Richard Osman’s We Solve Murders is an absolute delight, blending wit, warmth, and a touch of melancholy to create a murder mystery that’s both entertaining and insightful. Osman’s storytelling isn’t just about solving crimes; it’s about unravelling the complexities of modern life, with characters who feel like old friends and observations that cut to the core of our shared human experience. With humour that’s as sharp as it is empathetic, Osman delivers a narrative that’s equal parts thrilling, thought-provoking, and laugh-out-loud funny. This isn’t just a mystery—it’s a reflection on life’s oddities, its tenderness, and its tragedies, making We Solve Murders a compelling read from start to finish.
Osman brings an astute awareness of the issues older people face, weaving in themes of loneliness, grief, and the everyday challenges of aging with his signature touch of humour and wit. Through Steve’s quiet reflections on love and loss, Osman taps into the profound isolation that can come with getting older, especially in a fast-paced, self-focused world. Steve’s recorded conversations with his deceased wife on his Dictaphone—“otherwise he would just be a man on a bench talking to himself”—capture the humour and subtle sadness of a life where meaningful connection has become rare.
Osman also delves into the choices people make as they age, particularly the shift toward risk aversion. Steve’s decision to avoid the “thrills of life” in favour of the calm predictability of his armchair and his cat, Trouble, is both amusing and poignant. He observes that “you can’t have the thrills of life without the pain of life,” and so chooses to go “quietly,” hinting at the desire for peace over adventure that often accompanies later years.
Richard Osman’s satire also cleverly exposes a troubling aspect of first-world life—how we’ve drifted into a bubble of trivial pursuits and self-importance while much of the world faces far more pressing challenges. Bonnie’s rise as an “influencer” through painting a toilet door, Dubai’s extravagant excess, and the triviality of hiring a “murder-broker” reveal how wealth and security have distorted priorities, creating a society consumed by superficial fame, luxury, and entitlement.
Meanwhile, in many parts of the world, people are navigating poverty, conflict, and survival. The juxtaposition begs the question: where did we go wrong? When trivial pursuits overshadow empathy and awareness, perhaps it’s time for first-world societies to re-evaluate, remembering that prosperity should come with a broader responsibility to the world beyond our borders.
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