A review by unawake0442
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

emotional funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Dammit, Richard. This is the one. I recently discovered the wonderful Thursday Murder Club series, much to my delight. I've heard it described as "cozy mystery," which feels quite apt. The characters are so lovable and incredibly developed. Richard Osman has clearly put so much care into crafting not only Elizabeth, Ibrahim, Joyce, and Ron but also all of the side characters like Stephen, Bogdan, Donna, and Patrice. All of that has come to fruition in The Last Devil to Die and it so miraculous to watch it play out. This is especially true when it comes to
Stephen's arc, which has been slowly built throughout all four books. Osman has more than earned the emotional payoff. I do not doubt we will continue to see this affect Elizabeth, giving Osman further opportunity to show off his ability to delicately craft beautifully delicate emotional throughlines
.

The Last Devil to Die really shows where this series can go. Similar to The Bullet that Missed, the vulnerability of these characters shines. It's one thing to write a good mystery. It's another to write a good mystery backed by even stronger returning characters that make readers eager to keep coming back for more. Osman said he is taking a short break from the series to write another book, and while I'm sad I'll have to wait longer for the next installment, I'm excited for where this time away will take him when he returns to Coopers Chase.
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