1장
Murder, Mystery, and Money Laundering: A Deadly Global Game
Richard Osman's latest thriller introduces us to an unlikely crime-solving trio navigating a web of international intrigue. When a series of seemingly disconnected murders of social media influencers begins to reveal a pattern, former detective Steve Wheeler is reluctantly pulled from his quiet retirement in the idyllic village of Axley. Alongside his daughter-in-law Amy, a professional bodyguard with exceptional combat skills, and bestselling novelist Rosie D'Antonio, Steve embarks on a global adventure that will test his detective instincts and force him to confront his grief. The novel has quickly become a favorite among thriller enthusiasts, with Stephen King calling it "deliciously twisty" and Reese Witherspoon selecting it for her book club. Its blend of humor, heart, and suspense continues Osman's trademark style that made his Thursday Murder Club series a phenomenon, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and currently being adapted for film by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment.
2장
A Village Detective, a Bodyguard, and a Bestselling Novelist Walk Into a Murder
Steve Wheeler has settled into a comfortable retirement in the picturesque village of Axley in England's New Forest. After twenty-five years on the police force, he now runs a modest detective agency called "Steve Investigates," handling insurance claims and finding lost pets. Each evening, he sits on a memorial bench dedicated to his late wife Debbie, recording messages to her on his Dictaphone. His quiet life is punctuated by pub quizzes with friends and caring for his cat, Trouble. Though he misses Debbie terribly, the village has carried him through his grief, and he's content with a life without thrills but also without pain.
Meanwhile, his daughter-in-law Amy Wheeler works as a bodyguard for Maximum Impact Solutions, a high-end security firm. Currently assigned to protect bestselling novelist Rosie D'Antonio from a vengeful Russian oligarch, Amy is stationed at a private island resort in South Carolina. Despite her professional demeanor, Amy harbors a deep affection for her father-in-law and checks in on him regularly.
Their separate worlds collide when Andrew Fairbanks, a fitness influencer with a modest following of 18,000, is found murdered in South Carolina-shot in the head, tied to a rope, and thrown from a yacht with a leather bag containing nearly one million dollars. Steve's detective instincts are triggered when he notices the connection to Letchworth Garden City and Vivid Viral Media Agency, while Amy realizes Fairbanks was a client of Maximum Impact Solutions.
The plot thickens when Amy discovers two other Maximum Impact clients-Bella Sanchez, a reality TV star, and Mark Gooch, a financial influencer-have also been murdered in similar circumstances. More troublingly, Amy was nearby during each killing. When her boss Jeff Nolan warns her about a money smuggler named Francois Loubet and someone called "Joe Blow," Amy realizes she's being framed and possibly targeted.
What begins as separate investigations soon merges into a desperate race against time as Steve, Amy, and the irrepressible Rosie D'Antonio form an unlikely team, following a trail of bodies across continents while evading hitmen and corrupt officials. Their journey will test not only their detective skills but also their relationships, particularly the tender but sometimes strained bond between Steve and Amy.
3장
The Art of Money Smuggling: Influencers as Unwitting Mules
At the heart of the mystery lies an ingenious criminal enterprise. Francois Loubet, a shadowy money launderer, has devised a scheme using social media influencers as unwitting couriers. These influencers, with modest followings between 10,000-20,000, make perfect smugglers-they travel internationally without raising suspicion yet are financially vulnerable enough to be manipulated.
The operation works through Vivid Viral Media Agency, run by the unsuspecting Felicity Woollaston in Letchworth Garden City. Once a struggling talent agent representing local celebrities, Felicity's fortunes changed when approached about "influencers" and "brand management." Now operating as Vivid Viral Media Agency, she receives substantial monthly payments while simply forwarding emails and bills to a contact address, her office stacked with promotional products like XPlump Collagen Lip Gel and Krusher Energy Drink.
