We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

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🕵️‍♀️ We Solve Murders by Richard Osman — The Most Confusing Book I’ve Ever Read?

⭐️⭐️ (2 out of 5 stars)

❓My Honest Take

I was really excited to read We Solve Murders, especially since it’s my first Richard Osman novel and he’s got quite the reputation. I expected clever mysteries, dry humor, and a quirky ensemble cast.

Instead, I got... a whirlwind of characters, a dizzying plot, and a whole lot of confusion. I eventually pieced it all together (so if you're lost too—you’re not alone), but this was hands-down one of the most confusing books I’ve ever read.

🚢 1. The Setup

Meet Amy Wheeler, a private security officer at Maximum Impact. She’s assigned to protect bestselling crime writer Rosie D’Antonio, who’s hiding out on her private island in South Carolina after offending a Russian oligarch.

Suddenly, social media influencers start turning up murdered in bizarre ways—shot, dumped at sea—and Amy always happens to be nearby.

🎯 2. Amy Gets Framed

Amy starts to realize she’s being framed.
At every murder scene?
A bag of cash is left next to the body. 💰

Things escalate when the chef on Rosie’s island turns out to be an assassin who tries to kill Amy.
Amy and Rosie escape on Rosie’s private jet.

👴 3. Enter Steve Wheeler

Amy calls in backup—her reluctant father-in-law, Steve Wheeler, a retired British cop with a quiet life full of:

  • Pub quizzes

  • A cat named Trouble

  • Recordings of his late wife, Debbie 😢

Steve hates flying, freaks out about alligators, but shows up anyway. (Honestly? He’s the best part of the book.)

🌎 4. The Globe-Trotting Investigation Begins

Together, Amy, Steve, and Rosie travel to:

  • 🇺🇸 The U.S.

  • 🇦🇪 Dubai

  • 🇮🇪 Ireland

  • 🇬🇧 Letchworth

  • 🇱🇨 St. Lucia

Along the way, they meet a huge supporting cast:

  • Jeff: Amy’s shady boss

  • Henk: His ex-partner (also shady)

  • Max Highfield: A narcissistic action star

  • Abby: Max’s bodyguard

  • Plus: hitmen, influencers, self-help gurus, and more

It’s A LOT.

🧩 5. The Clues Start Clicking

The key break in the case?

  • Doorbell cameras: Steve uses smart footage to ID the real killer.

  • Tattoos: Help match the killer to a suspect.

Suspects like Jeff, Henk, and Max all muddy the waters with shady behavior and half-truths. But ultimately, it's all a big distraction from...

🔓 6. The Real Killer: Exposed

Max’s bodyguard Abby secretly hacks into surveillance systems, including doorbell footage, and finds damning evidence.

The real killer is Francois Loubet, a hitman and money smuggler who’s been framing Amy from the start.

Steve and Abby match his tattoos to the suspect seen on camera. Boom—case solved.

🏁 7. The Ending (and Unanswered Questions)

Loubet is caught.
Amy is cleared.
Rosie is safe.
🎉

And the trio decides to start a private detective agency together in the New Forest, England. Cue the title drop: We Solve Murders.

But a few things remain fuzzy:

  • ❓ Why were influencers targeted? Money laundering? It’s not clear.

  • ❓ Max Highfield has lingering threats—sequel bait?

  • ❓ Amy’s husband Adam is barely mentioned—just teases for future installments.

🧠 Why It Was So Confusing

Honestly, this book gave me whiplash:

  • Too many POVs: Amy, Steve, Jeff, Henk, Max, and more

  • Dozens of characters with minimal development

  • Rapid location-hopping: hard to stay grounded

  • Overstuffed plot: tech, smuggling, influencer culture, grief, spies...

It felt like five thrillers crammed into one jet-lagged mystery tour.

✅ TL;DR Quick Recap

🔍 Plot Beat 📝 What Happens
Bodyguards & Murder Amy protects Rosie; influencers start dying; Amy gets framed
Steve Arrives Amy ropes in her father-in-law for help
Key Clues Tattoos + smart doorbell footage solve the case
The Reveal Killer = Francois Loubet, framing Amy
Ending Trio starts “We Solve Murders” agency in England
Open Threads Max’s threats, Amy’s husband, fuzzy motives

📚 Final Thoughts & Read-Alikes

Would I recommend this book?
👉 Only if you love stories packed with quirky characters, rapid plot shifts, and global chaos.

Personally, I found it too disjointed to enjoy. But I’m not giving up on the series just yet—I'll be reading the next book to see if things settle down once the agency is established.

🟡 If You Found This One Overwhelming, Try These Instead:

  • The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman — A gentler, funnier, more focused mystery (and yes, I’ll be reading this one next!)

  • The Appeal by Janice Hallett — Twisty, but tightly constructed; told through emails and documents, it keeps you guessing without overwhelming

  • Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano — A hilarious, fast-paced mystery with a lovable single-mom-turned-hitwoman

  • Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn — Retired lady assassins take on a conspiracy; action-packed but manageable cast

If you're a fan of the globe-trotting style and don’t mind a crowded cast list, then We Solve Murders might still be your cup of tea ☕️.


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