The Last Devil To Die

Richard Osman delivers yet another delightful and poignant mystery in The Last Devil to Die, the fourth instalment in The Thursday Murder Club series.

This time, our beloved quartet of pensioners - Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron - find themselves entangled in a dangerous web of smuggling, deception, and murder when an antiques dealer, Kuldesh Sharma, is found dead under mysterious circumstances.

As always, Osman's strength lies in his character work. The elderly sleuths remain sharp, funny, and endlessly endearing.

Joyce, with her diary entries, provides laugh-out-loud moments, while Elizabeth's steely determination is beautifully contrasted with her tender relationship with her husband, Stephen, who is struggling with dementia. The friendships feel more profound than ever, and the emotional depth of the novel makes it one of the most touching in the series.

The mystery itself is fast-paced and cleverly plotted, involving heroin trafficking, an ominous terracotta box, and a host of new and suspicious characters.

Osman balances humour with moments of genuine tension, proving once again that cozy crime doesn't have to be predictable. The novel's blend of intrigue, warmth, and wit keeps readers eagerly turning pages.

But what sets this book apart is its exploration of aging, loss, and love. The gang isn't just solving crimes; they're facing the realities of growing old, navigating loneliness, and cherishing the time they have left.

It's rare for a mystery novel to be this funny and this moving at the same time.

Osman's signature charm and intelligence shine through every page, making The Last Devil to Die a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

A perfect blend of mystery, humour, and heart.