Richard Osman’s new novel, The Impossible Fortune, has officially released today as the fifth book in the beloved Thursday Murder Club series, quickly establishing itself as the top book release for September 30, 2025. The title has already garnered enormous pre-release enthusiasm, including more than 91,000 want-to-read marks on Goodreads, and is poised to be a significant cultural moment for mystery lovers.
Known for blending crime thrillers with humor and heart, Richard Osman continues the Thursday Murder Club saga with an installment focused on new intrigue amid the backdrop of a wedding. In The Impossible Fortune, Joyce is occupied with wedding plans, while Elizabeth is confronting grief and Ron is managing family tensions.
The novel follows the familiar cast as they become embroiled in fresh peril following a mysterious encounter at a wedding. A notorious villain seeks access to an uncrackable code, propelling the club into a race against time to solve a murder and save one of their own. The enduring popularity of the series has been credited to its character-driven narrative and clever plotting, which have made the books a mainstay for both casual and avid crime readers.
Cultural Impact and Series Legacy
The Thursday Murder Club series remains one of the most recognizable contemporary British mystery franchises, often praised for revitalizing the cozy crime genre. With each release, Osman’s novels spark substantial discussion across book communities and social media alike, generating viral enthusiasm and fuelling ongoing speculation about future installments.
Other Notable Releases
September 30, 2025 also sees the debut of Michael Wehunt’s The October Film Haunt, a horror thriller delving into cult cinema and supernatural intrigue, and T. Kingfisher’s novella What Stalks the Deep, which continues the popular Sworn Soldier series set in gothic America.
