The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman

 

                                                     

Hardback:   408 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Humour

Publisher: Penguin Random House 2022

Source:  Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: Bethany Waites understands there is no going back now. Time to be brave and to see how this all plays out

Review Quote: Humour is gently threaded through every element ― Observer

My Opinion:

I was wary of reading Richard Osman’s first novel in 2021, as it was not really a genre of choice. His wit had me laughing out loud though and I have throughly enjoyed in the now three novels getting to know ‘ The Thursday Murder Club’

All the characters are first rate as the author writes in a very character driven style and the reader really feels they are getting to know their quirky personalities. In the “Bullet That Missed’ the protagonists are all back, plus a few new faces. This time the case is an unsolved murder, from ten years ago. It did not make sense then and of course still doesn’t!  It certainly gives Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim the opportunity to get themselves into some ridiculous situations whilst attempting to solve the case, but that is all part of the fun with these stories.

Once again Richard Osman has written a light hearted and entertaining novel, perfect for mystery or humour fans.

My Reviews The Thursday Murder Club   The Man Who Died Twice

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

A new mystery is afoot in the third book in the Thursday Murder Club series from million-copy bestselling author Richard Osman.

It is an ordinary Thursday, and things should finally be returning to normal. Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club are concerned. A decade-old cold case--their favorite kind--leads them to a local news legend and a murder with no body and no answers.

Then a new foe pays Elizabeth a visit. Her mission? Kill or be killed. Suddenly the cold case has become red hot.

While Elizabeth wrestles with her conscience (and a gun), Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim chase down the clues with help from old friends and new. But can the gang solve the mystery and save Elizabeth before the murderer strikes again?

From an upmarket spa to a prison cell complete with espresso machine to a luxury penthouse high in the sky, this third adventure of the Thursday Murder Club is full of the cleverness, intrigue, and irresistible charm that readers have come to expect from Richard Osman's bestselling series.

Author Profile:         

Courtesy of  Goodreads

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Richard Osman was born in Billericay, Essex, England on  November 28, 1970. He is now well known as an author, producer and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club was his first novel. He is well known for TV shows including Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. As the creative director of Endemol UK, Richard has worked as an executive producer on numerous shows including Deal Or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is also a regular on panel and game shows such as Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You and Taskmaster.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page   Goodreads Author Profile  Twitter - Richard Osman

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

                                          

Hardback:  386 pages      

Genre: Fiction                                           

Publisher:  Doubleday 2022

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentence: Back in 1961, when women wore shirtwaist dresses and joined garden clubs and drove legions of children around in seatbelt-less cars without giving it a second thought; back before anyone knew there'd even be a sixties movement, much less one that its participants would spend the next sixty years chronicling; back when the big wars were over and the secret wars had just begun and people were starting to think fresh and believe everything was possible, the thirty year old mother of Madeline Zott rose before dawn every morning and felt certain of one thing: her life was over. 

Review Quote: 'Sparky, rip-roaring, funny, with big-hearted fully formed, loveable characters'SUNDAY TIMES

Favourite Quote: “(On religion) "I think it lets us off the hook. I think it teaches us that nothing is really our fault; that something or someone else is pulling the strings; the ultimately, we're not to blame for the way things are; that to improve things, we should pray. But the truth is, we are very much responsible for the badness in the world. And we have the power to fix it.” ― Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry

Literary award:

British Book Award Nominee for Début Fiction (2023), Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) for International Book (2023), Goodreads Choice Award for Debut Novel and Nominee for Historical Fiction (2022), Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize Nomineefor Shortlist (2022)

Setting: California,  USA

My Opinion: 

This was so different from anything I have read recently. I doubt it is a title I would have picked up had it not been for the fact that I seemed to be in the minority not having read it, or raving about it, so decided I should maybe give it a try. It seems I joined the party rather late, but I’m so glad I did.

The protagonist is Elizabeth Mott, a research chemist, trying to make her way in life in fifties/sixties America. A time when women were very much still suffering from the sexist attitudes to women having careers outside the home.

The plot is crazy as are the characters but it is achingly funny and well worth reading.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

 'Your ability to change everything - including yourself - starts here' ELIZABETH ZOTT-------------

Set in 1960s California; Lessons In Chemistry is the brilliant, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is derailed by the idea that a woman's place is in the home - something she most definitely does not believe - only to find herself the star of America's best-loved TV cooking show. 
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Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing.

But it's the 1960s, and despite the fact that she is a scientist, her male peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality. The only good thing to happen on her road to professional fulfilment is a run-in with famous colleague Calvin Evans, legend and Nobel nominee. He's also awkward, kind and tenacious. Theirs is true chemistry.

But life is never predictable and three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother and star of America's best loved cooking show Supper at Six. Her singular approach to cooking - 'take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride' - and empowering message prove revolutionary. Because Elizabeth isn't just teaching housewives how to cook, but how to change their lives.

Meet the unconventional, uncompromising Elizabeth Zott

Author Profile:                

                                                                                         

                      Courtesy of Authors Website

Bonnie Garmus is a copywriter and creative director who’s worked widely in the fields of technology, medicine, and education. She’s an open-water swimmer, a rower, and mother to two pretty amazing daughters. Born in California and most recently from Seattle, she currently lives in London with her husband and her dog, 99.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Author Official Website.  Twitter Profile    Bonnie Garmus - Goodreads

Amazon Author Profile

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

                                                    

Paperback:  416 pages      

Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense                                         

Publisher:  Harper Collins 2022

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: His fingers hover over the keyboard. Got to get it all down. This: this is the story that's going to make his name.

Review Quote: "A brilliantly twisty thriller that keeps the reader guessing right to the end." -- Irish Times

Literary Awards:

British Book Award Nominee for Crime and Thriller (2023), Audie Award Nominee for Thriller/Suspense (2023), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Mystery & Thriller (2022)

Setting: Paris, France

My Opinion: An atmospheric murder mystery with some unique characters. 

Short and snappy chapters that keep you reading and guessing. The protagonist is Jess who has gone to Paris to visit her brother. The problem is on her arrival he appears to have gone missing. It is Jess’s gutsy behaviour that keeps the storyline moving in this intriguing read.

Recommended for classic mystery fans.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads

Welcome to No.12 rue des Amants
A beautiful old apartment block, far from the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower and the bustling banks of the Seine.

Where nothing goes unseen, and everyone has a story to unlock.

The watchful concierge
The scorned lover
The prying journalist
The naïve student
The unwanted guest

There was a murder here last night.
A mystery lies behind the door of apartment three.

Who holds the key?

Author Profile:                

                                           

                                                      Courtesy of Goodreads

Lucy Foley was born in 1986 in England. She studies literature at UCL, London and Durham Universities. She worked in publishing as a fiction editor, before becoming a full time writer. She is  now the author of five novels and is currently living in London.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Lucy Foley Author - Facebook.   Twitter - Lucy Foley