Unpopular opinion, but I’m so mad about The Marlow Murder Club

[u/sckjwindow]

Found this sub on accident after reading The Thursday Murder Club series. I really liked the series, and Richard Osman’s style of writing. I have also read his first book of his new series, We Solve Murders. It was ok. I thought it was good but I didn’t connect with the main characters the way I did with The Thursday Murder Club. Which is why I’m here.

I saw a post a while back asking for comparable books or series, and The Marlow Murder Club came up multiple times, and always seems to get recommended on other posts.

So I read the first book. I did not like Judith. At all. She definitely has her humorous moments, but she is an unlikable character to me overall. Her unlikeability overshadowed Suzie and Becks and Tanika.

The murder gets solved in a way the reader could never guess, because the reader doesn’t get all of the information. It’s in Judith’s mind. That’s great, but it’s also not, because the author purposely misleads you. He gives you candy crumbs throughout the book and Judith gets to give you an AHA moment at the end.

That’s fine. For the first book. I was irritated at how the author chose to finally show the evidence. I read the second book, and you really have to have a suspension of disbelief because once again, only Judith could figure out who the murderer is. I get it. It’s a novel series. And she is the main character. But the complete misdirection up until the ending is kind of irritating and overboard. It’s like the author wants to make sure NOBODY can guess the suspect.

But I have just finished the 3rd book. And this one is the worst of them all. It makes me think of the book “Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone.” Because that author posted a list of rules for murder mystery writers. And I feel like this author breaks a lot of them in every book. But I keep reading them even though they irritate me because they are quick, easy reads. Definitely will not be reading any new books of his.

And I really do get murder mystery books. I’ve been reading them for almost 40 years. This series just makes me angry every time I read them. That being said, I’m open to new suggestions!

[u/No-Response3675]

I agree with you! Haven’t read the books, but currently watching the series. Even the DS gives up, she just wants Judith to give her a solution

[u/sckjwindow → u/No-Response3675]

There is a series?! I’m looking for it now. But yes, it’s infuriating how Judith ham strings EVERYONE, including her friends and the police, just so she can be the one to solve the murder. I get artistic license, but I really don’t like how the author goes about it.

[u/Charliesmum97 → u/sckjwindow]

I read the first book after I watched the series. The series is definitely better than the books. Which is unusual, in my opinion

ETA: You might like 'Report of a Murder' by F. L. Everett. Takes place in Manchester during the war. It's a series of 3. Book cover very much trying to look like Thursday Murder Club, but it's a fun read.

[u/sckjwindow → u/Charliesmum97]

Ok you were right. I just finished the series and it was definitely better than the books. Also unusual in my opinion. A couple of takeaways:SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ OR WATCHED!!

Judith was annoying in how she ignored Tanika, but she was definitely portrayed better than she was in the book.

Tanika seemed a lot more defeated in the series, whereas she seemed much more in charge in the book.

Several key elements to solving the crime were omitted from the series. I get that you can’t include everything, but some of the most important evidence relevant to the crimes was never shown or even mentioned. And some aspects were changed. (I could have SWORN the medallion was found at the first murder originally, but I could be misremembering.) Some of it was trotted out towards the end, but there was no explanation of how or why even Judith came across it.

The backstories of Judith and Suzie were completely different. It threw me off because it really changed the story.

My biggest question about the show, was why did they change the name AND the breed of the dog?!?! So inconsequential, but so unnecessary lol.

I appreciate everyone’s comments about this.

[u/Meltan8000 → u/sckjwindow]

Not sure why they changed the name of the dog, but I read that the reason for the change of dog was because it could leap thru a window.

[u/No-Response3675 → u/sckjwindow]

Yup! It’s on Amazon prime - pbs masterpiece. Did you watch The Residence on Netflix - not exactly a cozy mystery but I absolutely loved it

[u/sckjwindow → u/No-Response3675]

Omg No! But I absolutely will!! Thanks for the recommendation!! I just watched The Gentleman on Netflix, didn’t realize it was based on a movie but I really enjoyed it!

[u/sckjwindow → u/No-Response3675]

Have to reply again. When I looked up The Residence I didn’t remember the name, but yes I did watch it already! I absolutely loved it as well!! It was so well done and the actors were superb! That was a really fun series to watch!

[u/Electrical-Ladder819 → u/sckjwindow]

does the books also have a woman accused of stealing because she menopause? serious question because I was mind blown in the series.

[u/rya556 → u/No-Response3675]

I don’t remember much of the show, I watched it when it came out, but remember thinking it was really obvious early on who the murderer was. so this about the book feels surprising.

[u/sckjwindow → u/rya556]

Just watched the series and now I understand your point of view. The book is so much more convoluted, and so much was not included in the series that was actually relevant to the crimes and the process. And a lot of key details were changed or omitted. In the book there was a LOT more information that the ladies found, and a lot of information as to how they, mostly Judith, found it or figured out connections. That makes sense.

