Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman Narrator: Fiona Shaw
Series: Thursday Murder Club #4
Published by Penguin Audio on September 19, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 10 hours, 52 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
You'd think you would be allowed to relax over Christmas, but not in the world of the Thursday Murder Club.
On Boxing Day, a dangerous package is smuggled across the English coast. When it goes missing, chaos is unleashed. The body count starts to rise - including someone close to the Thursday Murder Club - as our gang face an impossible search and their most deadly opponents yet.
I love the characters in the Thursday Murder Club series. The main characters are seniors in their 70s in a home in England. The points of view vary but Joyce is always one of them writing in her journal. I was a bit frightened by how involved they got with the drug dealers who were killing people.
The case relates to drug dealers and the ways they bring drugs into the country to distribute. The drugs aren’t the only thing they are smuggling. The drug dealers are using innocent antiquities businesses in their schemes. Who better than innocents to shield them? Now an older man with an antiques shop has been killed and the package disappeared. The victim was a friend of Stephen.
Elizabeth is preoccupied with Stephen’s deteriorating condition. He remembers less of the present and people in his life, even those who are close like Bogdan who plays chess with him. His memories are more of the old days.
The case is taken out of the hands of the local team, Chris and Donna, to a national force. But they, along with the Thursday Murder Club continue to investigate. Of course. They really have a far reaching set of contacts. Joyce takes more of a lead since Elizabeth is busy. Luckily, the villains have a tendency to underestimate her even more than they underestimate the rest of the club.
There are many situations which have me cringing at the danger. The group is often not taken seriously. Also, their great experience in life, seems to keep them calm and competent in the worst situations. I loved this so much and can’t recommend it more highly. I would read them in order just because you don’t want to miss any of them. There was a lovely chat at the end with the author and narrator. I’m thrilled to know there will definitely be more books.
Narration:
The narrator was changed after the first two books. Lesley Manville narrated them and Fiona Shaw the next two. I am never sure if that is going to work for me, but I was comfortable with Shaw. While I noticed a difference, her voice for Elizabeth seemed the most natural to me, but the others worked as well. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Fiona Shaw
Fiona was born in London in 1964. Her place of birth is now a hospital broom cupboard and her first home was on a street later obliterated beneath a superstore off the Cromwell Rd. However, she passed most of her childhood as the eldest of three girls in a lovely and spacious family home near the Thames.
Fiona studied various literatures at the Universities of York and Sussex, finishing with a PhD on poet Elizabeth Bishop.
Since then, Fiona has written a memoir and four novels and done the habitual round of the novelist’s other jobs to help balance out her stubborn desire to write.
Fiona has worked as a Royal Literary Fund writing fellow at the University of York, 2007-2009, and is now working as RLF writing fellow in Sheffield University, attached to the Animal and Plant Sciences Department.
Living in York with her partner and two daughters, Fiona reads a great deal, cycles everywhere, grows vegetables with variable success and acquires more films than she ever gets around to watching. She is working on her fifth novel.
About Richard Osman
Richard Osman is an author, producer and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club is his first novel. He is well known for TV shows including Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. As the creative director of Endemol UK, Richard has worked as an executive producer on numerous shows including Deal Or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is also a regular on panel and game shows such as Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You and Taskmaster.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I’m glad the change in narrator didn’t ruin anything
yes it’s always something I worry about, so that’s why I mention it in my review, but this one went well.
Love this series, though I’m getting behind. Excellent review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. It’s just so good.
As usual this publisher rejected my request. I have it on hold at the library and can’t wait! I love this series, too, as you know. 🙂
Oh I’m sorry Rachel. Some publishers just don’t like me. I almost never can get any Avon / Harlequin books. I really loved it and I’m sure you will enjoy it too.
I have a feeling this series will be right up my alley when I get around to it and your reviews nudge me to make that sooner rather than later.
This is the 4th one and a great time to start reading them. I love them and I think you will too.
I think that I will probably pick up these books soon. They sound great and I have a feeling that my mom would love the series as well.
I hope you get a chance Carole. They are delightfully witty and a good study of some human nature.
I have completely enjoyed the other books in the series. Looking forward to getting to this one so I didn’t read your whole review…yet.
Thanks Robin. These are really fun. I like the subtle humor and the human nature of all the individual characters.