Review: The Man Who Died Twice

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elizabeth's favors that she obtained from colleagues in the first Thursday Murder Club mystery are being traded for favors in return in this second book of the series. Steven, her husband, is sinking further into dementia. Joyce is as buoyant as ever and is developing new interests and activities. Bogdan is as hot as ever and more valuable than ever to helping the club solve several more murders. Donna succumbs to depression. Ron advances in importance as a character. David and Patrice continue their relationship. The characters are more fully developed in this book. One new character, Poppy, shares the name (and sweet personality) of my new cat! MI5 and MI6 are also involved in the escapades this time around.

I think that the character's thoughts and discussions of mortality, relationships, families and friendship make this series important to me. They remind me of the things I need to be reminded of. The mysteries are, for me, secondary to the relationships of the main characters. The new characters, why and how they exist in the lives of the main characters, why they left those lives and then returned, give us more insight to the residents of the retirement living complex. They enrich the commentary and back story of each person and are important for motivation.

“You must die before your children, of course, because you have taught them to live without you. But not your dog. You teach your dog only to live with you.”

I think of this so often because of Lucy, my beloved Lab. Too often, probably. It was jarring to have my fears clarified for me.

"What was it about him? The sense of extreme danger and absolute safety in the same man?"

This is precisely what attracted me to my late husband.

"People love to sleep, and yet they are so frightened of death."

Is the author inside my head? How often have I thought this of death? It is oddly comforting.

I only have one book more in the series, #3, The Bullet That Missed, until #4 is released in September.

Mr. Osman, please write faster.

Oh, and thank you for reminding me:

"If you don’t love yourself, who’s going to love you?"

My notes from this book.

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