Influencers are recruited to promote products abroad-Bella Sanchez for lip-plumping gel in St. Lucia, Mark Gooch for Punk Wine in Ireland, Andrew Fairbanks for Krusher Energy Drink in South Carolina. Each carries a locked leather holdall supposedly containing product samples but actually filled with cash-nearly one million dollars per bag. The influencers remain oblivious to their role as money mules, excited about the exposure and payment for what seems like legitimate promotional work.
The scheme begins to unravel when Jeff Nolan of Maximum Impact Solutions discovers the connection between his clients and the smuggling operation. When he confronts Loubet, the money launderer responds by having the influencers murdered as warnings, with each death staged in increasingly dramatic fashion-Bella shot and hung upside down from a balcony, Mark nailed to a tree, Andrew thrown from a yacht to be eaten by sharks.
As our protagonists dig deeper, they realize the murders serve another purpose-Amy Wheeler's blood has been planted at each crime scene, creating a perfect scapegoat. The intricate plan reveals not just criminal genius but a chilling disregard for human life, with influencers viewed as disposable pawns in a high-stakes financial game.
4장
A Global Chase: From the New Forest to South Carolina and Beyond
What begins in the sleepy village of Axley, nestled in Hampshire's New Forest, rapidly escalates into a high-stakes international manhunt that crisscrosses continents and tests the limits of both investigators. The first dramatic turn occurs when Kevin - Rosie's seemingly trustworthy security guard of seven years - reveals himself as a hired assassin. His attempt on Amy's life in the mansion's wine cellar forces Amy and Steve to make a desperate escape aboard an aging speedboat, its corroded hull barely keeping them afloat in the choppy waters off the private island.
Their investigation leads them to Sheriff Justin Scroggie's sprawling plantation-style house in South Carolina, where opulent furnishings mask dark secrets. The discovery of Scroggie's body, suspended from an antique chandelier, confirms their suspicions about Andrew Fairbanks' murder while raising dozens of new questions. The crime scene reveals meticulous planning - Scroggie's death was staged to look like suicide, but subtle details, including the angle of the rope and signs of struggle in his office, tell a different story.
Steve's involvement deepens when Amy's urgent call pulls him from his carefully structured life in Essex. Despite his catalog of phobias - including severe aerophobia that once caused him to miss his sister's wedding - Steve forces himself aboard Rosie D'Antonio's Gulfstream G650. His journey is a testament to both his loyalty and growing determination to step beyond his self-imposed boundaries. The reunion in Charleston is cut brutally short when Eddie Flood, a notorious Dublin-based assassin working for murder-broker Rob Kenna, ambushes Amy at the airport's short-term parking garage.
The investigation takes them to the tropical paradise of St. Lucia, where Bella Sanchez's murder becomes a crucial piece of the puzzle. Their meeting with Nelson Nunez, a prominent figure in the island's criminal underworld, unfolds in his clifftop villa. The encounter turns violent when Nunez casually mentions his contract to eliminate Amy, forcing Steve to wound both Nunez and his bodyguard in a tense shootout. Their subsequent investigation reveals that Officer Martinez, a corrupt local policeman, killed Bella and immediately purchased a luxury speedboat with unmarked bills.
At Ireland's Rockgrove Vineyard, the site of Mark Gooch's grotesque crucifixion, they find critical evidence in the carefully concealed nail holes filled with industrial-grade wood glue - a detail that suggests professional planning. The arrival of Henk van Veen, Jeff's former associate in their international money-laundering scheme, adds another layer of complexity. Van Veen's accusation that Amy was complicit in Jeff's financial crimes threatens to derail their investigation and forces Amy to confront her past relationship with Jeff.
The chase reaches its climax in Dubai's glittering landscape, where Steve finally comes face-to-face with the elusive Francois Loubet - who turns out to be Mickey Moody, a seemingly unremarkable retired scrap dealer from Billericay. Moody's carefully constructed facade of modesty masks his true nature as a criminal mastermind who has accumulated 2.6 billion in illegal wealth while maintaining an incredibly low profile. This global pursuit not only challenges their investigative abilities but forces profound personal growth: Steve must overcome his deeply ingrained fears and resistance to change, while Amy struggles to rebuild her capacity for trust after being systematically framed and betrayed.
