Richard Osman delivers another captivating installment with The Impossible Fortune, the fifth book in his beloved Thursday Murder Club series. After four successful novels that have established Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron, and Ibrahim as literary icons, Osman faces the challenging task of keeping his elderly sleuths fresh and engaging. The result is a complex, emotionally resonant mystery that demonstrates both the series’ enduring appeal and the author’s evolving sophistication as a storyteller.
A Series That Continues to Evolve
Since the debut of The Thursday Murder Club in 2020, Osman has crafted a remarkable journey through Coopers Chase retirement village. The Man Who Died Twice (2021) expanded the world beyond the village walls, The Bullet That Missed (2022) deepened our emotional connection to the characters, and The Last Devil to Die (2023) raised the stakes considerably. The Impossible Fortune builds upon this foundation while introducing new layers of complexity that showcase Osman’s growth as a mystery writer.
The series has consistently balanced cozy mystery elements with surprisingly dark undertones, and this latest installment pushes that envelope further. While maintaining the warmth and humor that readers expect, Osman isn’t afraid to explore themes of domestic violence, family dysfunction, and the moral ambiguity of justice—territory that elevates the book beyond simple comfort reading.
Plot and Structure: Cryptocurrency Meets Classic Mystery
The Impossible Fortune centers around a substantial Bitcoin fortune worth hundreds of millions, hidden away and protected by an intricate code system. When Holly Lewis, a wedding guest with connections to this digital treasure, meets a violent end through a car bombing, the Thursday Murder Club finds itself drawn into a web of greed, betrayal, and hidden identities.
Osman’s plotting demonstrates remarkable sophistication in this outing. The cryptocurrency element feels both contemporary and organic to the story, never coming across as a gimmicky attempt to modernize the series. The mystery unfolds with deliberate pacing that allows for character development while maintaining genuine suspense. Multiple red herrings are skillfully woven throughout, but they feel earned rather than arbitrary.
The structure alternates between different character perspectives, giving readers insight into various members of the Thursday Murder Club while also exploring the broader cast. This approach allows Osman to develop subplots involving Ron’s family troubles, particularly concerning his daughter Suzi’s abusive relationship with Danny Lloyd, which adds emotional weight to the proceedings.
Character Development: Depth Beyond the Cozy Formula
One of The Impossible Fortune‘s greatest strengths lies in its character work. After four books, it would be easy for these characters to become caricatures of themselves, but Osman continues to find new facets to explore:
Joyce remains the series’ emotional anchor, but here she grapples with feelings of inadequacy compared to her more obviously talented friends. Her internal monologue reveals layers of insecurity beneath her cheerful exterior, making her more relatable and human.
Elizabeth, the former spy, faces her own limitations as she encounters adversaries who may be as skilled as herself. Her vulnerability feels genuine rather than manufactured, and her relationship with the group continues to evolve in meaningful ways.
Ron carries the heaviest emotional burden in this installment, dealing with family crisis while maintaining his role within the group. His storyline provides some of the book’s most powerful moments and demonstrates Osman’s ability to balance humor with genuine pathos.
Ibrahim continues to serve as the intellectual heart of the group, but his interactions with new characters, particularly Tia and Kendrick, reveal his nurturing nature and desire to protect the innocent.
The supporting cast has grown impressively rich over five books. Paul and Joanna’s relationship dynamics feel authentic, while characters like Bogdan, Connie Johnson, and Chris and Donna provide satisfying continuity and development.
Writing Style: Osman’s Distinctive Voice
Osman’s prose remains accessible and engaging, with his television background evident in the snappy dialogue and visual storytelling. His ability to shift between laugh-out-loud moments and genuine emotional resonance is particularly impressive in this installment. The author’s voice has matured since the first book, showing more confidence in handling darker material while preserving the series’ essential charm.
The pacing demonstrates careful construction, with action sequences balanced against quieter character moments. Osman’s use of multiple viewpoints allows for a rich tapestry of perspectives without becoming confusing or overwhelming. His descriptions of both Coopers Chase and the wider Sussex setting continue to feel lived-in and authentic.
