Richard Osman (The Thursday Murder Club) continues his winning lighthearted mystery ways with We Chase Shadows, a sequel to We Solve Murders. While The Thursday Murder Club series features four sleuths who have banded together in a retirement home, the We Solve Murders mysteries spotlight an unlikely trio who, in book two, have formed a detective agency using that name.
British novelist, TV producer and game show host Osman excels at creating amusing but lovable characters: in this case, bestselling and flamboyant novelist Rosie D’Antonio, retired cop Steve Wheeler and his daughter-in-law, Amy, who worked for years on dangerous private security details. Now that they’ve hired an office manager, Felicity, they’re hoping for their first official case—although so far, Felicity is twiddling her thumbs, “amazed at how few people actually need murders solving.”
And then, a case falls into their lap: A bodyguard has been killed while working for a man who deals in fake vitamins and medicines for the wellness industry. Vern Blackwood, the dealer, introduces himself as “a sort of criminal, but not really.” Regardless, the newly formed detective squad is thrilled. As Rosie notes, “This is very much more like it. An Italian villa, a corpse and a threatening note.”
Suddenly, the novel is off to the races, and the body count quickly climbs. The characters race from country to country, across Europe and into the U.S., investigating a group of Vern’s shady associates known as the Vegas Six. Osman excels at juggling a complex, ever-changing, brisk plot that will keep readers on their toes.
The engine that keeps this thriller going is Osman’s lovable trio, who each have their own concerns. Lonely Steve continues to mourn the death of his beloved wife, Debbie, while Rosie, who refuses to reveal her age to anyone, worries that she may finally be washed up as a novelist. Amy, whose first anniversary is approaching, worries that she and her husband never see each other because of the demands of their jobs. Often each sleuth is off on his or her own, with their different perspectives and adventures adding to the fun and excitement. Throughout, Osman continues to develop their personalities, typically in short, often hilarious sentences revealing their hopes and fears.
The surprises, thrills and laughs keep coming to the very end of We Chase Shadows, which will leave fans ready for this trio’s next adventure.
