The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman Summary

The Last Devil to Die is a mystery novel following four elderly sleuths at Coopers Chase retirement village who investigate the murder of antique dealer Kuldesh Sharma. When Kuldesh is shot dead and a dangerous package goes missing, the Thursday Murder Club—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron—spring into action. The story weaves together crime-solving with poignant themes of dementia, friendship, and aging as member Stephen faces declining health.

Richard Osman is an English television presenter, producer, and bestselling novelist born in 1970. He created the BBC quiz show Pointless before transitioning to writing. His Thursday Murder Club series has sold millions of copies worldwide, with Steven Spielberg acquiring film rights. Osman's books blend cozy mystery with humor, heartfelt emotion, and elderly protagonists, creating a unique appeal across generations from 21-year-olds to 99-year-olds.

The Last Devil to Die appeals to fans of cozy mysteries, British crime fiction, and character-driven storytelling. Readers who enjoy lighthearted murder mysteries with emotional depth, witty dialogue, and unconventional elderly detectives will appreciate Osman's work. The book particularly resonates with those interested in stories about aging, dementia, and friendship, while still delivering clever plot twists and satisfying detective work.

The Last Devil to Die earned #1 status on the New York Times Best Seller list and delivers both mystery and emotional resonance. Richard Osman balances humor with heartbreak, particularly through Stephen's dementia storyline and eventual death. The book offers clever crime-solving, memorable characters, and themes of loss and loyalty that elevate it beyond standard cozy mystery fare, making it worthwhile for both series fans and newcomers.

While The Last Devil to Die works as a standalone mystery, reading the Thursday Murder Club series in order enhances the emotional impact. This fourth installment features significant character development, particularly Stephen's dementia progression and Elizabeth's grief. Prior books establish relationships and backstories that deepen the stakes. However, Richard Osman provides enough context for new readers to follow the plot and connect with the characters.

Stephen, Elizabeth's partner, faces advanced dementia in The Last Devil to Die, often failing to recognize people around him. During a lucid moment, he asks Elizabeth to remind him daily of his condition using a letter he wrote himself. After attending a fox's funeral and saying goodbye to the Thursday Murder Club, Stephen chooses assisted dying with Elizabeth by his side, listening to Dvořák, in a deeply emotional conclusion.

The central mystery involves the murder of 80-year-old antique dealer Kuldesh Sharma, shot in a lonely woods after Christmas. The Thursday Murder Club discovers his death connects to a missing package—a 6,000-year-old Mesopotamian box containing heroin. As they investigate, the gang uncovers that university employee Nina killed Kuldesh for the priceless artifact, while crime boss Connie Johnson orchestrated additional murders to control the heroin trade.

The Last Devil to Die examines aging, dementia, mortality, and enduring friendship through Richard Osman's elderly protagonists. Stephen's cognitive decline and death anchor the emotional core, exploring dignified end-of-life choices. The novel balances these heavy themes with humor, community, and resilience. Osman also addresses modern issues like romance scams targeting seniors and the importance of found family in later life stages.

The ancient Mesopotamian box in The Last Devil to Die becomes the story's MacGuffin—a 6,000-year-old artifact worth more than the kilogram of heroin hidden inside. Smuggled from Baghdad by drug dealers, the box passes through Kuldesh's hands before his murder. Elizabeth eventually ensures the box returns to Baghdad with Stephen's ashes inside, honoring his wishes and restoring the cultural artifact to its rightful home.

The Thursday Murder Club features four distinctive pensioners: Elizabeth (sharp former spy), Joyce (optimistic romantic diarist), Ibrahim (intellectual psychiatrist), and Ron (tough ex-unionist). Richard Osman subverts ageist stereotypes by portraying these retirees as clever, tech-savvy, and emotionally complex investigators. Their unconventional methods, connections to criminal underworld figures like Connie Johnson, and genuine friendship create engaging dynamics that balance humor with genuine detective work.

The Last Devil to Die features a subplot where resident Mervyn falls victim to "Tatiana," an internet romance scammer who uses stock photos and requests £5,000 from him. Ibrahim and Ron investigate, with computer-savvy Bob discovering Tatiana and her associate "Jeremmy" share the same IP address. This storyline highlights online fraud targeting elderly populations while providing lighter moments alongside the murder investigation.

The Last Devil to Die marks the most emotionally heavy installment in Richard Osman's series, centering on Stephen's dementia and death. Unlike the lighter earlier books, this fourth novel balances mystery-solving with profound grief and loss. The investigation remains clever and engaging, but Osman deepens character development and stakes. Critics note the bittersweet tone addresses problems facing older people—dementia, fraud, mortality—with honesty and compassion.