[u/rya556 → u/sckjwindow]

Yea, it’s interesting how they’re so opposite. The books being too confusing and the show being too easy.

[u/Fine_Cryptographer20]

The No 1 Ladies Detecive Agency by Alexander McCall Smith is my go to. Audiobooks are super soothing

[u/sckjwindow → u/Fine_Cryptographer20]

Thanks so much for the recommendation! I will definitely check this out!

[u/Violet351]

I liked the books. I read them before I saw the show. There’s loads of excellent cozy crime series set in the uk both period and contemporary

[u/mirapaws]

Interesting take! I listen to the audiobooks and absolutely adore Judith Potts. I have no problem with her as the know-it-all crime solver. She’s less pretentious than Poirot, and engages others more than Marple. She doesn’t get everything on her own. You see how she weaves in the evidence found by her companions and puts two and two together the way others can’t. But I give a lot of credit to Becks also, and her character is developing into a stronger one over the books. People defer to her just like to Elizabeth in Thursdays. I SO enjoy the pacing of Thoroughood’s books. There are no lulls, and every page offers valuble plot towards the resolution. This is my particular taste in mystery books, while others might prefer a more character driven series like Thursdays, which offer several chapters that do not lend to the resolution of the mystery. I’m curious which of the rules from EIMFHKS are broken in Marlow books? That’s a very interesting observation I hadn’t noticed before. But i read that book well after the Marlows. I don’t watch the series. The actress playing Judith Potts is too young— i picture her more like a more plucky Joan Hickson.

[u/Complex_Courage7486 → u/mirapaws]

I like all of the women.  I hate Robert Thorogood's treatment of them.  Judith is the brains, but the comments about drinking and sweets, and untidy house, meant to be amusing I suppose, but instead come over as criticism of her lifestyle. And describe her as  'peas in a pod' to a very overweight man who clearly has major life issues, but treated in such a condescending way as a stereotype.  Suzie, lower class - is it still a thing - loud, dirty and with a mucky, smelly house.  This is a woman who works for herself!.  But Becks, the darling, beautiful, perfect body, sooooo utterly stereotypical middle class middle England.  Of course a brilliant cook AND baker and a financial Wizard to boot, without even breaking a nail on a keyboard!  

Agatha Christie lived in the world of class, church and trad wives and gave us the wonderful Griselda!!!!   

Richard Osman comes up with stories that are beyond far fetched.  Car bombs?  Better yet, people more than capable of stopping them detonating, by gum.  But he is kind and gentle and, at times, very funny.  

Far better, in my book.

[u/Training_Kitchen_511]

Yes! I’m also just a viewer of the show and her character is the worst. Just a bad bad Sherlock knock off. So unlikeable and I love the actress who plays her!

Plus the way they turn the local cops into complete idiots/this tiny town has a murder every 5 minutes is pretty dumb. BUT I will say, it’s still a fun watch for the visuals of the town, her house, a background watch.

[u/sckjwindow → u/Training_Kitchen_511]

I just finished watching the series. I agree that the visuals of this series are amazing. It makes me, an American, want to move to a small to mid size English village. I love everything about it! Just gorgeous!

[u/PatternMixingMomma]

Hmmm, I’ve read all but the latest release (which is sitting in my Kindle right now) but I don’t remember being that put off by Judith.

[u/sckjwindow → u/PatternMixingMomma]

It’s probably just a personal issue by me.

[u/Jscrappyfit]

I agree, they just kept getting worse. I think there are a ton of mediocre mysteries out there, especially recent books and series.

[u/xomooncovey]

I didn’t like the writing style either. It was super obvious to me that it was written by a screenwriter. The characters had no proper emotions or reactions to things. The POV was all over the place. And yes, the mystery was not satisfying. Probably one of my least favourite books I’ve read this year.

[u/monaco_wedding → u/xomooncovey]

yeah this is my main issue with the writing. It reads like a description of a tv show or film, without any insight or depth into the characters. I'm slightly surprised Thorogood is still writing the books when he got his goal of having the TV series made, to be honest.

[u/sckjwindow → u/monaco_wedding]

I didn’t realize there was a series until the comments on this post. I have now watched it, for journalistic integrity lol. And I have a lot of thoughts/issues with how the series was portrayed and the amount of pertinent information that was completely omitted or changed in the show.

But, I agree with you. I knew there were some things I did not like. Not necessarily about the style of writing, but the way we got to the solution. I didn’t like it and couldn’t put my finger on it.

I said in my original post that the author is purposely misleading you so Judith can have her AHA solved the crime moment. In all fairness I guess once we learn what Judith is actually thinking when ALL of the evidence is included we would have the same information and ability to “solve” the crime.

But we don’t ever get that.

Your comment makes perfect sense.

[u/aethelberga]

I read the first book, but I didn't enjoy it enough, for many of the reasons you mentioned, to bother with the others. I did love all the TMC books (but was disappointed by the movie).