5장
Unlikely Heroes: The Power of Vulnerability and Connection
At its core, "We Solve Murders" is about the unexpected strength found in vulnerability and human connection. Each protagonist carries deep wounds that initially seem like weaknesses but ultimately prove to be sources of insight and resilience.
Steve Wheeler, still grieving his wife Debbie's death, has retreated into a small, predictable life in Axley. His fear of flying, discomfort with technology, and preference for routine appear limiting at first. Yet his old-school detective instincts remain sharp, and his emotional sensitivity-evidenced by his daily conversations with Debbie at her memorial bench-gives him unique insight into human behavior. When faced with danger in St. Lucia, it's Steve who breaks free from his restraints using his bitten nails (while Rosie's expensive manicure proves useless) and saves the group.
Amy Wheeler presents as tough and competent, scoring 80/100 on Jeff Nolan's "Psychopath Test" (with 75 being the minimum threshold for employment). She hasn't cried since she was twelve and excels at combat due to her low center of gravity. Yet beneath this hardened exterior lies deep loyalty and vulnerability. Her unconventional marriage to Adam-described as a "call option" on each other, betting their love would grow even without immediate commitment-reveals her capacity for trust despite professional paranoia. When falsely accused of multiple murders, Amy's first instinct is to protect those she loves rather than herself.
Rosie D'Antonio, the world's bestselling novelist, initially appears frivolous-lounging on an inflatable throne in full makeup, smoking joints, and philosophizing about preferring to "be murdered than bored." However, her writer's observational skills prove invaluable throughout the investigation. When they break into Sheriff Scroggie's house, it's Rosie who casually mentions spotting "his dead body," explaining, "I'm a writer. I notice things." Her wealth and connections provide crucial resources, from private jets to safe houses, while her fearlessness inspires both Steve and Amy to push beyond their comfort zones.
Together, these three damaged but determined individuals form a formidable team. Their differences become complementary strengths-Steve's methodical approach balances Amy's action-oriented instincts, while Rosie's creative thinking offers unexpected solutions. By the novel's end, their shared experiences have transformed them, with Steve embracing adventure, Amy learning to trust, and Rosie finding purpose beyond her literary success.
6장
The Puppet Masters: Unraveling the Conspiracy
As the investigation deepens, a complex network of betrayal emerges. Initially, suspicion falls on Henk van Veen, Jeff's former business partner, as the mysterious "Joe Blow" working with Francois Loubet. However, the truth proves more surprising.
Jeff Nolan, presumed dead after his blood-soaked car is found riddled with bullets, reappears alive at The Brass Monkey pub in Axley, having faked his death to escape Loubet. When he accuses Henk of being "Joe Blow," the investigation seems to reach a conclusion.
Yet Steve's meticulous research reveals an unexpected connection-Max Highfield, the "World's Seventh Sexiest Male" and a high-profile actor, received a 10,000 introduction fee for each of the thirty-five influencers hired by Loubet. The nickname "Joe Blow" comes from Max's character in the film "The Rose of Sarasota," adding another layer to the conspiracy.
The final twist comes when Amy confronts Jeff with evidence suggesting he set up Max as a patsy by arranging the payments himself. As they face off with drawn guns, Amy makes a bold decision to shoot Jeff in the leg, restraining him while they observe Susan Knox, Jeff's head of HR for thirty years. Through a hidden observation room, they overhear Susan confessing involvement with Francois Loubet and negotiating payment for "one last killing."
The true mastermind, however, is revealed to be Mickey Moody, a seemingly modest retired scrap dealer who created the Francois Loubet persona. Named after his grandmothers Lou and Bet (tattooed on his shoulder blades), Mickey has amassed 2.6 billion while maintaining a low profile that keeps him under police radar. His downfall comes through modern technology-doorbell camera footage capturing him leaving his house with a shotgun to murder Rob Kenna.
