Please Note:  I received an advance audio copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

It's the following Thursday.

Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.

As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus?

But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them? 

Review:

I really enjoy mysteries, and the series called The Thursday Murder Club is quickly becoming a favorite.  The first book introduced us to a group of retirees who are not sitting quietly in an old folks home.  These four solve murders!  

The second book in the series, The Man Who Died Twice, continues the adventures of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron, as we learn a lot more about the people in this group.  What was hinted at in the first book is confirmed:  Elizabeth was a spy for MI-5!  This story encompasses murder, spying, and a healthy dose of personal antics on the part of the group.  I loved it.  

What I Liked:

Narration:

Leslie Manville does a superb job as the narrator of this series.  She knows how to show each character's personality and seems to have a lot of fun with the various British accents.  She also knows how to slowly build suspense, and this book gave her plenty of opportunities to do that.

Characters:

I read this book just as I was watching the latest season of The Great British Bake Off on Netflix.  So, when I read the book, I instantly equated several of the characters with people on that show.  Here are my picks for who should play the characters, should this become a television series:

Elizabeth:  The clear choice for the assertive former MI-5 spy of course is on of the judges, Prue Leith.  I love this character!  Elizabeth is a smart, no-nonsense former spy who is not content to sit on the sidelines, watching the world go by.  She wants to continue to solve crimes.  But she also has to (and wants to) take care of her husband who has dementia.

Joyce:  This character seems mild-mannered and quiet.  But Joyce has a lot more depth to her.  I see Val Stones from GBB Season 2016.  I loved Joyce's patience with the other members of the group.  And she is not one to be underestimated!  She often finds to solutions to problems the gang encounters.

Ibrahim:  Ibrahim is the quiet, introspective former psychiatrist.  Although he is way too young, I would love to see Rahul the winner of the 2018 season of Bake Off in the role.  Like Ibrahim, Rahul is very quiet and shy, but also very smart!

Story:

I really liked that we saw more of who the four main characters were, particularly such a complex character as Elizabeth.  She is both incredibly kind and amazingly brutal (when she needs to be).  While she is the epitome of the caring partner to her husband, she also has no qualms about putting her friends in danger, or even killing someone. 

Ibrahim is also quite a complicated character.  At the beginning of the book, Ibrahim is the victim of a crime.  This leaves him really shaken.  He begins to suffer from PTSD.  Now, Ibrahim is a retired psychiatrist, so he knows what is happening to him.  But that doesn't prevent his brain from suffering.  I really felt for this character, but also for his friends who have a hard time knowing how to help him. 

The murder, itself, is quite a who-done- it.  There are several possibilities, each stranger than the next.  It's quite a thrill ride to be sure.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  September 28, 2021

Author:  Richard Osman

Genre:  Mystery

Audio Publisher:  Penguin Audio

Audio Narrator:  Lesley Manville

Audio Length:  11 hours, 50 minutes

Print Publisher:  Penguin 

Print Length:  336 Pages

Review Format:  Audiobook

Source:  Random House Audio

Recommendation:  Start with the first book, and then dive into this fun mystery.  You will want to spend all your time with these wonderful pensioners.