Normal service will be resumed soon – ie blogposts about
books that only I and my readers ever read -
but I reviewed another big hitter for the i newspaper (following on from Dan Brown) so will trail it
here.
Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune will
be out soon, and is guaranteed huge sales, like his previous books (much covered
on the blog).
One day I expect the i newspaper will ask someone else to
review him, just to get a dissenting voice, because I am so enthusiastic. Until
then, here’s my take on the book.
TheImpossible Fortune by Richard Osman
Usual comment applies - there's a limit to how many articles you can read, you may be able to see it here:
And by the way - when the i recently published my list of the best cosy crime novels, this is how they described me
(it means me, not Agatha or Richard) so that is now my official title:
'Detective Fiction Expert'
Congratulations, Detective Fiction Expert! As for Richard Osman, the first one was given to me as a Christmas present. I quite enjoyed it, but I felt one was enough and had have no desire to read any more. Perhaps I should give him another try, but there are so many other books that I really do want to read. Chrissie
ReplyDeleteI know - I may change my name by deed poll. After all, if it's in the papers it must be true 😊
Delete😊
He can be another author we disagree on! I really do rate him
Should "The Impossible Truth" be "The Impossible Fortune"? Or is this one of those titles that change after an Atlantic crossing?
ReplyDeleteOh Marty, you are so right. Yesterday I did the thing I try not to do: posted something in a hurry before rushing out the door. About an hour later I had the sudden realization that I had *got the name of the book wrong* of all dire things, and would have no access to my account to change it until now! it is now correct, but I should learn never to post too quickly.
DeleteThe Impossible Truth. I like that too. Gives me ideas...
DeleteSusan D
I know - if I had to make a silly mistake, at least I came up with a good alternate title. The book could be anything....
DeleteWould that be related to the "alternate facts" of American politics?
DeleteWe'll know when someone writes it...
DeleteSusan D here (dashing out the door shortly). The link under The Impossible Fortune goes to the search for Osmans, not the article. I'll be back....
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Susan, and I have corrected it now (I hope).
DeleteSee my comments above - I should never try to post in a hurry.
This time there was a slight extra issue - normally I just copy the link from the article directly. But - I didn't choose the headline in the paper. The author never does, and usually that's fine, but I wasn't crazy about this one, so decided to do the link dfferently so as to give my own title (does this make any sense?) and so there was an extra step to introduced an error, as i plainly managed to do....
I enjoyed your review, but I’m afraid I still can’t warm to Osman’s Thursday Murder mysteries, and I’m not sure why. Too much dialogue perhaps.
ReplyDeleteDone it again.
ReplyDeleteI can see that - we all react in different ways! I love all the dialogue....
DeleteAre you allowed to design your own/outfit/costume/uniform or at least a badge to indicate your august status as Detective Fiction Expert? I hope so. Osman's books are good reads and I don't understand the negative response he has had. Envy and snobbery, probably.
ReplyDeleteNow uniform/costume is an excellent idea! How am I going to incorporate the Clothes in Books Bedjacket (TM) into it? I will have to work on it. And perhaps a matron hat.
DeleteMy immediate thought when considering the TV dramatisation of your work as DFE was Power Suit and stilettos, and case-hardened DCIs quivering in their boots when they learned that you'd been called in on a case. I'm not sure the matron hat and bedjacket would have quite the same effect ...
DeleteSovay
I may need disguises for when I am undercover in DFE research....
DeleteVery true – and I did wonder whether the TV producers might consider a more Peter Wimsey approach: an anxious official arrives at your luxuriously appointed West End flat to take you into consultation, and you lay aside the priceless first edition of Dulcie Gray’s “Epitaph for an Actor” … that would fit better with these recent absences – clearly on vital Detective Fiction-related undercover missions, the precise nature of which you can’t reveal (but which hopefully don’t involve falling off walls and breaking your ribs), and also of course with your private box at Covent Garden and world-renowned collection of vintage bridge coats.
DeleteSovay
Oh I'm seeing this - a flat in Piccadilly would suit me just fine. And the DFE me would be able to play the piano wonderfully well, unlike the real me, and get my brain going with a few sonatas.
DeleteAnd of course bridge coats would be the right thing to wear!
I’ve enjoyed this series but am a bit behind - only read up to number 3 - a question of “too many books, too little time”. But I fully intend to read the rest in due course so good to know the standard isn’t dropping. The inhabitants of my mum’s set of retirement flats (at least, those that have Netflix) are apparently up in arms about the film of “The Thursday Murder Club” …
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on the well-deserved new title - I trust you’ll be having it engraved on your headed notepaper?
Sovay
They are very much the right book for the right time, your moment will come for more!
DeleteNeed to know more about the unrest in the retirement flats. Is it because of variations from the original text.
Maybe I should get an Expert tattoo?
Oh yes, an Expert tattoo. Then no-one could take it away from you. Well, not without a lot of fuss. I've just finished reading Mick Herron's Clown Town which mentions The Thursday Night Murder Club. No spoliers from me.
DeleteIs Clown Town good? I was a bit disappointed in his previous one so haven't rushed to get it yet, I need a trustworthy opinion.
DeleteThey seem to get more repetitive and the plot seemed a bit obvious, like writing them is a chore....but I love the Aldersgate setting and I live in hope.
DeleteI have to agree with Susan D’s reservations below about tattoos - but there should be a discreet badge to be worn under the lapel and flashed whenever you’re called in to advise on a Detective Fiction emergency …
DeleteSovay
JanW - yes I love the setting because I know the area really well, and they do the Slow Horses exteriors filming there. I really don't want to think there's a falling-off...
DeleteSovay, that image is wonderful. I can see myself.
Unrest in the retirement flats: it’s partly story change - they’re very cross about Bogdan - but also Pierce Brosnan where someone more like Steve McFadden was called for.
DeleteSovay
A Detective Fiction emergency, LOL! The possibilities are intriguing. On a different level, you could also get T-shirt with a logo, just to impress folks in more casual settings.
DeleteSovay: that's wonderful. I didn't object to Pierce Brosnan as much as some people - I think you had to try to forget that you'd seen him as James Bond and in Mamma Mia. In my journalism days, I interviewed many many trade union leaders, and Pierce actually would have fitted right in. Steve McFadden is a brilliant suggestion - but they weren't all like that.
DeleteMarty: I would be ready for anything in a suitable t-shirt....
Okay, now I've got time to follow the real link and read the article. Yes, I'm a fan-girl for sure, and this looks like as much fun as ever.
ReplyDeleteHere on the left side of the Atlantic (Toronto), the Book 1 movie is the property of Netflix, so I have an upcoming date with my GNI (Girls' Night In) buddies to watch it together, with popcorn and wine.
Also this side of the Atlantic, Richard Osman was an unknown quality, so there was no dissing of him as a "celebrity author". He simply burst on the scene NOT already a legend.
Good point about his fans in foreign parts! It is the perfect GNI movie...
DeleteComment 2: The DFE
ReplyDeleteExcellent identity. Detective Fiction Expert. As you said, it was in the newspaper, so it has to be true. But I'd caution against a tattoo... you might later be upgraded to something even more illustrious, with even grander initials.
But for sure, letterhead, business card, signature.... Moira Redmond, DFE.
I hadn't thought of that - when I become (much-deserved) Empress of the World, I'll need space for a large tattoo...
Delete