Review: The Bullet That Missed (Thursday Murder Club, #3)
Gaby Meares
‘Spys are like dogs. They cannot stand a closed door.’
What a delight to be back in the company of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim as they investigate the murder of a brilliant young journalist, Bethany Waites ten years ago. She was investigating a massive VAT fraud before she was murdered.
Elizabeth and her husband Stephen are kidnapped and she’s given an ultimatum that she can’t refuse….or can she? Osman has created a wonderful mix of new characters, some of whom become unexpected allies to our intrepid investigators. I challenge you not to fall in love with ex-KGB operative, Viktor Illyich!
This is a cosy crime novel, and is not ashamed to wear that label loud and proud. There is a gentle humour throughout, and a tinge of melancholy as our characters face old man time and question some of their past decisions. As Jack Mason, a professional crook realises, he’s made a lot of money in his life, but not many friends. After a lifetime in crime, he realises that ‘your henchmen are not real friends’. Elizabeth struggles to come to terms with Stephen’s worsening alzheimers’ symptoms and tries to hide his condition from the rest of the gang.
However, there are a number of laugh out loud moments. A favourite is Joyce asking Elizabeth if she’s ever been on television, to which Elizabeth replies, ‘I was once called to give evidence to the Defence Selection Committee, but, legally, they had to blur my face. And I was once in a hostage video’.
The secret to the success of this series is the obvious affection that our gang all feel for each other. As Ron, who was involved in militant union demonstrations in his younger days, says about them, last time he had ‘a gang of friends like these, they were being hospitalised by police riot shields at the Wapping print-workers’ strike. Happy days’.
Happy days indeed. The Bullet that Missed (very clever title which has two meanings that will become clear as you read) is utterly entertaining.