What do you get when four retirees armed with wit, curiosity and a knack for puzzles decide to spend their afternoons solving cold cases? A global bestseller, a new kind of cozy mystery and our October PBS Books Readers Club pick!

Richard Osman’s “The Thursday Murder Club” has charmed millions of readers around the world, and this month we’re inviting you to read along with us.

Set in a quiet English retirement village, the story follows Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, four friends who meet weekly over tea to tackle unsolved crimes. But when a local developer is found dead, the group suddenly finds themselves in the middle of a very real, very dangerous investigation.

It’s clever. It’s funny. And it’s surprisingly moving. Beneath the playful premise lies a story about friendship, aging and second chances.

Osman’s gift is that he makes you laugh one minute, gasp the next and reflect on life all at once.

As Osman himself puts it, “When young people read the books, they say, ‘Thank you for making older people heroes.’ And whenever older people talk to me about the books, they will say, ‘Thank you for not making us heroes. Thank you for showing that we are flawed and naughty and mischievous and in pain and all of these things. Thanks for making us real.'”

That heart, mixed with sharp plotting and laugh-out-loud humor, is what makes “The Thursday Murder Club” the perfect book to curl up with as autumn sets in.

We’ll be sitting down with Richard Osman at 5 p.m. AZ/ 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, to talk about his writing process, the inspiration behind his quirky sleuths and why readers can’t get enough of “The Thursday Murder Club.”

To sign up for this free event:

RSVP on the PBS Books Facebook Event page

Subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel

Or visit the PBS Books Readers Club website to sign up today!

More about PBS Books Readers Club

Every month, the PBS Books Readers Club curates a selection of outstanding books and provides exclusive interviews with renowned authors. It’s the perfect community for book enthusiasts to connect and discover their next captivating read. Catch new episodes on the last Wednesday of each month via the PBS Books Facebook page, the PBS Books YouTube Channel, and the PBS app on your smart TV or device. Each episode pairs perfectly with your favorite PBS shows and features books that promise to be unforgettable. Members can access extended interviews with authors on Arizona PBS Passport and enjoy an on-demand library of quality public television programming. Additionally, subscribers receive a bi-monthly e-newsletter packed with exclusive interviews, engaging book-related articles, and more book recommendations. Tune in to our new digital video series, the Readers Club, for in-depth conversations with some of today’s most prolific and thought-provoking authors and PBS personalities.

Become a PBS Books Readers Club member; it’s free and easy to join!

Sign up for the PBS Books e-newsletter.

Don’t miss the PBS Books Readers Club Facebook group

The PBS Books Readers Club Facebook group is your go-to destination for everything literary. With a growing community of thousands, you’ll find an endless stream of discussions, recommendations, and bookish insights. We’re excited to offer this vibrant interactive platform where book lovers can engage in reading together, discuss their favorite reads, discover new recommendations, and chat with like-minded readers. Plus, you’ll have the chance to pose questions to featured authors and participate in lively book club conversations. Join us and be part of a thriving community of book enthusiasts.

Join the PBS Books Readers Club Facebook group.