and household items, Babipur.