Cosy crime titles share a familiar spark

A closer look at two cosily tense novels with similar titles as a TV adaptation nears release.

Cosy crime titles share a familiar spark

Two cosy crime novels sit side by side as a TV adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club moves toward screens. Robert Thorogood’s The Marlow Murder Club, published in 2021, precedes Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club by a few months, and Thorogood notes the overlap in idea and timing. The ITVX adaptation of Thorogood’s book casts Samantha Bond as Judith Potts, the crossword-setting sleuth at the heart of the story. Osman’s book has already become a mega hit, helping to ignite a broader wave of pensioner-led mystery series.

Thorogood also speaks about the title overlap, saying there is space in the world for two very similarly titled books and acknowledging differences between their approaches. The conversation around titles reflects a larger trend in publishing where familiar concepts and comfortable tones attract readers who want reassurance as much as novelty.

The appeal of ageing amateur sleuths remains a reliable hook for both books and TV, especially when wrapped in humor and puzzle-solving charm. Yet the parallel rise of two similarly titled works tests readers’ attention and publishers’ instinct for brand clarity. The cross-media momentum—books feeding TV and TV boosting book sales—shows how a successful premise can evolve into a shared cultural moment rather than a single hit. Still, there is a risk of reader confusion if fans stumble over similar names that feel interchangeable. The industry response often blends homage with fresh twists, turning nostalgia into potential market advantage.

Highlights

The trend confirms readers want comfort with a spark of novelty, on page and on screen.