Well, here we go again, folks. Just when you thought it was safe to retire to a nice, quiet village in Kent, Richard Osman drags us back into the delightfully dangerous world of the Thursday Murder Club. “The Last Devil to Die” is the fourth installment in this charming series, and let me tell you, these senior sleuths haven’t lost a step. If anything, they’ve only gotten sharper – and sneakier.
For the uninitiated (and really, where have you been?), the Thursday Murder Club is a group of retirees at the Coopers Chase retirement village who meet weekly to solve cold cases. Except, wouldn’t you know it, they keep stumbling into very fresh, very real murders. Led by the enigmatic former spy Elizabeth, no-nonsense ex-nurse Joyce, retired psychiatrist Ibrahim, and rabble-rousing former union leader Ron, this gang of septuagenarian super-sleuths has become a worldwide phenomenon. And for good reason – they’re an absolute hoot.
In this latest outing, our intrepid pensioners find themselves tangled up in a web of international drug smuggling, antique forgeries, and – of course – murder most foul. When their friend Kuldesh, an antique dealer, turns up dead in his car, the gang springs into action. What follows is a twisty, turny adventure involving heroin hidden in ancient artifacts, ruthless criminals, and more red herrings than you can shake a walking stick at.
A Cozy Mystery with Teeth
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Another cozy mystery about old people solving crimes? Hasn’t this been done to death?” (Pun very much intended.) But here’s the thing – Osman’s books are so much more than your standard village whodunit. Yes, there are charming local characters and quaint English settings. But there’s also a surprising amount of depth, heart, and genuine insight into the human condition.
Take Elizabeth, for example. In this book, she’s dealing with her husband Stephen’s worsening dementia. It’s handled with such tenderness and raw honesty that I found myself tearing up more than once. Osman doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of aging, even as he celebrates the wisdom and resilience that come with it.
And then there’s the humor. Oh boy, the humor. Osman’s wit is as sharp as ever, with laugh-out-loud moments on nearly every page. The banter between our main characters is an absolute joy. I particularly love Joyce’s deadpan diary entries, which often veer into hilariously mundane details about her day-to-day life, even as she’s knee-deep in a murder investigation.
A Cast of Characters to Die For
One of the great strengths of this series is its ensemble cast, and “The Last Devil to Die” gives each of our core four plenty of time to shine. Elizabeth remains the steely-eyed mastermind, pulling strings and manipulating events with the skill of a chess grandmaster. But we also see her vulnerability as she grapples with Stephen’s decline.
Joyce continues to be the heart and soul of the group, her seemingly innocent observations often cutting right to the heart of the matter. Ibrahim gets to flex his psychiatric muscles, particularly in his sessions with imprisoned drug dealer Connie Johnson. And Ron… well, Ron is still beautifully, belligerently Ron, picking fights and making inappropriate comments with gleeful abandon.
But it’s not just our main quartet that shines. Osman has populated Coopers Chase and the surrounding area with a rich tapestry of supporting characters. There’s DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas, the long-suffering local police who find themselves reluctantly working with (and often outsmarted by) our gang of OAP detectives. Bogdan, the strapping Polish builder with a heart of gold and possibly a shady past. And let’s not forget Joyce’s dog Alan, who might just be the real hero of the story.
A Plot Thicker Than Christmas Pudding
Alright, let’s talk plot. Without giving too much away (because really, half the fun is in the twists and turns), “The Last Devil to Die” centers around a shipment of heroin smuggled into the country inside an ancient Mesopotamian artifact. When their friend Kuldesh ends up dead, our heroes find themselves caught in the crosshairs of some very dangerous people.
What follows is a delightfully convoluted caper involving rival drug gangs, international antiquities smugglers, and more double-crosses than you can shake a stick at. Osman keeps the pages turning with short, punchy chapters and cliffhangers galore. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, he pulls the rug out from under you.
But here’s the clever bit – amid all the criminal shenanigans, Osman weaves in thoughtful explorations of friendship, loyalty, and the indignities of aging. There’s a particularly poignant subplot involving Elizabeth and Stephen that adds real emotional weight to the proceedings.
The Art of the Cozy Thriller
What Osman has managed to create with the Thursday Murder Club series is something truly special—a perfect blend of cozy mystery charm and genuine thriller suspense. It’s like if Miss Marple joined forces with Jason Bourne, but they all stopped for tea and scones halfway through the car chase.
The village setting and quirky characters provide that warm, comforting cozy mystery feel. But Osman isn’t afraid to go dark when the story calls for it. There are moments of genuine tension and even some pretty brutal violence (though it’s never gratuitous). It’s a tricky balance to strike, but Osman pulls it off with aplomb.
And can we talk about the writing for a moment? Osman’s prose is deceptively simple, but there’s real craft at work here. He has a gift for snappy dialogue and clever turns of phrase. Take this little gem: “Elizabeth has cracked harder nuts than Mervyn over the years. She once had to question a Soviet general who had not uttered a single word in more than three months of captivity, and within the hour he was singing Noël Coward songs with her.” I mean, come on. That’s just delightful.
A Series That Keeps Getting Better
Here’s the really impressive thing – four books in, and the Thursday Murder Club series shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, “The Last Devil to Die” might be the best one yet. Osman has clearly hit his stride, perfectly balancing the various elements that make these books so enjoyable.
It’s a far cry from his debut, “The Thursday Murder Club,” which, while charming, sometimes felt a bit unsure of itself. With each subsequent book (“The Man Who Died Twice” and “The Bullet That Missed“), Osman has honed his craft, deepening the characters and expanding the world of Coopers Chase.
“The Last Devil to Die” feels like the work of an author completely in control of his material. The pacing is tighter, the mysteries more intricately plotted, and the emotional beats land with greater impact. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to immediately go back and re-read the whole series.
A Cultural Phenomenon
It’s worth noting just how much of a phenomenon the Thursday Murder Club has become. These books are bestsellers around the world, beloved by readers of all ages. There’s even a film adaptation in the works, with Steven Spielberg attached to direct. (Can we start a petition to get Judi Dench as Elizabeth? Just putting that out into the universe.)
What’s remarkable is how universal the appeal seems to be. Yes, the main characters are in their seventies, but these books resonate with readers across generations. There’s something deeply comforting about the idea that you’re never too old for adventure, never too old to make a difference.
In a world that often seems to value youth above all else, the Thursday Murder Club is a welcome reminder that wisdom, experience, and a well-developed sense of mischief can be powerful weapons indeed.
The Verdict: A Killer Read
Look, I’ll be honest—I’m completely biased at this point. I love these characters, I love this world, and I will happily follow Richard Osman down whatever twisty, murderous path he wants to take us. But even trying to be objective, “The Last Devil to Die” is just a cracking good read.
It’s funny, it’s touching, it’s clever, and it will keep you guessing until the very end. The characters feel like old friends (or, in some cases, delightfully exasperating relatives), and spending time in their company is an absolute joy.
If you’re new to the series, I’d recommend starting from the beginning to get the full effect. But honestly, you could probably jump in here and still have a ball. Just be prepared to immediately want to go back and read the rest.
So grab a cup of tea, settle into your comfiest chair, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained. The Thursday Murder Club is on the case, and retirement has never been so exciting. Just… maybe don’t accept any invitations to Coopers Chase. The murder rate there is alarmingly high.