The Last Devil To Die: The Thursday Murder Club 4
£10.50£20.90 (-50%)
THE FOURTH NOVEL IN THE RECORD-BREAKING, MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING THURSDAY MURDER CLUB SERIES BY RICHARD OSMAN
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‘The rightful king of crime’ i News
‘Deeply moving… some of his best writing yet’ Telegraph
Shocking news reaches the Thursday Murder Club.
An old friend in the antiques business has been killed, and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing.
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, the package still missing and trouble firmly on their tail, has their luck finally run out? And who will be the last devil to die?
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‘As charming and funny as always but SO MOVING’ Marian Keyes
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Additional information
| Publisher | 1st edition (14 Sept. 2023), Viking |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 432 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0241512441 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0241512449 |
| Dimensions | 16.2 x 3.8 x 24 cm |
by Caroline
I’m going to kick off by saying this is a 5 star read for me. Richard Osman has grown beautifully into this series.
The first thing to say is that I would gently recommend reading the series in order, from here you can follow the group from the very start and find out the history of such loved characters as Bogdan, Jill, Chris and Pauline and how they fit into the Thursday Murder Club world.
The main four though are brilliant characters; ex-spy Elizabeth, Union firebrand Ron, thoughtful Ibrahim and Joyce, who is probably the heart of the group. The dynamic between the four completely work and it was wonderful to learn more about gentle Ibrahim’s past.
This group are in a wonderful retirement village with plenty going on. Indeed it was whilst visiting one such retirement village that Richard Osman was inspired to write the Thursday Murder Club series.
With this novel, there is an aching poignancy about it. Particularly as we lose a beloved character. This is written beautifully, movingly and with dignity, I did shed a tear myself and would defy you not to do the same.
Of course there are plenty of lighter moments to make you laugh out loud. The criminals are almost loveable rogues, accepting of the adage ‘live by the sword, die by the sword, juxtaposed with a conversation about the family or new business ventures. The terrifying Connie, residing in prison, lives a life of luxury whilst running her drug business and being counselled by Ibrahim. The pair form an unlikely bond.
I was pleased to read in the acknowledgements that whilst Richard Osman will be taking a break from the Thursday Murder Club, it will NOT be the last in the series. Thank heavens is all I say! I want to read more about this brilliant group of characters.
This is a worthy addition to the series and is probably my favourite so far. I’ve loved them all, but this feels richer, more vibrant and especially poignant. Rush out and read this, or pop it onto your Christmas lists. You will not regret it!
by efb
But that often happens to people who live in the equivalent of Coopers Chase, as I do.
I read the first of this series just before moving in to my “suite” a few months ago. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or run. As my legs are not up to running I opted for the first two.
After moving in and becoming aware that my new home is a satellite of CC only further north I have been working on my legs; and have so far passed seven copies of the first book out to “villagers” and staff.
All agree that this is us.
I worry now about them reaching book four. The fun and jinx have now been replaced by real life; and it is still our real lives. It happens. It is horribly sad but we prevail.
Luckily most of my neighbours have not moved on to ebooks and have yet to read book two. I have teams of spies searching second hand book stores from Uist to Jersey (anyone who thinks that is a joke is not taking these books seriously).
Oldies like me usually spend money on wine before books so I have a few months to stock pile tissues.
Richard Osman owes a great deal to his mother. I think we should organise a country wide village network so these books will not stop at five. There are tales too unimaginable to be anything other than true.
I expect over 55s budding authors will be queuing up to move in.
But first they have to pass the initiation.
It is a 1,000 piece jigsaw this week.
by LiseyP
The residents of Coopers Chase have seen a lot, but the impact has rarely been felt so close to home. Drawn into the world of international smugglers and scam artists Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron are on the case.
The fourth book in the Thursday Murder Club series will hopefully prove to anyone who has had their doubts that these are not cosy mysteries. Like the members of the club itself it feels like these books are sometimes dismissed as gentle or cosy. But, the emotionally loaded fourth instalment shows that there is so much more to these books.
Real threats and real consequences, and a real understanding that while the motivations of thieves and murderers may be complex, the real villain of the piece is unstoppable illness and hard choices for those who may be left behind.
Joyce continues to grow as one of the best characters. It’s great to see her capable, practical side from years as an emergency room nurse coming to the fore here as for plot reasons Elizabeth takes a but of a step back.
But even the new characters we have not had the chance to build an understanding of manage to be well-rounded. And if not sympathetic then at least interesting and understandable.
In the acknowledgments the author says there won’t be a new Thursday Murder Club book next, as he pauses the series to explore some different characters (still crime). This is good for the Coopers Chase crew as it feels like they could really do with some time to take stock and recover from the events of this book.
by H23M
I’m going to start by saying I resisted reading this series because I was determined not to like them. I thought the author was cashing in on his celebrity and consequently would be a terrible writer. I was wrong.
The books are a delight, but especially this one. A beautiful, moving description and treatment of such a cruel unforgiving disease had me in tears.
The story romps along with glee, plenty of murders, and a suspension of disbelief, which is a delight. but as with all good writing, it is the characters who bring you on the journey.
My only sadness is that, like Agatha Christie, Richard Osmon has chosen his protagonists as retired. Ms Christie regretted that choice as it limited the number of books she could write. I can only hope that the Thursday murder club will look after themselves.
Thank you for a wonderful read!