Themes and Social Commentary
The Impossible Fortune explores several weighty themes beneath its entertainment value. The cryptocurrency plot serves as a vehicle for examining modern greed and the corrupting influence of extreme wealth. The domestic violence subplot is handled with sensitivity and realism, avoiding easy solutions while highlighting the complexities faced by abuse victims.
The book also examines the nature of justice and moral compromise. Several characters face situations where traditional legal channels prove inadequate, forcing them to consider more direct action. Osman navigates these moral gray areas thoughtfully, acknowledging the complexity without providing simple answers.
Family dynamics receive significant attention, particularly the ways that protective instincts can both unite and complicate relationships. Ron’s determination to shield his family, even at personal cost, provides emotional weight that grounds the more fantastical elements of the plot.
Mystery Elements: Classic Detection with Modern Twists
As a mystery novel, The Impossible Fortune succeeds on multiple levels. The central puzzle is genuinely challenging, with sufficient clues provided for attentive readers while maintaining fair play principles. Red herrings are deployed effectively without feeling manipulative, and the resolution feels both surprising and inevitable—the hallmark of strong mystery writing.
The investigation feels organic to the characters and their established relationships. Rather than artificially inserting the Thursday Murder Club into the case, Osman creates legitimate reasons for their involvement that flow naturally from the story. The interweaving of personal stakes with the broader mystery enhances both elements.
Areas for Improvement
While The Impossible Fortune represents strong work, it’s not without minor weaknesses. The cryptocurrency element, while well-integrated, occasionally requires exposition that can slow the narrative pace. Some readers may find certain plot coincidences stretch credibility, though this is perhaps inevitable in the cozy mystery genre.
The book’s length occasionally works against it, with certain subplots receiving perhaps more attention than strictly necessary. However, these moments often provide valuable character development, so the trade-off may be worthwhile for series fans.
Comparison with Similar Works
Readers who enjoy The Impossible Fortune might appreciate works by authors like Louise Penny, whose Inspector Gamache series similarly balances mystery with character development and social commentary. Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton offers comparable humor and amateur detection, while Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie novels provide similar sophistication in plotting.
For those interested in mysteries featuring older protagonists, Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series or Martha Grimes’ Richard Jury novels offer compelling alternatives, though neither quite matches Osman’s contemporary relevance and emotional accessibility.
Final Assessment
The Impossible Fortune confirms that the Thursday Murder Club series has genuine staying power. Rather than simply recycling familiar formulas, Osman continues to develop his characters and challenge both himself and his readers. The book succeeds as both an entertaining mystery and a thoughtful exploration of contemporary issues.
The novel demonstrates that cozy mysteries can tackle serious subjects without losing their essential warmth and humor. Osman’s ability to balance multiple tones and storylines while maintaining narrative coherence is impressive and suggests continued strong installments ahead.
For longtime series fans, The Impossible Fortune provides satisfying development of beloved characters while introducing compelling new elements. For newcomers, it offers an accessible entry point, though reading the earlier books will enhance appreciation of the character relationships and ongoing storylines.
The Impossible Fortune stands as evidence that Richard Osman has created something genuinely special with the Thursday Murder Club series. It’s a book that respects its readers’ intelligence while providing genuine entertainment—a combination that remains surprisingly rare in contemporary fiction.
Recommended Similar Titles
For Thursday Murder Club fans:
- The Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny – Similar blend of character development and mystery
- The Flavia de Luce Series by Alan Bradley – Clever detection with distinctive voice
- The Jackson Brodie Series by Kate Atkinson – Complex plotting with emotional depth
For cozy mystery enthusiasts:
- The Agatha Raisin Series by M.C. Beaton – Amateur detection with humor
- The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith – Character-driven mysteries with heart
- The Cat Who Series by Lilian Jackson Braun – Gentle mysteries with community focus
