We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman

We Chase Shadows is the second in the We Solve Murders series from Richard Osman. The detective agency We Solve Murders comprises ex-policeman Steve, his daughter-in-law Amy and best-selling novelist Rosie. They haven’t had many (okay, any) murders to solve since they set the company up six months earlier, which suits Steve just fine as he’d rather be sitting in the pubs with his pals. However, they are contacted by a new client whose bodyguard has just been found murdered outside his villa in the Italian hills. On his body is a signed threatening note but their client is adamant that the signatory couldn’t or wouldn’t have written it. The team set out to find out who killed the bodyguard and soon find they have more than one murder to investigate. While The Thursday Murder Club gang stay mostly close to home in Coopers Chase, the trio of detectives in We Chase Shadows find their investigations take them much further afield, often to very hot places much to Steve’s disgust!

Now, a book that’s full of murders shouldn’t be funny but this really is! I’m not really the biggest fan of crime fiction particularly if it’s quite graphic. However, I really enjoyed this book as the violence isn’t too detailed and there is plenty of humour in it. I’m not quite sure I’d describe the book as ‘cosy crime’ but it’s certainly not hard-nosed. Having said that, it’s a cleverly plotted book with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. It’s a fast paced read with short chapters moving between the perspectives of several characters, including the bad guys!

I thought We Chase Shadows was entertaining from start to finish. It was really engaging and I raced through it in just a couple of days. Richard Osman writes with wit and warmth and has created a fantastic cast of (mostly) likable characters. Much though I love The Thursday Murder Club, I am eager to read more about the We Solve Murders gang as well.

I don’t know who to thank at Viking for sending a proof copy my way but I’m very grateful. We Solve Murders was published in September and is available is hardback, digital and audiobook editions.

Full Book Details

At sunrise, high in the Italian hills, a body is found on the steps of a beautiful private villa. On the body is a threatening note, signed by a mystery man.

As Amy, Rosie and Steve get the ‘We Solve Murders’ business up and running, they leap at the chance to take on their first proper case. So what if their new client seems to have his own reasons for avoiding the police? All they need to do is uncover who left the note, and then find them. Simple.

But once they start digging, the suspects keep piling up. And as the trio chase a villain through the shadows, danger travels closer to home . . .

Between Italy and Palm Springs, via Barcelona and Steve’s village pub, can the team catch an elusive killer who knows EXACTLY where to hide?

About the Author

RICHARD OSMAN is an author, producer and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club novels are a record-breaking, multi-million-copy, bestselling series around the world. The movie adaptation for The Thursday Murder Club, produced by Amblin Entertainment, is available to watch on Netflix. His new series, We Solve Murders, featuring a brand-new detective trio, is also an international bestseller. Richard promises there are more books to come in both series. He lives in London with his wife, Ingrid, and their cats, Liesl and Lottie.