We Solve Murders

“The world economy can tank, fuel prices can rise, clubbers can stop listening to nineties trance music, and interest rates can go through the roof, but people will always want to murder other people.”

• Richard Osman, We Solve Murders
  
  Richard Osman does it again - this first part in a hopefully prolific series of exciting new adventures with exciting new characters was just a joy to read. The characters are full of whimsy and personality. Their banter and choices feel very real and always matter. Rosie was the real stand-out character to me! She's just too much fun. And as a Dutchie, I appreciate a Dutch character that actually has a realistically Dutch name and that isn't just a drugs dealer. I can forgive the milk drinking.
  
  The short chapters format really works. It made me feel like I was experiencing a two-hour BBC First special in book form. Which is, let me be clear, a good thing. Richard Osman provides many different perspectives in these short scenes - from the main characters to their friends to their opponents to annoying actors in desperate need of a reality check. This works really well, as it allows you as reader to understand these characters and why they do what they do. And it works well to keep you reading - ‘Just one more chapter!' is easy when the next chapter is five pages long. And the next ten. And oh well, why not another fifteen? I hope you get the gist. And that we, one day, may actually get the two-hour special for this book we deserve.