Similar Authors to Richard Osman
1. Alexander McCall Smith - Known for The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, his books feature gentle humour, charming characters, and cosy mysteries, similar to Osman's style.
2. Agatha Christie - The queen of mystery, Christie’s books, particularly the Miss Marple series, have a similar charm with an amateur detective solving intricate puzzles.
3. Anthony Horowitz - Author of The Magpie Murders and The Word is Murder, Horowitz combines classic whodunit elements with modern twists, often with a playful tone.
4. Hannah Hendy - Known for The Dinner Lady Detectives series, Hendy shares a charming similarity with Richard Osman’s work with their cosy mysteries and relatable characters. Both set their mysteries in a familiar, everyday setting - a school canteen and retirement home - where ordinary people find themselves wrapped up in solving crimes.
5. Janice Hallett - Known for the bestselling debut The Appeal, her books feature clever, engaging mysteries with unique storytelling techniques, often incorporating humour and quirky characters.
6. JD Kirk - While Kirk's novels lean more towards police procedurals set in the Scottish Highlands, they maintain a light-hearted tone amidst the darker themes, much like Osman's cosy mysteries. Both authors craft stories that are rich in local flavour and populated with quirky, endearing characters who add warmth and depth to the crime-solving process.
7. J M Hall - Hall’s novels are reminiscent of The Thursday Murder Club in their cosy, community-based mystery setting with their focus on an unlikely group of amateur sleuths.
8. Robin Stevens - Author of the Murder Most Unladylike mysteries, Stevens’ books blend mystery, humour, and engaging characters, much like Osman. Whether the sleuths are schoolgirls or retirees, both authors bring a unique and endearing perspective to crime-solving.
9. Steve Cavanagh - Like Osman, Cavanagh crafts intricate plots filled with unexpected twists, but he adds a legal thriller spin to his stories, centring around his con-artist-turned lawyer protagonist, Eddie Flynn. Both authors stand out in creating compelling, page-turning narratives with a strong sense of character, balancing tension with moments of humour.
All of these authors offer a mix of cosy mysteries, humour, and engaging characters, much like The Thursday Murder Club.
Books Like The Thursday Murder Club Series
Why we love it:
- A masterclass in suspense, filled with unexpected twists in true Cavanagh style.
- It’s fast-paced with constant tension, making it hard to put down.
Steve Cavanagh’s standalone novel, Kill for Me Kill for You, sees two strangers meet by chance and discover that they both suffered personal losses at the hands of others. They strike a deal to kill each other’s enemies, believing this will free them from their torment. As they carry out their dark pact, the lines between victim and villain blur, leading to a suspenseful, twist-filled narrative where nothing is as it seems. While Cavanagh's books are often darker in tone, fans of Osman's clever storytelling and well-drawn characters will likely find a similar appeal in Cavanagh's fast-paced thrillers.
Why we love it:
- It’s a clever mystery filled with red herrings and surprise twists.
- The characters’ charming camaraderie and relatable quirks add warmth to the mystery.
A Clock Stopped Dead follows a trio of retired school teachers who love solving mysteries in their small English town. The story begins when an old friend of theirs, a clock repairer named Percy, suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover secrets, hidden relationships, and a web of intrigue that goes far beyond their quiet community. The novel is a cosy, character-driven mystery that balances suspense with the heartwarming dynamics of lifelong friendships and is perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club.
Why we love it:
- Margery and Clementine are far from your typical detectives, making it a fresh and humorous story.
- The plot is cleverly crafted and perfect for readers who love solving puzzles.
The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy is set in the small, fictional Welsh town of Dewstow, where school dinner ladies Margery and Clementine stumble into the world of amateur sleuthing. When their quiet routine is disrupted by the sudden death of a teacher, the two friends begin to suspect foul play, especially as strange events start unfolding around the school. With their unique position at the school, Margery and Clementine start to piece together clues that the authorities have overlooked. This crime-fiction combines cosy mystery elements with humour, offering a light-hearted yet engaging read to get stuck into after reading Richard Osman.
Why we love it:
- Walters’ writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a quick and enjoyable read.
- The charming cast of characters, especially the protagonist, Nancy Hunter, are likeable and carry the story.
Victoria Walters’ first book in her Dedley End Mysteries series, Murder at the House on the Hill, follows a group of individuals invited to a secluded mansion for the weekend. What starts as a seemingly ordinary retreat quickly turns sinister when one of the guests is found murdered. As a storm isolates the mansion, the remaining guests are trapped with a killer among them. Both Walters and Osman emphasise the importance of community and the relationships between characters in their stories. In Murder at the House on the Hill, the dynamics within the village of Dedley End and the interactions between the characters play a significant role, much like the camaraderie in Osman's books.
Why we love it:
- The charming setting and dynamic between the two protagonists, with their contrasting personalities, adds depth to the story and makes for a heartwarming read.
- The mystery itself is clever and engaging.
The story is set in 1934 at a prestigious English boarding school and follows two schoolgirls, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, who form their own detective society. The mystery begins when Hazel discovers the dead body of their science teacher, Miss Bell, in the school gym. She runs to find Daisy, but when they return, the body is gone. The plot combines elements of a classic whodunit with the charm and challenges of life in a 1930s boarding school, making for a gripping and engaging read, with the dynamic of the two young protagonists reminiscent of the camaraderie with the Thursday Murder Club.
Why we love it:
- The quaint village atmosphere is richly portrayed, adding to the cosy and immersive mystery.
- A well-crafted plot with twists and turns keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
This sequel to Murder Before Evensong centres around another murder that disrupts the peaceful life of the village. Our amateur detective, Canon Clement, is drawn in when a prominent local figure is found dead under suspicious circumstances. The murder shakes the close-knit community, bringing to light hidden tensions, secrets, and rivalries among the villagers. This cosy mystery is similar to The Thursday Murder Club in the way that it puts community at the heart of the story whilst blending humour, warmth, and suspense.
Why we love it:
- It keeps you on the edge of your seat with the gripping and twist-filled plot.
- DCI Logan is a well-developed character with a troubled past, adding depth to the narrative.
A Litter of Bones by JD Kirk is the first book in the DCI Logan crime thriller series. The gripping novel follows Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Jack Logan as he is pulled back into a case that haunts him from his past. Years ago, DCI Logan captured a notorious child serial killer known as “Mister Whisper”. However, when a young boy goes missing in the Scottish Highlands under eerily similar circumstances, Logan is called to investigate, fearing that a copycat killer is on the loose — or worse, that he caught the wrong man before. Whilst darker than Richard Osman’s books, it’s a page-turning mystery that includes moments of humour and human connection that provide relief from the tension, keeping the story balanced.
Happy Reading
If you’re a fan of The Thursday Murder Club, there’s a wealth of books that offer a similar blend of compelling mysteries, engaging characters, and charming settings. Whether you’re drawn to the cosy village life, enjoy a touch of humour with your suspense, or appreciate protagonists with depth and personality, these books provide all that and more. Reading these recommendations will not only satisfy your craving for clever whodunits, but also introduce you to new, intriguing worlds and unforgettable sleuths. Happy reading!