The conspiracy's unraveling reveals how appearances deceive-the celebrity Max is merely a pawn, the loyal employee Susan is a traitor, and the unassuming retiree Mickey is a billionaire criminal mastermind. In this world of smoke and mirrors, only the unlikely trio of Steve, Amy, and Rosie can see through the deception to the truth beneath.
7장
Collateral Damage: The Human Cost of Crime
While the central mystery drives the plot, Osman masterfully weaves a tapestry of human tragedy throughout the narrative, never losing sight of crime's devastating ripple effects. The novel is populated with victims whose lives are callously ended for financial gain, each death creating waves of grief and devastation that touch countless lives. Andrew Fairbanks, a devoted father of three, leaves behind a widow struggling to explain his absence to their young children. Bella Sanchez's elderly parents in Madrid spend their retirement savings hiring private investigators, refusing to believe their daughter simply disappeared. Sheriff Scroggie's death rocks his small community, where he had served for over two decades and knew every resident by name.
Particularly poignant is the story of Bonnie Gregor, an aspiring influencer whose journey from obscurity to near-victim illustrates the vulnerability of dreams. After her pink toilet door photo went viral - shared by celebrity Fearne Cotton and garnering over 100,000 likes - Bonnie built a modest following of 14,000 Instagram followers. Her small business selling custom stickers and motivational pens through her website "Bonnie's Beautiful Life" generates enough income to sustain her hopes, if not her full living expenses. She maintains unwavering optimism, frequently telling her followers, "dream your dream, and see where it takes you" - words that nearly lead to her undoing.
When Vivid Viral Media approaches her with an offer to promote organic paint in Brazil for 20,000 - more money than she'd made in the previous year - Bonnie sees it as her big break. She meticulously prepares for what she believes will be her career-defining moment, carefully selecting outfits for Instagram photos and even purchasing a new camera. The mysterious locked leather holdall she's given to transport doesn't raise suspicions; she assumes it contains paint samples and marketing materials. Only a last-minute email to Felicity expressing confusion about some travel details saves her life, as Felicity and Tony rush to Heathrow to prevent her from becoming the next victim in an international drug smuggling operation.
The perpetrators' stories reveal equally tragic dimensions. Rob Kenna, living a seemingly enviable life in Dubai, arranging murders from his luxury apartment and spending afternoons at exclusive golf clubs, meets a brutal end. Kneeling on the 17th hole of Emirates Golf Club, he finally sees Francois Loubet's face - the mysterious employer he'd worked for but never met - moments before Mickey Moody ends his life. His death leaves behind a teenage daughter who never knew her father's true nature.
Susan Knox's story provides a haunting glimpse into how ordinary people can stumble into extraordinary evil. Her initial embezzlement from Jeff Nolan's accounts - meant to cover her son's medical bills - spirals into approaching Mickey with the money-smuggling scheme. From her prison cell, she writes a single, gut-wrenching letter to Mickey, accepting her punishment while grappling with the horror of what she set in motion: "I deserve every day I spend here," she writes, "but I'll never forgive you for choosing murder, and I'll never forgive myself for giving you the chance."
Through these interconnected narratives of victims and perpetrators, Osman crafts a powerful commentary on how greed creates cascading tragedy. Each criminal decision, whether born of desperation or avarice, sets in motion unforeseen consequences that transform lives into cautionary tales, leaving behind a wake of shattered families, lost potential, and irreversible damage to communities.
8장
From Grief to Purpose: Steve's Journey Back to Life
Perhaps the most moving aspect of "We Solve Murders" is Steve Wheeler's emotional journey from grief-stricken widower to reinvigorated detective. When we first meet Steve, he's settled into a comfortable but limited existence in Axley. Though he's found a way to function after Debbie's death, recording daily messages to her on his Dictaphone, he's essentially stopped living fully.
His transformation begins reluctantly when Amy calls for help from South Carolina. Despite his fear of flying and leaving England, Steve agrees when Amy invokes what Debbie would want. As he travels to America on Rosie's private jet, Steve experiences a mixture of anxiety and secret excitement at being needed again.
