Each month we bring you the author of the book everybody is talking about, not only to inspire our guide of the best books of 2021, but also to pick writers' brains on what's on their own reading list.
Richard Osman is certainly having a moment. Not only can you see him on your TV every day, but his debut novel The Thursday Murder Club was also a runaway success, making it one of the best selling books of last year. But with his new book The Man Who Died Twice already at number one, his earnings look set to rocket even higher.
In his second book The Man Who Died Twice, published 16th September, he re-visits our favorite residents in the retirement community, Coopers Chase, and they’re all set to solve yet another murder—only this time the stakes are even higher. Richard Osman talks to Books Editor, Zoe West about why writing is a priority for him now...
Richard Osman on his new book
When I used to visit my mum’s retirement community, I’d think, ‘What an amazing place to have a murder.’
The setting was beautiful and made me think of an Agatha Christie novel. Also, the people are all in their 70s and have done so many extraordinary things with their lives. I knew that if there was to be a murder, they’d be the people to solve it. So, that was where the premise came from—four people in their seventies, all from very different backgrounds, who solve a murder on their doorstep. I do love a gang. They’re a bit like The A-Team.
I didn’t set out to write a funny book—in fact, quite the opposite
My natural inclination is to be funny if I can be, but I love classic crime and that doesn’t really mix with humor, so I thought, ‘Don’t make it funny’. But with these four characters—an ex-spy, a trades union activist, a nurse and a psychiatrist—they kept making me laugh. So, the story is very straight but the way the four of them choose to go about it and how they deal with things is funny.
People in their seventies tend to get overlooked, and they’re certainly underestimated
Other characters in my books are constantly being outsmarted by the four protagonists. Even the police officer, Chris, thinks, ‘I must be polite to these people’ and then realizes he doesn’t need to be at all. They twist people around their little fingers, but of course, in the end, everyone is firm friends.
Everyone was shocked at the success of my book
Obviously, I hoped it would do OK, and I thought it would in the UK, but it was the third biggest-selling hardback of all time. That I did not expect! And the lovely thing is, it’s all around the world where they don’t know me from TV. So, that surprised me.
I had pretty much finished the second book before the first one came out
I’m glad about that. It may have been harder to write if I’d known what a success the first would be. I’m writing the third one at the moment and it is a bit tougher as there’s so much feedback now on what people like. I have to remember that I must continue to write the book I want to write.
As I wrote I realized what a fascinating time being in your 70s is, because you’ve probably had the most experience you’re ever going to have
But, you are suddenly sidelined by the world, work doesn’t want you, you are hidden away and culture doesn’t really represent you. The way people have warmed and responded to these characters makes me think culture is righting itself. This generation are liberal, smart, they’ve heard everything and lived every pleasure—and they still have adventures to live.
Many people ask me how I get inside the mind of a 76-year-old woman, but when I speak to my Mum, she says she’s still 32 in her head
And of course, as we get older, yes we’re around grief a lot more, but the brain remains exactly where it’s always been—and the brain wants mischief and adventure and friendships. It’s constantly looking for new things and that’s a lovely thing to be able to write. There are so many people who say they’d like to be like the characters in my book as they get older, live where they live—and we can!
We live in a world where we’re constantly told about our differences
That we’re at each other's throats all the time and that’s the way to gain power, to make money: distrust your neighbors and other people. That’s not my experience of life. We can all have different experiences and opinions but sit us in a room with a glass of wine and we’ll get along with all walks of life. That’s what I want to get across—that we are going to think different things about the world because our brains are different, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t concentrate on things we agree on. Kindness, strength and empathy are the pillars that bind those four characters together.
A friend of mine suggested Lesley Manville to narrate the audiobook, and I knew she’d be perfect.
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The first time we approached her she said she didn’t do audiobooks, but we sent her a copy of the book and once she’d read it she came back and said she would. She does a brilliant job. I love dialogue—especially with British people.
We hide so much in what we say. A British person might say to their neighbor, ‘Oh, your garden is looking lovely this evening,’ but what they might really be saying is, ‘You’re having an affair with my wife, I’m going to murder you this evening.’ We’ll never say what we actually mean. We’re brilliant at dancing around things.
If you want to read more fabulous audiobooks like Richard's, see our pick of the best audiobooks here.
Steven Spielberg bought the rights to my book
The call happened a long time before the book came out and it gave me a huge boost of confidence, not just because I’m pretty sure Spielberg doesn’t watch Pointless Celebrities, but he understands great stories and characters, and what gives them warmth and heart. The fact he wants to make it into a movie is great. He’s responded to the characters and not to me.
People come up to me all the time on the street now to talk about the book and they all tell me their cast
Richard Osman
People say, ‘I think Elizabeth should be played by Helen Mirren’. Other suggestions have been Julie Walters and Penelope Wilton. It’s a lovely game to play.
Writing will be a priority for me now
I’ve loved it. People think I work harder than I do as I’m on TV every day, but of course when we’re filming we might film 3 or 4 Pointless episodes a day or 5 House of Games—so I can get through work quite quickly. I’m hoping to be writing for the next 20 years, I don’t want to stop now.
The first thing I do when I start a book is flick through to where Chapter Two begins
If the first chapter is 80 pages it puts me off. My books are short and snappy. I think that’s a TV thing. I know how quickly people can change channels if they’re bored. When people read my books I want them to get to the end of a chapter and think, ‘Oh’ I’ll just read one more.’
Yes, I am planning to move to Coopers Chase when I get older
So many people say to me, ‘Oh, I wish Coopers Chase was real,’ and I say ‘It is!’ These places exist and I think as we get older we all want sociability. Loneliness in old age is a terrible thing and it’s unnecessary. Living in a retirement community is like being in university halls for older people.
What’s next?
I’ve just filmed another 100 House of Games. We filmed 300 shows during the pandemic—all safely too. I’m about to do another 100 Pointless episodes too, and I’m writing the third installment of The Thursday Murder Club now, which will be out next Autumn.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman is out now.
Richard Osman's Book Choices
Interesting Richard Osman facts
- Richard Osman's net worth is not officially known. But his success as a TV producer, presenter and author has led to an estimated net worth of around £1.38m.
- Richard Osman is not married. He divorced in 2007.
- Richard Osman's children are grown-ups. They are Sonny and Ruby
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