Humor, heart, and homicide—The Thursday Murder Club has it all! We’re teaming up with Penguin Books to celebrate the premiere of The Thursday Murder Club movie on Netflix by giving away 200 copies of Richard Osman’s bestselling novel in Little Free Libraries across the United States.
Directed by Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire, Harry Potter), the Netflix film stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie. The story follows a group of sharp-witted retirees who meet weekly to solve cold cases—until they find themselves caught in a murder mystery of their own. The film premieres on Netflix on Thursday, August 28.
“Our nonprofit’s mission is to expand access to books for everyone, and this partnership is a fun way to put stories directly into people’s hands,” said Margret Aldrich, Director of Communications and Media Relations at Little Free Library. “We invite readers to hunt for a copy of The Thursday Murder Club in a Little Free Library near them—just like the sleuths in the story, you’ll need a sharp eye to find one!”
How to Find The Thursday Murder Club in a Little Free Library:
- Open the Little Free Library mobile app.
- Tap the magnifying glass in the top-right corner.
- Select “Near Me” and set your preferred distance range.
- Filter by the tag “The Thursday Murder Club.”
Read Interviews with Chris Columbus and Richard Osman:
Chris Columbus
Little Free Library: You’ve directed beloved classics like Mrs. Doubtfire and Harry Potter. What made The Thursday Murder Club feel like your next great story?
Chris Columbus: I fell in love with Richard’s novel. It is that rare murder mystery that is equally thrilling, hilarious and emotional. I saw the movie in my head as I was reading the book. I knew I had to direct the film version.
LFL: How did you cast the core four members of the club? What were you looking for in each actor?
CC: Not unlike Harry Potter, I started to imagine specific actors for each role. Amazingly, the four actors I envisioned to play each role, and my first choices for each role (Helen, Pierce, Ben and Celia), all said “Yes”. That is an extraordinary rarity. And it hasn’t happened since Potter.
LFL: For fans of the book: How closely does the film follow the plot of the novel? Will there be any surprises for readers?
CC: Yes, there will be many surprises. The film follows the novel closely, but deviates from it slightly, particularly in dealing with the murder mystery. The novel is a bit more complex and needed to be streamlined in certain areas for the film. It works beautifully for a book, but needed some editing for a film.
LFL: What’s your favorite book-to-movie adaptation of all time—and how did that influence your approach to this project?
CC: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s a brilliant film adaptation and a master class in naturalistic film acting. It influences every film I make. Also All The President’s Men. Another example of making an emotionally complex film, with stunning performances, out of a dry, historic novel.
LFL: What role do you think Little Free Libraries play in building community and encouraging the love of stories?
CC: The love of books, the appreciation of great literature is something that needs to be spread around the world. Little Free Libraries are doing that work and enables those who may not have access to important literature, to obtain these books that could change their lives and inspire them.
LFL: If you could place one book in every Little Free Library around the world, what would it be—and why?
CC: The Grapes Of Wrath. It is one of the most beautifully written novels of all time. Filled with complex characters, a heartbreaking story and a socially timeless message. It needs to be read by everyone, of every age.
Richard Osman
Little Free Library: Did you imagine a film adaptation as you were writing The Thursday Murder Club, or did that come as a surprise later on?
Richard Osman: I have only one focus, and that’s to write entertaining books, everything else comes from that. You can’t write with one eye on something else.
LFL: You were already a well-known TV personality—what surprised you most about becoming a novelist?
RO: For most of my career I’ve been a writer, for newspapers, magazines and tv, so I’ve always been happiest with a pen in my hand and a blank piece of paper in front of me. I knew one day I’d have to finish a novel – I had started many! – and the biggest surprises were both how hard it was, and how rewarding it was when I’d finished. Now I put myself through that process every single year!
LFL: The members of The Thursday Murder Club are witty, clever, and full of surprises. Were they inspired by anyone in your real life?
RO: I really like human beings, and I believe in them. We’re taught that the world is full of terrible people, but really the world is full of Little Free Library stewards! I like to show characters with kindness and strength, unlikely friendships, and wit and warmth. That’s the world I see outside my window, but I don’t often see in books or on TV.
LFL: How might a Little Free Library steward show up as a character in one of your books? (Not as the murder victim, I hope!)
RO: Sometimes I auction off the chance to have your name in one of my books, and I can honestly say that the most common request is “can I get murdered?” What does that tell us about crime fiction readers???
LFL: Did you imagine a film adaptation as you were writing The Thursday Murder Club, or did that come as a surprise later on?
RO: I have only one focus, and that’s to write entertaining books, everything else comes from that. You can’t write with one eye on something else.
LFL: If you could place one book (besides your own!) in every Little Free Library around the world, what would it be—and why?
RO: A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr. It transports you to another time and another country, and shows you that our hearts and our hopes always remain the same
LFL: What role do you think Little Free Libraries play in building community and encouraging the love of stories?
RO: Life needs magic and life needs heroes, and Little Free Libraries provide both.