Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 23/04/2022
Cover:
A simple design with striking red accents that make it easy on the eye and fitting for the genre. While I am not sure why there is an illustration of a fox, it is cute enough that I do not mind.
Writing:
The opening lines effortlessly captured my attention and set the tone for the entire story. I soon found myself engaged and invested in the story because of the subtle humour and clever use of cliffhangers at the end of most chapters. I also enjoyed the multiple points of view as each had a distinct and realistic voice. However, the writing failed to create much tension or suspense despite the rising death toll. This, together with the simplicity of the writing style, made the mystery aspect of the story less gripping.
People without a sense of humour will never forgive you for being funny.
Storyline:
The character-driven storyline revolves around several endearing and well-developed characters. The fact that most of these characters are senior citizens only made them more fascinating as they present a narrative I do not come across very often. Their distinct backstories and traits made them relatable and easy to connect with. However, the characters are prone to going off on tangents. While I initially found this cute and relatable, the constant flow of unnecessary information soon became tiring.
In contrast to the great characters, the mystery aspect of the storyline was underwhelming. The progress was painfully slow, despite the twists and shocking revelations. There is also a need to suspend reality with the mystery as parts of it are simply unrealistic. Still, I was satisfied by how things played out, although I was not blown away.
Main character:
The loveable cast of main characters are well defined and distinct from each other. Their stories and lives are filled with many relatable and sweet moments that are well explored and delightful to read. In particular, I really enjoyed their sass, wit and ingenuity. There are also a few sombre moments that help showcase the complexity of the characters and provide points for readers to consider.
Secondary characters:
Besides the numerous main characters, there are a plethora of secondary characters – some of which I lost track of. I liked that these characters are generally well-developed despite being plot devices with specific parts to play in the story.
People get funny about corpses
At the end of the day, ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ is an easy, entertaining read. It made a great first impression, and I was soon fascinated by the fabulous cast of main characters. It is a shame that mystery aspect of the story moved at a tediously slow pace.
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