Richard Osman | Signed First Editions

About Richard Osman

Richard Osman (born 1970) is a British television presenter, producer, and novelist whose sharp wit and warmth have made him one of the UK’s most popular contemporary writers. Best known for creating and hosting the hit TV quiz show Pointless, Osman made a remarkable transition to fiction with his debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club (2020). Set in a genteel retirement village where four amateur sleuths gather to investigate unsolved crimes, the book became a publishing phenomenon, praised for its humour, heart, and deft plotting. It spent months at the top of bestseller charts and sparked a wave of interest in so-called “cosy crime” — mysteries that blend traditional whodunnit elements with warmth and humanity rather than grisly detail.

Osman followed this triumph with a string of equally successful sequels: The Man Who Died Twice (2021), The Bullet That Missed (2022), and The Last Devil to Die (2023). Together, they form a four-book series that has become one of the most beloved franchises in modern British crime fiction, celebrated for its charming character ensemble — particularly the indomitable Elizabeth, resourceful Joyce, and their companions Ron and Ibrahim. The novels balance comedy and poignancy, offering readers reflections on friendship, ageing, and justice within a tightly woven mystery framework. Their appeal spans generations, attracting both traditional mystery lovers and those new to the genre.

Before his literary career, Osman had a long and successful television background, working as an executive producer on shows such as Deal or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. His transition to authorship drew comparisons to the likes of Agatha Christie and Alexander McCall Smith for his ability to combine wit, warmth, and social insight. In 2025, Osman launched a new mystery series with We Solve Murders, introducing a fresh pair of detectives, Amy and Steve, whose partnership promises another blend of suspense, humour, and emotional depth. The novel marks the beginning of a new phase in Osman’s writing career and confirms his reputation as one of Britain’s most entertaining storytellers.

Beyond his novels, Osman is also admired for his engaging public persona, sharp observational humour, and open discussions of living with nystagmus, a visual impairment he has had since childhood. His literary success has made him a household name well beyond the world of television, and with the Netflix film adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club now streaming, his work continues to reach an ever-wider audience. Combining warmth, intelligence, and an unfailing eye for the quirks of human nature, Richard Osman has carved out a distinctive place in twenty-first-century fiction as the master of the modern cosy crime novel.