Throughout their global investigation, Steve gradually reconnects with his detective instincts and passion for solving cases. In St. Lucia, he's the one who breaks free from restraints and saves the group from Nelson Nunez. In Dubai, he makes the crucial connection identifying Mickey Moody as Francois Loubet. With each success, Steve regains confidence in his abilities and purpose.
Equally important is Steve's evolving relationship with his son Adam. Their interactions are initially awkward and stilted, with conversations about dinosaurs and sauna etiquette rather than their shared grief over Debbie. Yet through their shared concern for Amy, they begin to bridge the gap between them.
By the novel's end, Steve makes a profound decision at Debbie's memorial bench. After consulting with her memory, he agrees to join Amy as her business partner in a new detective agency focusing on unsolved murders and cases involving vulnerable people. Though he insists on working mostly from home, maintaining some of his comfortable routines, Steve has fundamentally changed-willing to embrace new challenges and connections rather than hiding from life.
When Amy suggests the perfect name for their new venture-"We Solve Murders"-it represents not just a business decision but Steve's emotional rebirth. In helping others find justice, he's found a way to honor Debbie's memory while fully rejoining the world of the living.
9장
A New Beginning: The Birth of "We Solve Murders"
In the predawn darkness of Axley village, Amy reveals her ambitious plan to start a detective agency - one that would specifically target unsolved murders and cases involving society's most vulnerable members. The timing and setting of this revelation, with morning mist still clinging to the village green, perfectly mirrors the emergence of new possibilities from the shadows of their recent experiences. When Rosie learns about this venture, she demonstrates her characteristic blend of business acumen and friendship by outbidding Amy's unnamed backer (who, in a delightful twist, turns out to be Rosie herself from a previous conversation), offering one million dollars for fifteen percent of the company.
Steve's decision-making process proves particularly poignant. After spending time at Debbie's memorial bench - a spot that has become his sacred space for important life decisions - he chooses to join Amy as her business partner. This decision marks a significant shift from his initial reluctance and represents his first major life change since Debbie's passing. The bench itself, positioned to catch the morning sun, serves as a metaphorical bridge between his past and future.
Their new venture, "We Solve Murders," becomes more than just a business name - it represents the culmination of their individual journeys and the promise of future collaboration. The agency's formation provides a masterful conclusion to the current mystery while opening doors to new adventures. The unlikely trio has proven their capabilities by not only solving multiple murders but also uncovering an intricate international money-smuggling operation that stretched from local villages to global criminal networks.
Each character's transformation through this process reveals deeper layers of growth. Steve has navigated the treacherous waters of grief to rediscover his investigative instincts, finding that his detective work honors rather than betrays Debbie's memory. Amy, whose trust issues stemmed from years of betrayal in both personal and professional relationships, learns to open herself to genuine collaboration. Rosie, despite her successful writing career, discovers that real-world detective work provides a satisfaction that fictional mysteries never could.
Their complementary strengths create a formidable investigative team: Steve brings his methodical police training and attention to procedural detail, Amy contributes her action-oriented instincts and fearless approach to danger, while Rosie adds creative thinking and the ability to see patterns in seemingly unrelated events. Their different approaches to problem-solving - from Steve's careful evidence gathering to Amy's intuitive leaps - create a perfect investigative synthesis.
Rosie's meta-observation about "We Solve Murders" making an excellent book title showcases Osman's trademark literary playfulness. This self-referential moment acknowledges both the fictional agency and the novel itself, adding a layer of sophisticated humor that lightens the serious themes of death and justice.
The novel concludes with tantalizing hints about their first official case - investigating a murdered news presenter in Turkmenistan - suggesting global implications for their future investigations. Like the celebrated Thursday Murder Club, these characters discover that solving murders transcends mere crime-solving. It becomes a vehicle for personal connection, renewed purpose, and the art of living fully despite life's inevitable losses. Their story reminds us that it's never too late to begin again, and that the most unlikely partnerships often yield the most remarkable results.