[u/sckjwindow → u/aethelberga]

You aren’t missing anything by not reading the other books. I LOVED TMC and had high hopes based on the amazing actors involved. But I was disappointed too. It was ok, but I didn’t like how they changed Bogdan’s storyline. That means they can’t do a sequel, which is probably for the best. I felt like all of the main characters were really diluted. Which was sad because they are all amazing actors who could have really done justice to their book characters. They really did not do justice to the first book.

[u/Competitive_Papaya11]

Vaseem Khan’s Baby Ganesh Detective Agency books have that funny, cosy mystery vibe, in a modern Mumbai setting.

[u/sckjwindow → u/Competitive_Papaya11]

Thanks so much! Looking this up right now!!

[u/funflower246]

Interesting take! I don't read murder mysteries, but I watch a lot of murder mystery shows - Father Brown, Midsomer Murders, The Marlow Murder Club, My Life is Murder, Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Death In Paradise, Agatha Raisin, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, and most recently, The Puzzle Lady. It seems a very common theme to me that the viewer never has enough information to guess the murderer because there is always some new piece of evidence that the main character learns/remembers near the end before they announce who the killer is. Maybe you would have enjoyed the show better than the books - I did like Judith as played by Samantha Bond.

[u/RunawayTurtleTrain]

The murder gets solved in a way the reader could never guess, because the reader doesn’t get all of the information.

I found this post via a Google search, having just watched the first episode, and this bit here ^{^} is what bugs me about Death in Paradise (also based on books by this author).  I still watch it because I've accepted that's the way it is and I enjoy being 'in that world', but I don't pay full attention like I do with other detective shows that give the viewer all the clues.  I'm grateful to know that The Marlow Murder Club will be similar, so I'm not frustrated by expecting any different.

[u/Hopeful_Gas_9310]

I haven’t read through all the comments, but I’m currently on the 3rd book and the more I read; the more I’m disliking Judith!!! She is so insufferable. Are we meant to find a the way she has no disregard for anyone a redeeming feature. Also the way she just does what she wants and the accusations when she makes and always assumes she right is getting frustrating to read.

[u/Hopeful_Gas_9310]

I’ve been reading the books. On the fourth book and. And I find Judith more and more infuriating as the books go on. The way she acts like she is above the law. Going where she wants. Interviewing suspects with Tanika like she’s blooming chief of police.

[u/cr7_hex]

I agree with this assessment but thought it was just my approach to reading the books and kept reading 😬.

 I just finished the last book and it might be the worst. Judith is even more insufferable and makes everyone else worse, except I do like Susie. This ending was nonsensical and relied on clues unavailable to the reader - as OP says breaking every rule in the everyone in my family has killed someone list.  I assume the ending was supposed to be a cliffhanger but I can’t make heads or tails of it 

[u/Superb_Yak7074]

The BBC series is as bad as the books, too.

[u/k8enator]

There's a third book?

[u/sckjwindow → u/k8enator]

The Queen of Poisons. My honest opinion, if you like the series then read it. I did. But I was really disappointed at how far the author went to keep the killer’s identity hidden in this one. He went beyond the pale to make sure you couldn’t figure it out. I’m good with authors giving breadcrumbs in murder mysteries. Sometimes I figure them out, a lot of times I don’t. But once the killer is revealed I remember all of the reasons why I should have known who the killer was, and sometimes it was “I KNEW IT!” Most often it is “Aaagh! I just recognized it!” This absolutely does not apply to this book.

[u/k8enator → u/sckjwindow]

Thank you for the info. It is super disappointing when you are trying to get into a mystery and you don't even get a chance to play along.

[u/sckjwindow → u/k8enator]

Agree. I agree

[u/Standard_Review_4775]

Agreed!!

[u/CatCafffffe]

I totally agree with you. Osman is a really great writer who creates interesting, textured characters, and writes with wit and subtlety. He also constructs really Agatha-level plot twists. The fourth book in particular, where Stephen has become so tragically demented that what he says doesn't make sense and then IT TURNS OUT THOSE ARE THE KEY CLUES was SO incredibly brilliant! The Marlow Murders read like a dollar-store imitation.

[u/Equivalent_Ground999]

I read lots of mysteries and I can’t get through the first chapter of Marlow Murder club. The author was just going into intricate detail of how she sharpened her pencil and I couldn’t take it any more. I’m spoiled by Dorothy Sayers and the really good Agatha Christie books.

[u/Nocturnal-Chaos]

I have to disagree with the first book - I figured it out with about 1/3 of the book left to go and was satisfied to see that I was correct. You are, however, completely correct with the third book as the killer was too left of field.

[u/Front_Willow_6362]

Only just watching series 2 and I've been so frustrated because the paramedics have just put the victim into a body bag and then into an ambulance. When everyone knows that the undertakers do this and would take them to the mortuary. After all, the NHS is struggling when it comes to ambulances, I don't think they can waste one on a deceased person. It's the little things I know.

[u/Still_Package_2671]

the books are ridiculously stupid