Richard Osman Popular Books

Richard Osman Biography & Facts

Richard Thomas Osman (born 28 November 1970) is an English author, television presenter, producer, novelist, and comedian. He is the creator and former co-presenter of the BBC One television quiz show Pointless. He has presented the BBC Two quiz shows Two Tribes and Richard Osman's House of Games and been a team captain on the comedy panel shows Insert Name Here and The Fake News Show. He has made appearances on British panel shows including Would I Lie To You? and QI. Osman worked at Hat Trick Productions before becoming creative director of the television production company Endemol UK, producing shows including Prize Island for ITV and Deal or No Deal for Channel 4. He is the author of the bestselling crime novels The Thursday Murder Club (2020), The Man Who Died Twice (2021), as well as The Bullet That Missed (2022) and The Last Devil To Die (2023). Early life Richard Thomas Osman was born on 28 November 1970 in Billericay, Essex, to Brenda Wright and David Osman, and grew up in Cuckfield near Haywards Heath, West Sussex. When Richard Osman was nine years old, his father walked out on the family, which Osman says has created difficulty for the rest of his life. His mother went to teacher training college but, before she got a full-time job, making money to raise her two children was a challenge. His elder brother is musician Mat Osman, bass guitarist with the rock band Suede.Osman attended Warden Park School in Cuckfield. While still at school, he gained his first broadcasting experience, as a regular contributor to Turn It Up, an open-access music show which went out on Sunday evenings on BBC Radio Sussex (the show was also notable for giving early broadcast experience to BBC news journalist Jane Hill and radio DJ Jo Whiley). From 1989 to 1992, he studied Politics and Sociology at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was a contemporary of Pointless co-presenter Alexander Armstrong, who read English. Television career Production Osman worked as executive producer on British game shows, including Channel 4 comedy panel game 8 Out of 10 Cats and satirical comedy 10 O'Clock Live. He was the creative director at TV company Endemol UK, pitching the idea for Pointless to the BBC, becoming its co-presenter with his former university friend Alexander Armstrong, when it launched in 2009. Osman created the short-lived 2013 ITV gameshow Prize Island. His other credits include Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Total Wipeout and the game show 24 Hour Quiz. Osman acted as script editor for BBC One's Total Wipeout and in 1999, created and wrote the Channel 4 sitcom Boyz Unlimited with David Walliams and Matt Lucas. In 2005, he co-created and co-wrote the animated Channel 4 sitcom Bromwell High.Osman left Endemol in 2020. Presenting and Pointless From 2009 until 2022, Osman co-presented the BBC One teatime quiz show Pointless with host Alexander Armstrong. He created the show where he is jokingly known as Armstrong's "pointless friend". Having previously worked exclusively in behind-the-camera roles, Osman got the job as co-presenter/assistant when he pitched the idea for the show to a panel of BBC daytime heads, taking the role of the assistant in the demonstration.Osman guest hosted Have I Got News for You in October 2013. In 2014, Osman began presenting a new BBC Two quiz show called Two Tribes. A second series began airing in February 2015. From October 2014, he guest-presented episodes of The One Show. Beginning in 2016, he was a team captain on the BBC Two comedy panel show Insert Name Here, hosted by Sue Perkins. A second series was commissioned to begin airing in January 2017. In February and December 2016, he presented Dragons' Den: Pitches to Riches, two special episodes which looked back over the past thirteen series of Dragons' Den on BBC Two. Since 2016, Osman has presented Child Genius on Channel 4. He appeared on the telethon Red Nose Day 2017 with The World Cup of Biscuits 2017. This involved polling with Twitter to find the best British biscuit. In April 2017 he appeared in the first episode of the third series of Murder in Successville. In 2017, Osman began hosting his show Richard Osman's House of Games. Each weekday, four panelists compete in general knowledge tests in a variety of entertaining games. Six series of the show have been made. In 2020, Osman created a spin-off show titled House of Games Night, which aired on BBC One on Friday nights. On 8 April 2022, Osman announced he would be leaving Pointless, after 1,300 episodes across 30 series. After his The Thursday Murder Club series received critical acclaim, he wished to spend more time as an author. He is, however, continuing to appear on the spin-off Pointless Celebrities. In a statement, he said, "Pointless has been a joy from start to finish, working alongside my friend Alexander Armstrong, backed by the most wonderful team, and for the best viewers in the world. I will miss everyone so much, but I'm thrilled I'll still be presenting the celebrity shows. I can't thank everyone enough for 12 amazing years." He was replaced by a rotating series of guest presenters. His co-host Armstrong said, "Daytime television's loss is international best-selling crime fiction's gain. I say that like it's a consolation - I'm going to miss the big man next to me Monday to Friday. But at least I still get him at weekends - and weekdays if you're watching on Challenge".In November 2023, Osman began hosting a podcast, 'The Rest Is Entertainment', with Marina Hyde. Comedy Osman has appeared on the panel shows Would I Lie to You?, Have I Got News for You, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, The Unbelievable Truth, QI, and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. In 2016, he was a contestant on the second series of Taskmaster and appeared on the darts show Let's Play Darts. Literary career Viking Press, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House, acquired the rights to Osman's debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, and one other novel, for a seven-figure sum in a 10-publisher auction in 2019. It was said that his first book would be published in autumn 2020, and the second the following year, as part of a crime series. His debut crime novel's release date was announced as 3 September 2020.The Thursday Murder Club series is set in a luxury retirement village in Kent where four residents gather to investigate crime cases, including a "live" murder mystery. Osman said that he was "in talks" for a TV adaptation of his novel. Osman later confirmed that Steven Spielberg had acquired the book's film rights. The book has sold well over one million copies in the UK, and sold 45,000 UK hardback copies in the first three days after publication.The first novel in the series was followed by The Man Who Died Twice in 2021, The Bullet That Missed in 2022, and The Last Devil To Die in 2023; the latter of which reached number-one on the New York Times Best Seller list. A fifth book is planned for release in 2025.Osman's upcoming book We Solve Murders, will be .... Discover the Richard Osman popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Richard Osman books.

