The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman Summary

The Bullet That Missed is the third installment in Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series, following four elderly friends—Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron, and Ibrahim—living at Coopers Chase retirement community. The book centers on two intertwined mysteries: a cold case involving the disappearance of journalist Bethany Waites who was investigating VAT fraud, and Elizabeth being forced by a kidnapper to assassinate her former KGB colleague Viktor Illyich, known as "the Bullet."

Richard Osman is a British television presenter, producer, and bestselling author born November 28, 1970, best known for creating the BBC quiz show "Pointless." He transitioned to fiction writing in 2020 with The Thursday Murder Club, which became a record-breaking success. The series has sold over 10 million copies globally, with Steven Spielberg acquiring the film rights. Osman continues the series because readers have embraced these elderly crime-solving characters.

The Bullet That Missed appeals to cozy mystery fans who enjoy character-driven narratives with humor and heart. It's ideal for readers who appreciate elderly protagonists defying stereotypes, British wit, and intricately plotted mysteries without graphic violence. Fans of Agatha Christie's style combined with contemporary humor will find it particularly engaging. While it's the third book in the series, newcomers can still enjoy the standalone mystery, though reading the previous books enhances character relationships and ongoing storylines.

The Bullet That Missed is worth reading for its clever plotting, charming elderly characters, and perfect blend of humor with suspense. Richard Osman's witty writing style through Joyce's diary entries and multiple perspectives keeps the narrative fresh and engaging. The book became a bestseller and continues the series' record-breaking success. However, some reviewers note the ending may feel rushed or disappointing compared to the buildup, so readers should adjust expectations accordingly.

The Thursday Murder Club consists of four core members at Coopers Chase retirement community: Joyce, who narrates through diary entries and is witty and observant; Elizabeth, a former spy with unflappable composure; Ron, an outspoken trade unionist dating makeup artist Pauline; and Ibrahim, a kind philosophical psychiatrist. Supporting characters include Viktor Illyich, Elizabeth's former KGB colleague; Henrik (the Viking), a cryptocurrency dealer; and police officers Chris and Donna who assist the investigations.

The Bullet That Missed alternates between Joyce's first-person diary entries and third-person chapters exploring different characters' perspectives. This multi-perspective approach allows readers to follow parallel investigations and character developments simultaneously. Joyce's diary provides humor and personal observations, while third-person chapters advance the mystery plots involving Bethany Waites' disappearance and Viktor's assassination threat. The structure keeps the pacing dynamic and reveals information strategically to maintain suspense throughout the investigation.

Viktor Illyich, nicknamed "the Bullet," is a retired KGB colonel turned freelance operative and Elizabeth's longtime friend. When Henrik demands Elizabeth assassinate Viktor or he'll kill Joyce, Elizabeth refuses because of their decades-long friendship. Instead, she fakes Viktor's death and brings him to Coopers Chase hidden in a duffel bag, where he cheerfully settles into Joyce's flat. Viktor's opposition to cryptocurrency provides the motive behind Henrik's assassination request, revealing the connection between old Cold War networks and modern financial crimes.

The Viking is Henrik Mikael Hansen, born 1989 in Norrköping, son of a pastry chef and librarian, who works in cryptocurrency. He kidnaps Elizabeth and demands she kill Viktor Illyich because Viktor opposes cryptocurrency, threatening Henrik's business interests. However, Henrik proves to be young, inexperienced, and clueless as a criminal. After the Thursday Murder Club captures him and threatens violence through Pauline, Henrik deflates and realizes "he's just not meant to be a psychopath," eventually helping solve the Bethany Waites case.

Bethany Waites was a journalist at South East Tonight investigating VAT fraud when she disappeared a decade earlier. Her car was found below Shakespeare's Cliff, but no body was recovered. She had been receiving threatening notes and told cohost Mike she'd made a discovery about the fraud case. The Thursday Murder Club investigates and eventually discovers Andrew Everton murdered her to cover up the £10 million VAT fraud involving Heather Garbutt and Jack Mason. Andrew's confession is livestreamed through Instagram, leading to his arrest.

The Bullet That Missed maintains the series' signature blend of cozy mystery and humor while introducing higher stakes through kidnapping and assassination threats. It's the third book following The Thursday Murder Club (2020) and The Man Who Died Twice (2021), continuing character development like Stephen's worsening dementia and Ron's romance with Pauline. While some readers find the ending disappointing compared to earlier installments, the book still delivers Osman's trademark wit through Joyce's diary entries and clever plotting involving cryptocurrency and Cold War connections.

The Bullet That Missed explores aging with dignity and purpose as elderly characters demonstrate intelligence, physical capability, and emotional depth that defy stereotypes. Friendship and loyalty feature prominently through Elizabeth refusing to kill Viktor despite threats and the club protecting each other. The book examines old versus new through Viktor's Cold War history conflicting with Henrik's cryptocurrency world. Justice and accountability emerge as the club ensures Andrew Everton faces consequences for murder and fraud, while Joyce discovers new passions including cryptocurrency investing and crime fiction writing.

The Bullet That Missed receives criticism primarily for its ending, which some reviewers describe as disappointing or rushed compared to the intricate buildup throughout the novel. The resolution of Henrik's storyline—where he quickly abandons his criminal ambitions after mild threats—may feel anticlimactic given the tension established. Some readers find the multiple plot threads and character perspectives occasionally confusing or overwhelming. However, these criticisms are balanced against praise for Osman's wit, character development, and the cozy mystery atmosphere that made the series internationally successful.