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Quick answer: If you loved The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, try The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M. C. Beaton, The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto.
The Thursday Murder Club became a huge bestseller and a Netflix film. The books below share its cozy settings, amateur sleuths, older heroes, gentle humor and clever puzzles. They’re perfect for readers who love a mystery without too much gore.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love The Thursday Murder Club
The Thursday Murder Club follows four friends in a retirement village, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, who meet weekly to discuss unsolved crimes until a real murder happens on their doorstep. Richard Osman’s debut is funny, warm and surprisingly moving, with clever twists and characters who prove that age is no barrier to adventure. If you loved the humor, the friendship or the puzzle, these cozy mysteries fit.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about The Thursday Murder Club: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Man Who Died Twice | Richard Osman | Cozy mystery | Continuing the club |
| The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency | Alexander McCall Smith | Cozy mystery | Gentle humor |
| Magpie Murders | Anthony Horowitz | Mystery | Clever puzzles |
| Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death | M. C. Beaton | Cozy mystery | Funny amateur sleuths |
| The Murder at the Vicarage | Agatha Christie | Classic mystery | The original older sleuth |
| Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers | Jesse Q. Sutanto | Cozy mystery | Feisty older heroines |
| The Appeal | Janice Hallett | Mystery | Clever formats |
| The Maid | Nita Prose | Mystery | Unusual heroes |
| A Three Dog Problem | S. J. Bennett | Cozy mystery | Royal sleuths |
| Death and Croissants | Ian Moore | Cozy mystery | French village mysteries |
| The Cat Who Could Read Backwards | Lilian Jackson Braun | Cozy mystery | Cats and mysteries |
| Death at the Seaside | Frances Brody | Cozy mystery | Historical cozies |
| The Last Devil to Die | Richard Osman | Cozy mystery | More of the club |
| Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day | Winifred Watson | Comic novel | Feel-good fun |
| The Postscript Murders | Elly Griffiths | Mystery | Unlikely detectives |
1. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Elizabeth’s ex-husband turns up with stolen diamonds and danger. It’s just as funny.
2. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Precious Ramotswe opens Botswana’s first female-run detective agency. It’s warm and charming.
3. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
An editor finds a real murder hidden in a mystery manuscript. It’s a mystery within a mystery.
4. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M. C. Beaton
A retired PR executive investigates a poisoning in a Cotswolds village.
5. The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
Miss Marple’s first novel. She’s the inspiration for countless cozy detectives.
6. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
A nosy tea shop owner investigates a death in her shop. It’s hilarious.
7. The Appeal by Janice Hallett
A murder mystery told entirely through emails and messages in an amateur theater group.
8. The Maid by Nita Prose
A hotel maid who sees the world differently becomes a murder suspect.
9. A Three Dog Problem by S. J. Bennett
Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes. It’s charming and fun.
10. Death and Croissants by Ian Moore
A British B&B owner in France investigates a disappearance.
11. The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun
A journalist and his clever Siamese cat solve crimes.
12. Death at the Seaside by Frances Brody
A 1920s widow turned detective investigates in Yorkshire.
13. The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
The fourth book is the most emotional yet.
14. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson
A shy governess has one life-changing day. It’s not a mystery but shares the warmth.
15. The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths
A caregiver, a monk and a detective investigate a 90-year-old woman’s death.
How to Pick Your Next Cozy Mystery
- Read the series in order. The Thursday Murder Club books build on each other.
- Want gentle humor? The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.
- Want a clever puzzle? Magpie Murders and The Appeal.
- Want classics? Miss Marple.
- Want feisty older women? Vera Wong and Agatha Raisin.
- Watch the film. The Netflix adaptation pairs well with the book.
Cozy Mysteries for Every Mood
Cozy mysteries keep the violence offstage and focus on puzzles, quirky characters and community. If you want more laughs, try Richard Osman’s sequels or Agatha Raisin. If you want something gentler, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is perfect. And if you’d like a slightly darker puzzle with the same cleverness, try Magpie Murders or The Appeal. Many cozy series are long, so if you find one you love, you’ll have plenty to read.
Related: The Thursday Murder Club book club discussion questions and best thriller books for book clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I read after The Thursday Murder Club?
Read The Man Who Died Twice, then try The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Magpie Murders or Agatha Raisin.
What order are the Thursday Murder Club books?
The Thursday Murder Club, The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed and The Last Devil to Die.
What is a cozy mystery?
A cozy mystery features an amateur sleuth, a close-knit community and little on-page violence.