Best Seller Richard Osman Books of 2024

  • The Car Share synopsis, comments

    The Car Share

    Zoe Brisby

    'I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Amazon reviewer 'Outrageously funny!' Amazon reviewer 'Extremely touching' Amazon reviewer 'An absolute delight' Netgalley reviewerThe PERFECT C...

  • Wycliffe and the Three Toed Pussy synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Three Toed Pussy

    W.J. Burley

    A case involving a dead woman with a deformed foot and a mysterious past requires all Superintendent Wycliffe's investigative skills.The peace of the village of Kergwyns in Cornwal...

  • Murder in an Irish Bookshop synopsis, comments

    Murder in an Irish Bookshop

    Carlene O'Connor

    When a new bookstore in the County Cork Irish village of Kilbane closes the book on an author’s life, it’s up to Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan to resolve the story . . . Between trainin...

  • The Last Devil to Die synopsis, comments

    The Last Devil to Die

    Richard Osman

    An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!A new mystery is afoot in the fourth book in the Thursday Murder Club series from millioncopy bestselling author Richard OsmanIt's...

  • Murder in an Irish Cottage synopsis, comments

    Murder in an Irish Cottage

    Carlene O'Connor

    In a remoteand superstitiousvillage in County Cork, Ireland, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan must solve a murder where the prime suspects are fairies . . .   Family is everything to ...

  • Hard Time synopsis, comments

    Hard Time

    Jodi Taylor

    'Perfect for anyone who loves fastpaced action with strong, memorable characters who drive the story forward with a combination of ingenuity and incompetence. Highly recommended' B...

  • The Appeal synopsis, comments

    The Appeal

    Janice Hallett

    INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER Named a Best Book of 2022 by The New York Times, Air Mail, and more!“[W]itty, original…a delight.” The New York TimesPerfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Lisa...

  • Murder on an Irish Farm synopsis, comments

    Murder on an Irish Farm

    Carlene O'Connor

    In this enchanting new read in the fanfavorite series from a USA Today bestselling author, garda of County Cork, Ireland, Siobhán O’Sullivan and Macdaras Flannery, are about to get...

  • Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel synopsis, comments

    Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel

    Glenda Young

    The third in the pageturning cosy crime series from Glenda Young, this unputdownable whodunnit is perfect for fans of Julia Chapman's Dales Detective Agency, Richard Osman's The Th...

  • Saving Time synopsis, comments

    Saving Time

    Jodi Taylor

    From the bestselling author of THE CHRONICLES OF ST MARY'S.Life is good for Team Weird, now heroes and fully fledged Time Police officers. Luke can't wait to bear arms. Jane has a ...

