Loved, loved, loved this book.

Honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read or listened to. Perfectly pitched, a genuinely clever plot, and some of the best characters in modern literature. Can not wait for the second one.

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3 people found this helpful

Slow start but stick with it!

I tried to return this book (unsuccessfully) but then stuck with it and I'm so glad I did. It is a really kind, engaging, entertaining read with a lot of levels to enjoy it on. In a time when the world seems to be giving humans a well deserved punch in the solar plexus, it is nice to be reminded that people who weather the storms to survive to their seventies have a lot to say. It is humorous with a really surprisingly good detective mystery integrated into the life of the many engaging characters. Beautifully narrated -well done Audible.

Do read it!

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3 people found this helpful

Exceptional

Total escapism, this book has made me laugh and cry.
The characters are just wonderful and I can’t wait until the next book.
Thank you Richard for one of the best books I have listened too.

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2 people found this helpful

Classic, cozy mystery

Reading the reviews, this seems to be a "marmite book". You either hate it, or love it. I'm a fan of classic crime and cozy mysteries, and this is right up my alley. I find the characters loveable, but that might be because they seem to have the same thoughts and opinions as me, so I think we'd get along nicely.
It did however make me think about getting old, and I'm not looking forward to it.

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1 person found this helpful

Absolutely fabulous!!!

Oh my gosh! I haven’t enjoyed a book so much in ages!!? And the narration was perfect!!! Beautiful voice which so perfectly caught the characters.
Brilliantly imagine characters, so subtly and beautifully created in different clever ways, all brought together in a gentle but thrilling whodunnit,
So so clever and thoroughly enjoyable!!!
Can’t wait for the next one!!!

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1 person found this helpful

Just brilliant

An absolute joy from beginning to end. Also laugh out loud funny at times. Brilliant characters.
Fab.

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1 person found this helpful

wonderful characters

Loved this. Save me a room at Cooper's Chase.

Sweet, warm, funny, entertaining, clever and narrated beautifully.

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1 person found this helpful

Fantabulous

laugh out funny and such brilliantly observed detail....a complete joy to read, can't wait to read the next installment !!

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1 person found this helpful

Three hours in and hoping I can swap it. 🤞

I'm strongly considering swapping this audio book if it lets me. 😕

I've been really excited for this book, it sounded like it would be just my type of thing. I have seen some say they loved it and others say it's the worst book they've ever read. So with such mixed reviews I was a little unsure about using up one of my Audible credits for this book. None the less, I've given it a go (I'm about 3 hours in atm).

I'm going to sound like such a cheapskate here but I am a wedding photographer and money hadn't exactly been flowing in this past year (covid). I just don't think this book is worth the price. I'd probably finish it if I'd bought it on a 'daily deal' for £1.99 or if it was a 99p kindle deal. But you only get one credit a month on Audible, so I like to use it well and I just don't feel like this book is a good trade for a credit. Here's why:

1. It's not very gripping. It's actually quite slow.

2. I've noticed quite a lot of stereotyping in this book already, so the characters don't feel very original but just a product of their stereotype if that makes sense?

3. I thought this would be great as an audio book when I saw that Richard Osman was narrating in it but 3 hours in and I haven't heard from him yet. 😕

4. The chapters so far have been switching between 1st person (character of Joyce) and then 3rd person. I've not really been enjoying this switch.

5. There are three narrators in total but so far I have only heard one of them who has been narrating Joyce AND narrating the 3rd person chapters too. It annoys me that she's doing both. You've got 3 narrators, why not get a 4th for these 3rd person chapters? I feel like it would have brought Joyce's character out more if that one person stuck to narrating just her.

6. Because of point 4 and 5 above, I feel like I'd enjoy it more if I were reading it. I do think that if it pops up on a kindle deal in the future then I'll buy it and finish it.

It's really does boil down to it's value for me at the moment though. As I've said, I like to spend my Audible credits well. I think I could finish this audio book but I fear that I'll still feel disappointed come the end.

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well done Richard!

what a charming book. Characterisation fantastic. can't
wait for the next one.
narration was also excellent.
can't fault it.

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