Full Book Review of The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

Check out my full book review for the fourth book in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, The Last Devil to Die. If you’ve read the rest of the series, read this review before this next book. 

Here’s a short synopsis of the book: 

“It’s rarely a quiet day for the Thursday Murder Club.

Shocking news reaches them—an old friend has been killed, and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing.

The gang’s search leads them into the antiques business, where the tricks of the trade are as old as the objects themselves. As they encounter drug dealers, art forgers, and online fraudsters—as well as heartache close to home—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim have no idea whom to trust.

With the body count rising, the clock ticking down, and trouble firmly on their tail, has their luck finally run out?

And who will be the last devil to die?”

Need a reminder of what happened in the last book? Check out my review and summary of The Bullet that Missed, the third book in the series. 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. 

Full Book Review Without Spoilers

The Last Devil to Die is another fun, cozy installment in Richard Osman’s beloved Thursday Murder Club series. As always, it was an enjoyable read filled with the warmth, wit, and charm fans have come to expect. The main strength of this book—like the rest of the Thursday Murder Club books—lies in its wonderfully quirky core characters. 

One of the highlights of this installment was the reappearance of some of the recurring secondary characters. Their familiar faces added a sense of continuity and comfort, deepening the world Osman has built over the series.

That said, while I appreciated the character-driven moments, this book wasn’t my favorite in the series. The murder mystery itself didn’t quite hold up to the standard set by the previous entries. For the first time, I figured out a major part of the puzzle fairly early on, which took away some of the suspense and surprise I’ve come to love in these stories.

Still, The Last Devil to Die is worth the read for fans of the series—especially for those who enjoy spending time with this delightful cast of retirees solving murders in their own unconventional way. It may not be the strongest mystery, but it’s still filled with heart, humor, and the kind of warmth that makes this series so special.

Characters

Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim continue to delight with their unique personalities, clever banter, and unexpected insight. They feel like old friends at this point, and their interactions make every page a pleasure. As with the previous books, these characters are really what make the book so good.

Plot

As much as I appreciated the emotional beats and the strong character work, I felt the fair-play mystery plot itself wasn’t quite as compelling as in earlier books. For the first time in the series, I figured out a big piece of the puzzle early on, which made the resolution less impactful. Still, this plot was compelling and proves once again that Osman knows how to balance humor, heart, and a bit of murder.

Writing

This fourth entry is another example of Osman’s great writing style that’s perfect for cozy murder mystery. The short chapters, entertaining characters, and tiny details that keep showing up make it hard to put the book down. 

Full Book Review With Spoilers

You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. 

Richard Osman’s The Last Devil to Die is another lovely book in the Thursday Murder Club series—a cozy, character-driven mystery with heart, humor, and just enough danger to keep things interesting. While it wasn’t my favorite of the series, I still enjoyed spending time with the main characters and club members we’ve all come to love.

Set once again in and around Coopers Chase Retirement Village, the story reunites readers with the core members of the Thursday Murder Club. Their wit, quirks, and deep friendship remain Osman’s greatest strength, and it’s always a joy to read about their adventures. The recurring secondary characters, like the Viking (so glad he’s back!), add even more fun to this familiar world, and some new characters bring fresh energy into the mix.

One of the most powerful—and heartbreaking—parts of this book is the subplot involving Stephen’s advancing dementia. Without giving too much away, the way his condition ties into the mystery was both brilliant and emotionally devastating. It added surprising depth to the storyline and made the stakes feel more personal and real.

While it may not be the best Murder Club book, The Last Devil to Die is a worthy addition to the series, especially for readers who love spending so much time with these clever, endearing retirees.

Pros of the Book

One of the biggest strengths of The Last Devil to Die, the fourth installment in Richard Osman’s books, is how well the characters are written. Each member of the Thursday Murder Club continues to grow in depth and charm, and it’s such a pleasure to learn even more about them in this story. Their personalities shine through with characters’ lively humor, making the book feel like catching up with good friends. 

The second major pro is the overall tone—Osman strikes the perfect balance between a good story and a warm, cozy feeling that celebrates old people solving mysteries with wit and heart. It might not be the best book in the series for its mystery, but it’s still filled with Osman’s plots that make you smile and leave you eager for what’s to come next time. 

Cons of the Book

The only real con for me in The Last Devil to Die was that the murder mystery wasn’t as strong or surprising as in the previous books. I figured out a major twist fairly early on, which took away some of the suspense. That said, it was still a solid mystery—just not quite at the same level as the others in the series.

Conclusion

For all these reasons—the lovable characters, the heartfelt moments, the cozy humor, and the warm, familiar setting—I highly recommend The Last Devil to Die. Even if the mystery wasn’t the strongest of the series, the overall experience is still incredibly enjoyable. It’s a wonderful read that fans of the series and cozy mysteries alike won’t want to miss.

You can find the book here. 

I have a full summary of the book here if you need a refresher on any of the main points. 

Rating-4.25 Out of 5 Stars

Overall, The Last Devil to Die is a solid 4.25 out of 5 stars. Anyone who enjoys the Thursday Murder Club series, loves a cozy murder mystery, or is looking for a funny, feel-good read with heart will definitely want to pick this one up. It’s another delightful chapter in a series that continues to charm and entertain.

Who Would Enjoy Reading?

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with heart, humor, and a strong cast of recurring characters. Fans of character-driven stories, especially those who appreciate witty dialogue and clever older protagonists, will find a lot to love here. If you like books that balance a good mystery with emotional depth and a feel-good tone, The Last Devil to Die will definitely be your kind of read.

What to Read After The Last Devil to Die

Looking for your next read if you enjoyed this one? Check out all my recommendations here.

The Fifth Book in the Series by Richard Osman

The new book of the series comes out September 30, 2025. So mark your calendars and I’ll try to keep you updated! You can preorder it already here.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

If you really enjoyed Osman’s writing style, try his other book. I didn’t think it was quite as good as this series, but it’s still worth the read! You can get it here.

An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly

Looking for a new series that has the same feel as The Thursday Murder Club? Try this one! You can get it here.