The Last Devil to Die
The Last Devil to Die (Thursday Murder Club, 4), Richard Osman. Penguin Books (ISBN: 9780593299449) 2024.
Summary: The Thursday Murder Club investigates the murder of Stephen’s friend Kuldesh while Stephen’s dementia worsens.
Remember Kuldesh Sharma? He was an antiques dealer and an old friend of Stephen’s who helped with a key piece of information in a previous case. A stranger brought an old box to his shop, asked a small amount for it with the assurance that another man would come the next day and offer him more. That night, he makes some calls, drives to a remote lane, and is murdered.
While Chris and Donna investigate, the Thursday Murder Club kicks into action. Bogdan had gotten the news and they could not let the murderer of Stephen’s friend go free. One of the first things they learn is that the box is missing. And it turns out there are a lot of people interested in it, mainly because of its contents–a large quantity of heroin. Although it was a local murder, the National Crime Agency send their senior agent, Jill Regan, to take over, kicking Chris and Donna of the case and out of their offices.
It turns out that the heroin network wants to find the box as well. The supplier is threatening death if they don’t pay up. And Samantha and Garth Barnes, who specialize in art fraud take an interest as well. As does a university professor, Nina Mishra. There’s a long list of suspects–until one by one, they start dying.
Part of the fun is that the Thursday Murder Club seems to have more information than Jill Regan. Meanwhile, they also are having fun trapping a romance fraudster bilking one of the residents out of money. But Elizabeth isn’t able to join all the fun.
Stephen’s dementia is worsening. Chapter 13 narrates Stephen’s increasing confusion in a remarkable description of the experience of dementia. It is clear he and Elizabeth are facing some hard decisions. This is a major subplot of the book. Osman’s treatment is sensitive and insightful.
However, Elizabeth is there for the denouement after a number of plot twists. Meanwhile, Joyce steps up her leadership while Elizabeth is absent. And Ibrahim continues to develop an interesting relationship with Connie.
In a conversation at the end of the book, Osman announces that the Thursday Murder Club will be on hiatus for a time while he introduces a new series (We Solve Murders being the first). I do hope Osman is able to keep his word. I love how this series is developing!