Nice story - but each book feels more and more implausible. Heading for scooby-doo territory. Not sure I will read the next one. ( )

A friend of Stephen's is murdered and while Chris and Donna are the original investigators the case is taken away from them. So this adventure starts with two sets of unofficial investigators and some other confusions and sad losses. But by fictional mystery rules I found the original murderer glaringly obvious though there's enough going on to keep the book engaging in spite of that. ( )

The interactions among the Thursday murder club as they evolve are what makes this series. Osman's look at aging, especially in a senior community, is very poignant. The author doesn't shy away from hard topics, romance, adult children, different rates of again in couples and targeted scams. ( )

Richard Osman portrays elderly individuals with understanding and clarity and humor. These are not disposable people, but valid members of society. My favorite character remains Joyce, the diary writer who ties up all loose ends. Many topics enter the story: love scams for lonely individuals and euthanasia. A past homosexual relationship surfaces and the burial of the young man’s ashes. A priceless box containing drugs was delivered to Kuldesh Sharma for him to hold until a courier retrieves. But Kuldesh hides the box, and he is killed. Now begins the race to find the box and find the killer. The box, an ancient artifact, reigns as the more priceless item. The box and drugs will be recovered, but the ending story is not the expected outcome. ( )

THE LAST DEVIL TO DIE by Richard Osman
How can a book about 4 murders be a tender love story? And yet, THE LAST DEVIL TO DIE is a tender love story. Our four senior sleuths, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim, are caught up in a drug war, an art forgery, a “love for money” fraud and the murder of one of Stephen’s friends along with three other murders.
Osman, who has written three other novels starring the four members of the Thursday Murder Club is back again with a delightful, charming and intriguing mystery. His characters are true to form and fine companions for a chill autumn evening or two with a hot cup of tea. Who will be the “last devil to die” and, therefore, the murderer will keep you guessing to the last pages. The main characters are clearly the focus, but Osman makes even minor characters, like the fox, a fully developed personality.
A delightful story well told. Buy it!
5 of 5 stars ( )