A brand new crime series named We Solve Murders, created by Richard Osman, has been revealed following the massive triumph of his Thursday Murder Club books.

Unfortunately, the much-loved older detectives from the popular series by the Pointless presenter will be on hiatus for the time being. As the author explained, after the intense events of his latest novel, The Last Devil to Die, they deserve a break to unwind and recharge. However, they will make a return in 2025.

Meanwhile, the book We Solve Murders, coming out this fall, will introduce Steve and Amy Wheeler, a detective duo consisting of a father-in-law and daughter-in-law. The title is a nod to their detective agency, which they started after Amy, who works as a private security officer, stumbles upon a corpse and a bag of cash while on a secluded tropical island. Steve, a retired police officer, now operates a small investigative agency in a village in New Forest, where he takes on occasional insurance cases or searches for lost dogs.

Osman shared with the Guardian that, in regards to his new book, he believes Steve, who is in his 50s, would be content if he never witnesses another murder. Amy, who is in her 30s, is considered young to Osman and he jokingly acknowledged this age difference. However, he was drawn to the fact that Steve is retired, as it relates to the theme of the book. Osman explained that he found it intriguing how life can surprise us with unexpected twists, even when we think we have it all figured out.

Osman expressed that beginning a new series was anxiety-inducing, but also essential. He shared his hope to continue writing until the age of 90, which would require him to produce 40 books in the Thursday Murder Club series. Therefore, he believes it is necessary to explore other worlds in his writing.

The front of the latest book showcases a feline – Steve’s cherished companion, Trouble. According to Osman, “No matter where they are or what they’re doing, anyone with a cat at home always wants to return to their furry friend.” He went on to mention that he and his wife, Ingrid, often pondered if their own cat, Liesl, longed for them while they were away on vacation. In the novel, Steve’s main desire is to escape the chaos of the world and reunite with his feline companion, Trouble.

Osman will continue this series in tandem with the Thursday Murder Club books, which he plans to keep writing “for as long as people want to read them”. When writing about Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, “I just find myself being entertained by them,” he said. “So I’m not about to kill any of them off.”

With that being said, he is currently finding joy in creating a fresh set of characters and is open to the idea of exploring other series in the future. “I will always gravitate towards crime or mystery themes, but I am excited for the various possibilities that lie ahead.”

The Thursday Murder Club series by Osman has achieved worldwide sales of 10 million copies, with all four books setting sales records in the UK. The initial novel in the series is currently in the process of being made into a movie by Stephen Spielberg’s studio. Viking, a division of Penguin Random House, will release We Solve Murders on September 12th, 2024.

Source: theguardian.com