Release Date, Publisher, and Availability
The second book in the Thursday Murder Club series is titled The Man Who Died Twice and was published by Penguin Books on September 16, 2021. The print, ebook, and audiobook editions are available globally through major retailers and library platforms. The audiobook edition is narrated by a full cast including Richard Osman, and it is distributed by Penguin Random House Audio.
The Man Who Died Twice continues the Thursday Murder Club series and is the second installment following the debut novel The Thursday Murder Club, which was released in 2020. The book is published in hardcover, paperback, and digital formats, and it is sold through Penguin Random House, Amazon, Bookshop.org, and independent bookstores worldwide.
Plot Summary and Main Characters
The story follows the original Thursday Murder Club members as they investigate a new case involving a retired MI5 agent and a dangerous criminal conspiracy. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron are drawn into a mystery that connects to past espionage and present-day threats, testing their detective skills and personal relationships.
The main characters include Elizabeth Best, a former MI5 intelligence officer; Joyce Meadowcroft, a retired nurse; Ibrahim Arif, a former psychiatrist; and Ron Ritchie, a former trade union official. New characters introduced in the second book include a retired spy and members of a criminal network, expanding the scope of the investigation and raising the stakes for the group.
Reception, Sales, and Franchise Plans
The Man Who Died Twice received positive reviews from critics and readers, with praise for its witty dialogue, character development, and intricate plot. The book appeared on bestseller lists in the United Kingdom and the United States, and it strengthened the Thursday Murder Club brand as a leading mystery series.
Netflix acquired the adaptation rights to the Thursday Murder Club series, and the first film was released in 2025. The movie stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Celia Imrie, and Ben Kingsley, and it was produced by Blueprint Pictures and Endeavor Content. The success of the film has increased interest in the book series and its sequel, The Man Who Died Twice, which remains a central part of the franchise expansion. Netflix Thursday Murder Club adaptation and Penguin Random House book details.