Name: The Last Devil to Die
Author: Richard Osman
ISBN: 9780241992401

The case file

A friend’s death and a missing package lead the gang through the shadowy antiques trade.

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Series position · Book 4

Can I start here?

No. Its emotional force depends heavily on relationships built across the first three books.

Who will enjoy it

For readers already fond of the cast

The Last Devil to Die suits readers who enjoy warm ensemble mysteries, dry humour and character-led investigations.

Tone & themes

Warm, wry and quietly moving

Friendship, ageing and community sit alongside the puzzle. Expect emotional weight without losing the comic touch.

Listening note

Fiona Shaw

The English recording listed below is unabridged.

Our opinion · 30-second verdict

A moving instalment for established readers; do not make this your first visit to Coopers Chase.

The murder of an antiques dealer and a missing package pull the club into forgery, fraud and drug trafficking.

Spoiler-free companion

Inside this case

The most emotionally intense club case, balanced by familiar humour.

Key locations: Coopers Chase · The antiques trade · Kent and London
Characters in the story: The club · Bogdan · Donna and Chris
Themes: Grief · Memory · Loyalty · Friendship

Meet the characters →

Our opinion · reader profile

What kind of case is it?

Pace3 out of 53/5

Puzzle4 out of 54/5

Humour3 out of 53/5

Emotional weight5 out of 55/5

Content notes

Murder, drugs and criminal violence
Grief, terminal illness and bereavement
Dementia and end-of-life decisions

Formats & languages

How else can I read or listen?

Penguin lists print, ebook and audio editions. For The Last Devil to Die, the details below cover 4 audio recordings, including Deutsch, Español (Castellano), Italiano. Exact formats, covers and availability vary by country.

While you read

Three things to notice

The ways different characters protect one another
How objects carry memory as well as monetary value
The balance between comedy and anticipatory grief

Reading-group file

Three spoiler-free questions

How does the novel define a good death?
Which act of care matters most?
Does the mystery support the emotional story or compete with it?

Quick answers

Frequently asked

Does this book solve its central mystery?

Yes. The Last Devil to Die has its own central case, while the character stories continue across the series.

Should I read the series in order?

No. Its emotional force depends heavily on relationships built across the first three books.

Are translated audiobooks available?

This guide includes Deutsch, Español (Castellano), Italiano recordings. Check the audiobook section below for marketplace details.

Edition details

Series: The Thursday Murder Club
Series position: 4
First published: 14 September 2023
UK edition: 432 pages · ISBN 9780241992401

UK edition history

Formats on the publisher record

Edition described above

Format: Paperback
Published: 9 May 2024
Imprint: Penguin
Dimensions: 198 × 28 × 129 mm
Weight: 292 g

2023
HardbackFirst UK publication
First publication
2023
Ebook
2023
Audio download and CD
2024
Paperback

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Reception

Awards, milestones and critical pattern

Celebrate the books’ awards and bestseller milestones, and discover what readers and critics enjoy about them.

Review consensus

The series at its most emotional

Penguin’s 2023 reader roundup emphasised the novel’s tenderness and the feeling of returning to familiar friends, while still noting its wit and mystery momentum.