Book Review: The Impossible Fortune

Title: The Impossible Fortune

Author: Richard Osman

Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books

Publication Date: September 30, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

There's something deeply comforting about settling in with the Thursday Murder Club gang again. Like visiting old friends who always have a new story to tell over tea.

The setup finds our beloved quartet in a quieter moment—Joyce is consumed with wedding planning, Elizabeth is mourning, Ron is wrestling with family issues, and Ibrahim continues his unlikely therapeutic relationship with a criminal. But when Elizabeth encounters Nick, a wedding guest seeking help who then vanishes without a trace, the gang is pulled back into action. The mystery centers on something valuable that Nick and his evasive business partner possess—valuable enough to kill for. Joyce's daughter Joanna joins the investigation as they untangle questions of kidnapping and an uncrackable code.

What makes this series special isn't just the mystery plotting, though Osman handles that well. It's the way these stories celebrate friendship, loyalty, and the idea that growing older doesn't mean you stop having complicated relationships or taking chances. The characters feel lived-in and real, each dealing with very human struggles while solving crimes that would challenge people half their age. Of the four, Ron remains my favorite—the gruff, loyal West Ham supporter and former union leader reminds me so much of my own mate Ron, a retired plumber who fills his days with endless hobbies and opinions.

The mystery itself delivers the twists and turns you'd expect, involving drug dealers, murderers, and police investigations, but Osman never loses sight of the emotional core. This book deepens our understanding of each character, revealing both vulnerabilities and unexpected strengths. The interplay between the original four and Joanna adds fresh energy without overshadowing what makes the series work.

Fair warning: jump in with book one if you haven't already. These characters have history together, and you'll want to know them properly before this adventure.

Book Review: The Viper

Title: The Viper

Author: Brad Meltzer

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: January 6, 2026

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Brad Meltzer has done it again—this third Zig and Nola adventure hit me like a freight train and is the best in the series by far.

If you've read the first two books, you know we've been slowly peeling back the layers of Nola's nightmare childhood with her abusive adopted father, Royale. Now Meltzer turns his attention to her mother—the Viper herself—and what a backstory. The twists come so fast my head was spinning like I was watching a tennis match at Wimbledon. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, Meltzer would flip the script again.

The mystery of why someone's hunting down members of the Breakfast Club drives the action, but the real meat is in the character work. Roddy's twisted dynamic with Nola gets deeper and darker, while we finally learn more about Zig's failed marriage and what makes him tick. These relationships feel lived-in and messy in the best way.

And that ending? Nobody—and I mean nobody—is going to see it coming.

Fair warning: don't start here. You absolutely need the context from the previous two books for this to land properly. But if you're already invested in Zig and Nola's world, The Viper is essential reading that pays off everything Meltzer's been building toward.

A big thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: All Eyes on Him

Title: All Eyes on Him

Author: Iliana Xander

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Publication Date: December 2, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a psychological thriller that knows exactly what it wants to be—fast-paced, twist-heavy, and built around a premise that immediately raises questions you need answered.

The setup is straightforward: Natalie's best friend leaves a club with a stranger and ends up in a coma. When Natalie identifies the man as a celebrated millionaire on magazine covers, she goes undercover as his housekeeper to gather evidence. It's a classic thriller framework, but Xander uses it well. The alternating points of view create a sense of unease, and the pacing keeps things moving without feeling rushed.

What worked particularly well for me was the anonymous narrative voice woven throughout. I made assumptions about who was speaking that turned out to be completely off base, and that misdirection felt earned rather than cheap. The reveal genuinely surprised me. Natalie herself is a mixed bag—she takes risks that strain credibility at times, yet somehow the story maintains enough momentum that these moments didn't pull me out of the experience.

The detail about the previous housekeeper going missing adds a layer of menace that elevates the stakes beyond a simple revenge plot. There's real tension in watching Natalie realize she may have miscalculated badly. The secrets stack up in satisfying ways, and the ending brings everything together with clarity and impact.

A big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley.  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Turkey Films 2025

In 2025 I retired after 40 years working at the same company. What an accomplishment. And to honor this achievement, for this year's Turkey Films I am focusing on movies that celebrate retirement or feature key roles for retirees. The Turkey Film blogposts  date back over a decade to the first version in 2011 (check out the "rules" laid out in the first of these annual posts). So, in no particular order, turkey films 2025:

• The Best Exotic Marigold Turkey
• Turkey Torino
• About Turkey
• A Turkey called Ove
• On Golden Turkey
• Grumpy Old Turkeys
• The Turkey List
• Space Turkeys
• The Old Man and the Turkey
• The Straight Turkey
  

Happy and safe Thanksgiving to all!