-by Soul Sword-
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman is a light-hearted murder mystery. It is the first book in it’s series.
The story starts with Amy Wheeler, a bodyguard from Maximum Impact Solutions. She has to keep the world’s most popular author, Rosie D’Antonio, safe. Things go awry when her former clients turn up dead along with a bag of cash. Soon Amy finds herself framed for these murders. The book follows Amy and her father-in-law Steve’s race against time to clear her name. World-famous author and Amy’s client Rosy, joins them in their adventure.
We Solve Murders starts with a good pace, but after that, it is lost. It has a lighthearted premise, yet it fails to keep the reader hooked. Towards the end, it picks up pace but that doesn’t make a difference. The writing is simple and descriptive. This helps the reader retain information about the numerous characters in the book.
Steve Wheeler is by far the best character in the book. He lives a quiet retired life in Axley (Britain) following his wife’s untimely death. He has a fixed routine that includes his cat Trouble and his small group of friends. He appreciates Amy being the recent addition to his family as his daughter-in-law. While he does look forward to her phone calls, it is funny to see his reluctance when she asks him to fly across the world to help him. The chapters involving Steve and his circle are enjoyable to read.
As the protagonist, Amy Wheeler couldn’t be more detached from those around her, no matter how hard she tries. Her routine phone calls with her father-in-law serve as a weak attempt to showcase her compassionate side, but they fall flat. She is portrayed as a level-headed woman who has been through tough times. But that does not compensate for her tunnel vision when thinking about others. Spoiler Alert: In a tense scene where Amy is in hiding from the police, Steve and the others stay awake, deeply troubled by the situation—yet Amy sleeps soundly, seemingly unaffected. End Spoiler.
Rosie’s repeated pleas for a bodyguard—since her life is equally at risk—might have been meant as comic relief, but instead, they highlight Amy’s lack of awareness in a way that feels unsettling rather than amusing.
Rosie D’Antonio is a world-famous author who enjoys life to the fullest. She takes a liking to Amy and she offers her help. Her interactions with Amy and the other characters breathe life into the novel. There is always fun and frolic in any chapter where Rosie is involved.
The author’s portrayal of the antagonist Francois Loubet is interesting. He is a ruthless money smuggler who doesn’t think twice before killing people just to prove a point. However, Francois’s motive behind relentlessly wanting Amy killed was unconvincing.
The book constantly shifts between serious and comic tones, making it difficult to anticipate whether a twist will vanish into thin air in the name of comedy or deepen the plot. Spoiler Alert: One major plot twist involves an assassin who has been trying to kill Amy throughout the novel, only to reveal at the end that he is merely a fan of Rosie who wants her to read his book. This comedic turn feels misplaced and weakens the suspense. End Spoiler.
The author’s description of the places and the characters’ lifestyles is a good read. One intriguing aspect of the plot is how the antagonist, Francois Loubet, uses ChatGPT to disguise his identity. He uses emails as the main source of communication. The book also mentions unsuspecting influencers who are exploited for illegal dealings.
But as the story progresses, the plot loses clarity and concentrates on other elements and characters. The characters spend most of the time just interacting with each other rather than handling the serious matters at hand. This makes the story dull. The climax was subtle and sudden. It did not live up to the hype created throughout the novel. One of the earlier scenes had better suspense than the ending.
As a reader who mostly reads serious psychological thrillers, I do enjoy their light-hearted, warm and wholesome counterparts too as a refreshing change. I expected this to be an action-packed fun-filled book but it did not deliver.
While We Solve Murders has an intriguing premise and some charming characters, its inconsistent tone and underwhelming twists prevent it from reaching its full potential. Fans of cosy mysteries with humour might enjoy it, but those seeking a tightly woven thriller may find it lacking. I give it a 3/5.
Quote from the book
“Everyone is taking the best shot they’ve got, and some shots are luckier than yours. Any time you feel your unhappiness tuning into bitterness, you have to check yourself. You can live with unhappiness, but bitterness will kill you.”- Steve Wheeler
The book can be purchased here.
-By Soul Sword-
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