  • The Wintringham Mystery synopsis, comments

    The Wintringham Mystery

    Anthony Berkeley

    Republished for the first time in nearly 95 years, a classic winter country house mystery by the founder of the Detection Club, with a twist that even Agatha Christie couldn’t solv...

  • The Shadow Child synopsis, comments

    The Shadow Child

    Rachel Hancox

    Can you ever escape from the shadows of your past?'I couldn't put it down!' Sam Blake'The narrative is multilayered and bound by emotional integrity.' Candis'A compelling story of ...

  • Never Somewhere Else synopsis, comments

    Never Somewhere Else

    Alex Gray

    Discover your next reading obsession with this iconic first novel in Alex Gray's bestselling Scottish detective series. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeve...

  • The Murders at Foxglove Close synopsis, comments

    The Murders at Foxglove Close

    Rose Temple

    If you enjoyed Midsomer Murders, you will love Rose Temple's Neighbourhood Watch series! Perfect for fans of Betty Rowlands, Faith Martin and Helen Cox.The sleepy village of Little...

  • Wycliffe and the Cycle of Death synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Cycle of Death

    W.J. Burley

    A respectable bookseller is found bludgeoned and strangled and it's up to Chief Superintendent Wycliffe to find out why . . .When Matthew Glynn is murdered, Wycliffe is mystified. ...

  • What She Lost synopsis, comments

    What She Lost

    Susan Elliot Wright

    From the acclaimed author of The Flight of Cornelia Blackwood All families have their secrets. But the truth will out . . . Eleanor and her mother Marjorie have always had a diffi...

  • In the Blood synopsis, comments

    In the Blood

    Margaret Kirk

    The bloated remains of a man are discovered bound to a derelict pier in Orkney and newly promoted DCI Lukas Mahler dispatches a team to investigate. But when the body is identified...

  • Mystery in Provence synopsis, comments

    Mystery in Provence

    Vivian Conroy

    Figure out whodunnit in this exciting new 1930s crime series that whisks you away to the most gorgeous escapist destinations! A beautiful French estateA weddingA murderAnd a novice...

  • The Stalker synopsis, comments

    The Stalker

    Alex Gray

    Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray's bestselling Scottish detective series Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. Book 20 in the Lorimer series, QUESTIONS FOR A DEA...

  • Before the Storm synopsis, comments

    Before the Storm

    Alex Gray

    Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray's Sunday Times bestselling Scottish detective series Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. Book 20 in the Lorimer series, QUEST...

  • Last Dance in Salzburg synopsis, comments

    Last Dance in Salzburg

    Vivian Conroy

    Agatha Christie meets Julie Caplin in this exciting new cosy crime series that captures the glamour of the 1930s with the gorgeous escapist destinations! Look out for more Miss Ash...

  • Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel synopsis, comments

    Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel

    Glenda Young

    'A perfect example of what cosy crime should be like drama, mystery and intrigue' Ginger Book GeekThe second in the pageturning cosy crime series from Glenda Young, this unputdown...

  • Another Time, Another Place synopsis, comments

    Another Time, Another Place

    Jodi Taylor

    'Jodi Taylor is quite simply the Queen of Time. Her books are a swashbuckling joyride through History' C. K. MCDONNELL'A great mix of British properness and humour with a large dol...

  • Just One Damned Thing After Another synopsis, comments

    Just One Damned Thing After Another

    Jodi Taylor

    'One of my favourite books of all time' CHARLAINE HARRIS 'Jodi Taylor is quite simply the Queen of Time. Her books are a swashbuckling joyride through History' C. K. MCDONNELL'A gr...

  • Plan for the Worst synopsis, comments

    Plan for the Worst

    Jodi Taylor

    'A great mix of British properness and humour with a large dollop of historical fun' BOOK 11 IN THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING CHRONICLES OF ST MARY'S SERIESFor fans of Richard O...

  • All My Lies synopsis, comments

    All My Lies

    Sophie Flynn

    'Perfectly paced, suspenseful and gripping a real pageturner' SOPHIE HANNAH, author of Haven't They Grown 'A rollercoaster ride with a cast of flawed characters an exce...

  • The Life of Crime synopsis, comments

    The Life of Crime

    Martin Edwards

    Winner of four major prizes for the best critical/biographical book related to crime fiction: the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity and H.R.F. Keating Awards; and shortlisted for both the A...

