Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club novels have become a national treasure. They’re funny, clever and, most of all, they show us that life in retirement can be filled with friendship, adventure and plenty of laughter. While most of us aren’t lucky enough to live in a luxury retirement village like the fictional Coopers Chase or Englefield House (the real-life Thursday Murder Club film location), we can still capture the spirit of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in our own lives.
Here’s how to enjoy a retirement that’s every bit as sociable and stimulating, without breaking the bank.
1. Find your club
In the books, the Thursday Murder Club begins with a group of residents who meet once a week to pore over old police files. You might not have a cold case handy, but joining a club is the first step to building that sense of camaraderie.
Local libraries often run book groups, creative writing classes and even knit-and-natter sessions.
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U3A (University of the Third Age) is a brilliant national organisation where retired and semi-retired people share skills and interests. From art appreciation to bridge, you’ll find a group for almost everything.
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Meetup.com is another handy free site for finding local groups, from walking clubs to photography societies. You can share your passions with like-minded individuals.
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If you can’t find a local book club, why not start your own? Put up a poster in your local village hall or shop or create a local Facebook group to garner some interest.
2. Take up a new hobby
Elizabeth and Joyce always seem to be trying something new, and retirement is the perfect time to stretch yourself.
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Community colleges offer short, affordable courses in painting, pottery, languages and more.
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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) runs gardening courses and workshops across the UK (rhs.org.uk).
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Love music? Look into Rock Choir, the UK’s largest community choir, with groups nationwide
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Learn a new hobby from the comfort of your own home, try an at-home pottery kit , knitting kits for beginners, grow your own herb garden, or pick up a best painting kit for adults. These things can help you kickstart a new passion without leaving the house.
3. Volunteer your time
Part of what gives Osman’s characters purpose is their curiosity and desire to be useful. Volunteering can give you the same buzz. As Richard Osman himself says; "No one has an old brain. Every person you meet has a lifetime of stories, experience and individuality.” So why not use your experience to give something back.
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National Trust and English Heritage both welcome volunteers as tour guides, gardeners, and stewards.
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Local schools often look for reading volunteers, or people to talk to the children about their past careers or interesting experiences. Both of these are great ways to help inspire the next generation.
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Don’t forget charity shops are always grateful for an extra pair of hands. Plus you'll be first in line to snap any generous donations.
4. Bake and share
Joyce’s diary entries in the books are always punctuated with mentions of cakes and biscuits and there’s no doubt baking brings people together.
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Start a baking circle in your area and swap recipes.
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Join an online or in-person baking group. You'll make different things every week and share your creations with others.
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Look for local community cafés where you can donate cakes.
5. Keep your brain buzzing
The Thursday Murder Club is always knee-deep in puzzles, riddles and clues.
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Local pubs often host quiz nights.
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Join an online crossword or sudoku community, such as Puzzler.
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Try a murder mystery dinner party kit like this one.
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Keep a stash of crossword puzzle books, sudoku compilations or even a crime-themed jigsaw puzzle for rainy afternoons.
6. Try amateur sleuthing (the fun kind)
While we’d never recommend tracking down real criminals, there are plenty of safe ways to indulge your inner detective.
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Murder mystery evenings are held in theatres, hotels and even on steam trains nationwide. Find one that suits you at murder57.com.
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Escape rooms have become hugely popular — find one near you at escaperoomdirectory.co.uk.
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Prefer to stay home? You can bring sleuthing into your living room with a mystery board game, Sherlock Holmes puzzle books, or an escape room game set.
7. Create your own community
Sometimes, the best solution is to start your own group.
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Start a coffee morning in your local hall.
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Launch a craft circle where people bring knitting, sewing, or crochet projects.
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Form a local history group and dig into archives at your library.
The Thursday Murder Club spirit
At its heart, Richard Osman’s series is about four people who refuse to let age define them. They stay curious, mischievous and deeply connected to one another. You don’t need a posh retirement home to live that way, you just need to say “yes” to life’s little adventures, whether that’s learning a new skill, volunteering, or laughing over a crossword with friends.
So why not put the kettle on, bake a cake, and phone a friend to see if they fancy a new project? Who knows — your next great chapter could be just around the corner.
Claire Tapley is a digital editor for Yours.co.uk. She is a journalist with over 18 years' experience writing for women over 50. Before moving to Yours.co.uk, she was deputy editor of Yours magazine for nine years. She is extremely passionate about all things health-related, specifically fitness and healthy eating. She has a huge amount of knowledge on all areas that interest women over 50, including health, well-being, finance, food, tech, beauty, and fashion.