Rec. #898: The Thursday Murder Club

 

What: This mystery novel is clever enough to function above and beyond its almost-twee high-concept premise --- a group of residents in a retirement village investigates a murder.

It's so clever and accomplished that Kate Atkinson herself blurbed it.

Comparable to: Tone-wise, it's not unlike Knives Out.

Representative quotes: 

"I would never have therapy, because who wants to unravel all that knitting?"

"That would be like looking for a needle in a haystack made entirely of needles."

"He’s all the things that can go wrong with men if you leave them to their own devices."

How to get it: The Thursday Murder Club has been a critical and commercial success and is widely available. At least two sequels are planned. Steven Spielberg's production company bought the film rights.

Connections to previous Wreckage: Author Richard Osman was on the second series of Taskmaster (see List #97). Knives Out was Rec. #856: Best Time at the Movie Theater. 

Rec. #897/Streaming Suggestion of the Week #56: The Dog House UK

 

Stream what: Watch as people as people are matched with their best-fit rescue dog. 

Stream why: This series honestly could have coasted just on all the emotional buttons of cute, like some sort of extended compilation of YouTube animal videos -- but instead, we get layers from both the people (what are you telling yourself about your life?) and the dogs (how much does connection cost?).

Also, there's this great out-of-the-blue bit where receptionist Elisha asks a vicar (and prospective dog owner) about his beliefs: "So do you believe in astrology? What about ghosts?" 

Stream where: Two seasons are now up on HBO Max.

And the rescue center is a real place! Check it out: https://support.woodgreen.org.uk/

Rec. #896: Three Newsletters

 

https://annehelen.substack.com/

Anne Helen Petersen's Culture Study

Latest post: "Who's Afraid of the Four Day Work Week?"

https://kateharding.substack.com/

Kate Harding's Feminism & Dogs

Latest post: "Don't F around with LRQ Pain"

https://lyz.substack.com/

Lyz Lenz's Men Yell at Me

Latest post: "Dingus of the Week: The National Review"

Rec. #895/Streaming Suggestion of the Week #55: Celebrity Best Home Cook

Stream what: You know how The Great British Bake Off does little celebrity sprint versions? This is a celebrity version of Britain's Best Home Cook (where Mary Berry went post-Bake Off) --- but it's a *full season*.

Stream why: Claudia Winkleman remains the most charming host on the planet! The round that determines who goes home is judged blind! Everyone is nice to one another! Mary Berry uses opera glasses to peer at the cooks from a pandemic-safe distance!

Stream where: Hulu

Connections to previous Wreckage: I previously recommended the original, civilian version of Britain's Best Home Cook as Rec. #802 (season 1) and SSoW #35 (season 2).