  • Last Seen in Santorini synopsis, comments

    Last Seen in Santorini

    Vivian Conroy

    ‘Real escapism…for me the book was an absolute win’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A gorgeous Greek islandA stranger in a veilAnd a fatal fall from the cliffs…Miss Atalanta Ashford is sightseeing near Venic...

  • Murder in an Irish Churchyard synopsis, comments

    Murder in an Irish Churchyard

    Carlene O'Connor

    After joining the police force of her small Irish village, a local woman must investigate the murder of a stranger in this cozy mystery novel.   After solving two murders in t...

  • Murder at an Irish Wedding synopsis, comments

    Murder at an Irish Wedding

    Carlene O'Connor

    A celebrity wedding in a small Irish village goes from festive to funerary when the best man is murdered in this cozy mystery novel.   Any wedding is a big deal in the County ...

  • The List synopsis, comments

    The List

    Carys Jones

    Five names on a list. The first two are dead.The third is yours.A riproaring, addictive, intense and emotional thriller for fans of Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware, Phoebe Morgan, CL Taylor ...

  • About Time synopsis, comments

    About Time

    Jodi Taylor

    From the millioncopy bestselling author of THE CHRONICLES OF ST MARY'S.'Jodi Taylor is quite simply the Queen of Time' C. K. MCDONNELLTwentyfour hours is a long Time in the Time Po...

  • The Echo Chamber synopsis, comments

    The Echo Chamber

    John Boyne

    'His relish is infectious' Times'The funniest book I've read in ages. Savage but compelling' Ian Rankin'Funny, rumbustious, unstinting and wonderfully Hogarthian' The Observer'Shar...

  • Denial synopsis, comments

    Denial

    Peter James

    Introducing policeman Glenn Branson...When actress Gloria Lamark takes her own life, her devoted son, Thomas, is heartbroken. Something must be wrong with a world in which such a t...

  • In a Cottage in a Wood synopsis, comments

    In a Cottage in a Wood

    Cass Green

    Her dream home will become her worst nightmare…A dark and twisty psychological thriller from the No.1 ebook bestselling author of The Woman Next Door.A strange encounterNeve comes ...

  • Murder at the Seaview Hotel synopsis, comments

    Murder at the Seaview Hotel

    Glenda Young

    'I loved this warm, humorous and involving whodunnit with its host of engaging characters and atmospheric Scarborough setting' CLARE CHASE'Just the heartwarming tonic readers need ...

  • A Catalogue of Catastrophe synopsis, comments

    A Catalogue of Catastrophe

    Jodi Taylor

    'Jodi Taylor is quite simply the Queen of Time. Her books are a swashbuckling joyride through History' C. K. MCDONNELL BOOK 13 IN THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING CHRONICLES OF ST M...

  • Murder in an Irish Village synopsis, comments

    Murder in an Irish Village

    Carlene O'Connor

    “If Janet Evanovich and Maeve Binchy wrote a book together, [this] would be the result . . . Siobhán O’Sullivan is a character to savor.”Laurien Berenson, author of ...

  • Picture Perfect Frame synopsis, comments

    Picture Perfect Frame

    Lynn Cahoon

    In the newest cozy caper in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Tourist Trap series, a new art studio has opened in the coastal California town of South Covebut it’s about...

  • Shadow Man synopsis, comments

    Shadow Man

    Margaret Kirk

    'Shadow Man is a harrowing and horrific game of consequences.' Val McDermid THE FIRST COMPELLING SCOTTISH CRIME THRILLER IN THE GRIPPING DI LUKAS MAHLER SERIESTwo sistersJust befo...

  • Murder at an Irish Christmas synopsis, comments

    Murder at an Irish Christmas

    Carlene O'Connor

    Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan’s holiday plans hit a sour note when murder rearranges the yuletide carols into unexpected eulogies . . .   This December in Kilbane, if you’re planni...

  • Fallen Angel synopsis, comments

    Fallen Angel

    Christopher Brookmyre

    'Gloriously dark, deliciously twisty' CLARE MACKINTOSH ONE FAMILY, TWO HOLIDAYS, ONE DEVASTATING SECRETTo new nanny Amanda, the Temple family seem to have it all: the former actres...

  • Bodies from the Library synopsis, comments

    Bodies from the Library

    Tony Medawar, Agatha Christie, Georgette Heyer, A. A. Milne, Nicholas Blake & Christianna Brand

    This anthology of rare stories of crime and suspense brings together 16 rare tales by masters of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction for the first time in book form, including a ne...