I admit that I love The Thursday Murder Club (and the rest of the series), so anything by Richard Osman was bound to get more than a passing glance from me. This story took me a couple of chapters to get into. I'm not sure if it was because it was a writer I enjoy, but with completely new characters and setting, or if I just needed to get into the right headspace to let go of reality and sink into the plot. Whatever it was that was holding me back, once I was around 50 pages in, I was hooked.
It really seems to be such an odd couple. A take-charge young woman who works as private security for VIPs and a retired police officer would probably not have much in common if they didn't happen to be father-in-law and daughter-in-law. But when Amy learns that 3 recent clients have all been killed in suspicious ways while she was nearby on other assignments, suddenly Steve is her best choice for an ally.
Mix in the best-selling author that Amy is currently guarding (who insists on sticking with Amy as she tries to investigate who is framing her), Steve's friends from his pub quiz team, and a few contacts they make as they globetrot after answers, and you have quite a range of personalities. Betrayals, native guides, helpful TSA agents, wandering ponies, things just keep piling on from page to page. By the time you reach the end, you will feel that you need some time in a spa to relax and not try to think anything complex for a while. But it will be worth it.
Obviously it reminded me of The Thursday Murder Club because of the writing. It also felt a bit like The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen with a woman having to look through her past for clues about who is after her now, or Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn for similar reasons. If you like any of those authors or titles, you will enjoy We Solve Murders and be on the lookout for the second book in the series.
I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.
