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I went into The Thursday Murder Club with fairly simple expectations. I’d heard it was charming. I’d heard it was funny. I knew it involved elderly sleuths, and I assumed it would be light, clever, and maybe a little predictable in a cozy-mystery way.
What I didn’t expect was how layered, clever, and genuinely absorbing it would be—especially as an audiobook.
This ended up being my first five-star read of 2026, and it caught me completely by surprise.
What I Expected vs. What I Actually Experienced
I expected a soft, pleasant mystery—something enjoyable but not especially memorable.
What I got instead was a story packed with twists, buried secrets, and misdirection that constantly made me rethink what I thought I understood. The humor never undercut the mystery, and the mystery never felt shallow just because the tone was warm.
There’s a quiet confidence in how the story unfolds. It doesn’t rush to prove how clever it is, but it is clever—over and over again.
How It Felt to Read (and Listen To)
I’m so glad I listened to this one rather than reading it physically.
The audiobook brings out the distinct personalities of the four main characters in a way that made them feel fully alive. The humor landed naturally, the emotional beats didn’t feel forced, and the pacing felt steady rather than slow.
This is one of those books where you think you know what’s happening—until you don’t. And then you realize the book has been quietly setting things up long before you noticed.
By the end, I felt both satisfied and excited, which is a rare combination in a mystery.
The Book vs. the Movie
My boyfriend wanted to watch the movie first, and I insisted we wait until I’d finished the book. I’m glad I did.
The movie is enjoyable, and I understand why changes had to be made for time. But the book is densely better. There are more twists, more character depth, and more secrets woven through the story. The book rewards your attention in a way the movie simply can’t replicate.
Watching the movie afterward felt like a companion experience—not a replacement.
Who This Book Is For
This book is a great fit if you:
- Enjoy murder mysteries that aren’t grim or graphic
- Like stories where humor and intelligence coexist
- Appreciate layered plotting with multiple reveals
- Enjoy character-driven mysteries that still respect the puzzle
Who It Might Not Be For
You may not love this if you:
- Want nonstop action or high-intensity suspense
- Prefer mysteries with a single, straight-line investigation
- Don’t enjoy stories that hold back information until the right moment
Final Thoughts
The Thursday Murder Club is clever without being smug, funny without being fluffy, and comforting without being dull. It feels thoughtfully constructed, deeply enjoyable, and surprisingly sharp.
I’m already looking forward to continuing the series—and that, to me, is always the clearest sign of a great mystery.
If you like a soft murder mystery with a touch of comedy and a lot of intelligence, this one is absolutely worth your time.
