The fourth book in the record-breaking Thursday Murder Club series from British national treasure author, producer and television presenter.
Our favourite octogenarians are back to solve yet another mystery with The Thursday Murder Club, and this time they’re set to face their most deadly opponents yet!
In this fourth instalment, The Thursday Murder Club receives shocking news that an old friend in the antiques business has been killed, and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing. With $100,000 worth of drugs seemingly vanished, the gang is back on the case, and chaos is unleashed.
As the gang springs into action they encounter art forgers, online fraudsters and drug dealers, as well as heartache close to home. With the body count rising and trouble firmly on their tail, has their luck finally run out? Who will be the last devil to die?
Osman masterfully executes excellent characterisations, witticisms, superb turns of phrase, pacy plot, and deeply satisfying structure that crackles with humour. There are also plenty of resonant themes which focus on the heart of humanity.
In The Last Devil to Die, Osman offers an utterly generous and completely compassionate look at the companionship and connection we all long for – regardless of our age.
Osman has the rare capacity to seamlessly switch from his characters’ reflections from ageing, dementia and death to internet scams, air fryers and daffodils. It’s quite a phenomenal ability and underlies his dexterity as a writer and the delight of this read.
The characters in this are deeply loveable, delightfully flawed and unflinchingly relatable – as is their connection and friendship. It’s definitely a gang you’d want to hang out with. If being in your 80s means friendships with Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron and the others – chasing after missing parcels and escaping drug lords – then I’m all for it. There’s a tender balance of silly and soulful, placing a lot of our attitudes on ageing and death into perspective.
The genius Spike Milligan once said ‘Life is too serious to be taken seriously’. Osman, with his wonderful insights, charm and grace, imbues this series with that spirit, and particularly this edition of it. Go and buy several copies of The Last Devil to Die: one for you, one for your bestie and one for any elder in your life who needs a pick-me-up.
Leave a Reply