El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph. D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel.
As such, Netflix's desire to produce its own cozy crime show is understandable, and luckily, Osman, whose books have sold over 17 million copies, has the perfect follow-up story. During a recent interview, The first book was released in September 2024, while the sequel, We Chase Shadows, will arrive later this month on September 15. Netflix bought the rights to We Solve Murders before the book was published.
Rather than starring four pensioners eager to solve local unsolved crimes, We Solve Murders features just one pensioner: retired police officer Steve Wheeler, reluctantly working alongside his adventurous daughter-in-law, private security officer Amy. When Amy is implicated in the deaths of three clients, she goes on the run with celebrity crime novelist Rosie and calls the only person she knows she can trust to help. Though Steve would understandably rather be sitting at home with his cat, Trouble, he dusts off his investigative skills and joins the two women on a whirlwind journey to catch the real culprit. What's not to love?
We Solve Murders Is Perfect For A TV Adaptation
The Thursday Murder Club's investigations are largely confined to the local area around their posh retirement village, Coopers Chase, allowing their stories to be condensed into two-hour movies. We Solve Murders is a wholly different narrative experience, though. Osman himself described it as an "'80s airport thriller," as Steve, Amy, and Rosie travel around the world to unravel the case. In the first book alone, the trio visits South Carolina, St. Lucia, Ireland, and Dubai. In the next installment, Osman has revealed that they will travel to Tuscany, Barcelona, and Palm Springs.
Part of the joy of Osman's books is seeing his characters navigate strange, funny, and even dangerous situations in the unlikeliest of places. Rushing through scenes in all those beautiful, interesting locations would be a genuine waste. A TV show can let We Solve Murders' story breathe, giving each setting and new plot beat a chance to stand out (and actually be included), rather than being nixed for adaptation purposes. Netflix certainly has the budget to make it happen.
Will The Other Thursday Murder Club Books Ever Be Adapted On Netflix?
This could simply be because the Thursday Murder Club
movie's most controversial book change; even Osman himself has publicly referenced the movie's decision to have Elizabeth's and the gang's dependable friend Bogdan (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) arrested, despite the character's importance in the rest of the series (via Digital Spy). In an interview with The Times, Osman said, "It was only one book. The other books I would like to adapt myself. "If We Solve Murders makes it to the small screen and proves to be the hit it's certainly capable of being, that might just be enough to spur Netflix to make another Thursday Murder Club movie. For now, though, eager audiences can always return to the books and look forward to the possibility of another fantastic murder-mystery TV show.
Thursday Murder Club
- Cast