Richard Osman Books in Order: Ultimate Guide

Looking for Richard Osman books in order? You’re in the right place. This guide covers all Richard Osman books in publication order, including the Thursday Murder Club books, the We Solve Murders series, and his nonfiction titles, so you can see exactly what to read next without sorting through conflicting lists.

Whether you want the full Richard Osman bibliography or just the correct Thursday Murder Club reading order, this list keeps it simple and spoiler-free. I’ll also point out which books are part of a series, which ones are standalone, and where newer releases fit so you can start in the right place and keep going with confidence.

Jump to:

Thursday Murder Club Books
We Solve Murders Series
Richard Osman Non-Fiction Books
Richard Osman Adaptations
About Richard Osman
Richard Osman Books FAQ

Thursday Murder Club Books

For most readers, the best way to read the Thursday Murder Club books in order is by publication date. Each book features a new mystery, but the character relationships and personal storylines build from one book to the next.

Richard Osman’s series follows four residents of a retirement community, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron, who meet to discuss old cases and end up solving real murders. You can read the books as standalones, but reading in order gives you the strongest payoff.

We Solve Murders Series

The We Solve Murders series is Richard Osman’s mystery-thriller series featuring Steve and Amy Wheeler. Steve is a retired investigator who prefers a quieter life, while Amy works private security and lives at a much faster pace.

When a murder and a dangerous conspiracy pull them into the same case, Steve and Amy are forced to work together to stay ahead of a killer. The books combine Osman’s humor and character work with a more fast-moving thriller setup than the Thursday Murder Club series.

We Solve Murders (2024)
Untitled We Solve Murders Book 2 (Title TBA) (Expected: September 2026)

Richard Osman Non-Fiction Books

Before Richard Osman became known for his novels, he co-wrote several non-fiction books connected to Pointless with Alexander Armstrong. These books are separate from his mystery fiction and are best treated as companion titles for fans of the show.

The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World with Alexander Armstrong (2012)
The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World with Alexander Armstrong (2013)
The Very Pointless Quiz Book with Alexander Armstrong (2014)
The A-Z of Pointless: A Brain-Teasing Bumper Book of Questions and Trivia with Alexander Armstrong (2015)
A Pointless History of the World with Alexander Armstrong (2016)
The World Cup of Everything (2017)
Richard Osman’s House of Games: 1,054 Questions to Test Your Wits, Wisdom and Imagination with Alan Connor (2019)

Richard Osman Adaptations

Richard Osman’s books have started making the jump to the screen, with The Thursday Murder Club leading the way. The adaptation keeps the warmth, humor, and character-driven charm that made the books so popular in the first place.

That balance matters because Osman’s stories aren’t just about solving the mystery. A lot of the appeal comes from the relationships, the tone, and the way the characters carry the story from one scene to the next.

For longtime readers, the adaptation is a fun way to revisit these characters in a new format. For new readers, it can also be an easy entry point before picking up the books.

About Richard Osman

Before Richard Osman became known for his novels, he built a successful career in British television as a producer, presenter, and writer. He studied politics and sociology at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later became widely known as the co-host of Pointless alongside Alexander Armstrong.

By the time The Thursday Murder Club was published in 2020, Osman had already written or co-written several non-fiction books, many of them connected to Pointless. His move into fiction quickly established him as a bestselling crime writer with a style that blends mystery, humor, and strong character work.

What makes Osman’s novels stand out is the balance of clever plotting and genuine warmth. His stories deliver the mystery readers expect, but the characters and their relationships are what give the books their staying power.

Richard Osman Books FAQ

What is the best order to read Richard Osman books?

The best way to read Richard Osman books is in publication order, grouped by series. Start with the Thursday Murder Club books in order, then read the We Solve Murders books, and treat his non-fiction titles as separate companion reads.

What is the best Richard Osman book to start with?

Most readers should start with The Thursday Murder Club. It’s Richard Osman’s first novel, and it introduces the style, humor, and character-driven mystery tone most people are looking for when they search his books.

Is We Solve Murders connected to the Thursday Murder Club?

No, We Solve Murders is a separate Richard Osman series with different main characters. It’s a good next pick if you like Osman’s style but want a different setup from the Thursday Murder Club books.

Are Richard Osman books cozy mysteries?

The Thursday Murder Club books are often described as cozy mysteries because they mix crime-solving with humor, community, and recurring characters. They still include serious themes and real stakes, so they’re not purely light comfort reads all the way through.

Looking for similar books in order?

If you want more mystery authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Mystery Books in Order index.