Where Is Thursday Murder Club Set

You know that feeling when you're desperate for a cozy escape, but you can't afford a plane ticket? That's exactly the vibe of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club. It’s a book that makes you want to pull up a chair, pour a cup of tea, and never leave. But where, exactly, is this magical, murder-filled retirement village?

The short answer is a fictional English village called Coopers Chase. It’s not a real place you can find on Google Maps, but its heart is unmistakably British. Think rolling green hills, a village pub with a crackling fire, and streets where everyone knows everyone else's business.

Your Next Best Holiday Destination

Coopers Chase is a luxury retirement community, built by a developer who clearly loved a good sunset. Imagine a place where the biggest scandal is someone stealing a biscuit from the communal tin—until a body turns up, of course. The setting is so vivid, you’ll swear you can smell the freshly mowed lawn and hear the distant clink of teacups.

Author Richard Osman based the atmosphere on the real English countryside of Kent and Sussex. He’s said in interviews that he pictured a specific spot near the South Downs, where the chalk hills meet the sea. If you’ve ever driven through the rolling, sheep-dotted landscapes of southern England, you’ll recognize the peaceful, slightly sleepy vibe immediately.

Why should you care about a fictional retirement village? Because we all need a breather from our own frantic lives. Coopers Chase is the place where trouble comes to visit, but the residents are the ones fixing it. It’s like a cozy blanket wrapped around a murder plot.

The Real-Life Inspirations (No Passport Required)

The book’s setting feels so real because it’s stitched together from bits of everyday British life. The local police station is just a tiny counter in a corner shop, and the pub is called The Anchor. It’s the kind of place where you’d dash in for a pint and accidentally solve a forty-year-old mystery.

Richard Osman issues major update for The Thursday Murder Club film as

You might recognize a bit of your own hometown in Coopers Chase. The community hall where the Thursday Murder Club meets? That’s every village hall you’ve ever seen: folding chairs, a slightly lopsided cake stall, and a noticeboard full of cat-sitting ads. Osman has said he wanted it to feel like a place you could move into tomorrow.

And that’s the magic. You don’t need a map to find it. You simply need to open the book, and you’re right there—sitting next to Ron, Joyce, Ibrahim, and the magnificent Elizabeth. They’re your new neighbors, and their front doors are always open for a good chat (and a bit of sleuthing).

Why You’ll Want to Retire There (Even If You’re 25)

Let’s be honest: most of us would love a simpler life where the biggest decision is what to have for lunch. At Coopers Chase, the residents have time to notice the small details—like a suspiciously tidy garden shed or an unexpected phone call. The setting gives them the space to be brilliant.

It’s also a place with no boring neighbors. Instead of complaining about noise, your neighbors are former spies, nurses, and trade union leaders. The setting acts like a character itself—it’s the quiet backdrop that lets these extraordinary people shine. You care because you start to imagine yourself there, solving puzzles with a bunch of sharp-witted pensioners.

Netflix's The Thursday Murder Club Filming Locations (2025)

Osman once said he wrote the book for his mother, to entertain her during lockdown. So the setting is intentionally comforting, like a warm hug after a long day. It’s the literary equivalent of sinking into a soft armchair with a plate of fresh scones. No traffic jams, no deadlines—just murder, friendship, and excellent tea.

The Takeaway: It’s Closer Than You Think

You don’t need to book a flight to JFK or Heathrow. Coopers Chase lives in your imagination, waiting for you to visit. The series proves that the best adventures often happen in the most unexpected places—like a quiet retirement village in the English countryside.

So next time you’re stuck in traffic or scrolling through yet another stressful news headline, remember this: a little village exists where the residents are witty, the gardens are manicured, and murder is just another Tuesday. And you can get there in fewer than ten pages.

Grab a copy, pour yourself something warm, and let the Thursday Murder Club welcome you home. The kettle’s always on, and the mystery is just intriguing enough to keep you from ever wanting to leave.