Chapter 88 Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Joyce opens by noting that a few days have passed since the excitement of recent events. She has completed her short story, retitled from Cannibal Bloodbath to Life Is but a Dream—A Gerry Meadowcroft Mystery, and submitted it to the Evening Argus. The newspaper sent an automated acknowledgment, but her polite reply did not get through, and she has heard nothing since. Undeterred, she has begun a new story sending Inspector Gerry Meadowcroft to Morocco, basing her descriptions on a Rick Stein documentary about Marrakesh since she has never visited.
Andrew Everton remains in Belmarsh, a high-security prison, held there partly for his own protection. He has been charged with fraud, while the investigation into the deaths of Bethany and Heather continues. Joyce reflects that the livestream video the group made would normally have prejudiced a trial, but the public reaction was so enormous that the authorities seem to have accepted justice needed to be seen to be done. Everton continues to protest his innocence, but Joyce believes he will be imprisoned for a long time regardless.
The irony of his situation is that his books have become massive bestsellers, topping the Kindle charts, with a publisher rushing out physical copies and Netflix acquiring the TV rights. However, Everton sees none of the money; the court is holding all proceeds until he repays the ten million he stole.
Joyce doubts he will ever be charged with the murders, as no body has been found despite an exhaustive search of the garden and woodland behind Heather's house. What the dig did uncover was a cache of guns, cash, fake passports, and stolen goods. It appears that every time Jack Mason dug a hole over the years searching for the body, he hid something in it before refilling it. The assault rifle they first found had never been fired, and the hundred thousand pounds came from a Post Office robbery in Tunbridge Wells.
Joyce mentions a shopping trip to Tunbridge Wells with Carlito and the others in the minibus. She had read that the town had a Waitrose, but it did not; instead she found a large Waterstones and bought Stephen King's On Writing and a new Marian Keyes novel.
The biggest news concerns Mike Waghorn. His tribute to Bethany was watched by enormous numbers of people, and his phone has not stopped ringing. He has signed for an ITV series called Britain's Most Notorious Serial Killers, co-hosted The One Show for a week, and been invited back. Next week Joyce plans to go to Elstree to watch him on Stop the Clock—Celebrities!, with Pauline accompanying her since Elizabeth has another engagement.
Fiona Clemence is taking everyone out to dinner afterward, fitting given she now has eight million Instagram followers and is about to film an American version of Stop the Clock.
Pauline and Ron have returned from a long weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon. When Joyce asked Ron what Shakespeare they had seen, he looked blank, suggesting they spent the weekend in the pub. Ibrahim seems lost without Ron; Joyce notes he is happy for his friend but thinks she should keep an eye on him. They often walk Alan together, and Ibrahim chats happily enough, but Joyce remains concerned.
Joyce continues to bump into Mervyn and Rosie while walking her dog. She finds Mervyn so handsome that she jokes about her tail wagging. He says little, which Joyce finds a relief compared to men who require constant nodding. She brings him casseroles, always enough for two, hoping he will take the hint, but he only thanks her and says it will last him two days—though his deep, commanding voice makes it worthwhile. He has shown little real interest, but recently he brought her a copy of The Times with an article about Margaret Atwood's writing process, the longest sentence he has ever said to her. She has read it so they will have something to discuss.
Christmas approaches, and Joyce hopes Joanna and Scott might visit. She has not asked what everyone is doing, wondering whether Ron will be with Pauline, and whether they might come to her place, with Ibrahim unquestionably included. She plans to ask Viktor about his Christmas plans tomorrow, as everyone has been invited to lunch at his house. This time she will bring her swimming costume regardless of the cold.
Her cryptocurrency account, once worth over sixty-five thousand pounds, is now valued at eight hundred. She emailed Henrik, who replied with the cryptic message that she must believe—though Joyce is unsure what she is meant to believe in. Still, she reflects that cryptocurrency is more fun than Premium Bonds.
The chapter closes with Joyce noting how much has happened this year, and Alan bounding into the room, ready for bed—and, as always, quite right.
Key Events
-
Joyce retitles and submits her short story; receives only an automated acknowledgment
-
She begins a new Morocco-set story inspired by a Rick Stein documentary
-
Everton's fraud charge and ongoing murder investigation are summarized
-
The search uncovers hidden guns, cash, and fake passports but no body
-
Everton's books become bestsellers with Netflix rights, proceeds held for restitution
-
Mike Waghorn's viral tribute leads to an ITV series and One Show appearances
-
Fiona Clemence's Instagram following reaches eight million
-
Pauline and Ron return from Stratford-upon-Avon; Ibrahim seems subdued
-
Mervyn shares a Margaret Atwood article with Joyce
-
Christmas plans are discussed, including a lunch invitation from Viktor
-
Joyce's crypto investment collapses from £65,000 to £800
Character Development
-
Joyce: Shows persistence in her writing despite the rejection, and deep observation of those around her—noting Ibrahim's loneliness, Mervyn's small gestures, and the irony of Everton's fame. Her humor and warmth remain intact even as she faces financial loss.
-
Ibrahim: Appears subdued and lost without Ron's company, suggesting his emotional dependence on his friend.
-
Mervyn: Makes his first real gesture of interest by sharing the Atwood article, a significant step for a man of few words.
-
Andrew Everton: His situation crystallizes the irony of crime and fame—imprisoned yet commercially successful, his books selling precisely because of his notoriety.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
-
Irony of publicity: Everton's books become bestsellers because of his crimes, and the livestream that would normally prejudice a trial instead forces justice to be seen to be done.
-
Justice and public perception: The court holds Everton's earnings for restitution, while public reaction shapes how the legal process unfolds.
-
Buried secrets: Jack Mason's habit of hiding stolen goods in every hole he dug symbolizes how buried truths resurface in unexpected ways.
-
Media fame and career opportunities: Waghorn and Fiona both leverage viral moments into major career advances.
-
Loneliness and companionship: Ibrahim's subdued state and Joyce's concern highlight the importance of friendship in the group.
-
Romantic courtship: Joyce's casseroles and Mervyn's article exchange represent a slow, understated courtship.
-
Cryptocurrency volatility: The collapse of Joyce's investment underscores the instability of speculative wealth.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter serves as a settling of accounts after the novel's climax, showing the aftermath of Everton's arrest and the investigation. It ties off several threads—the missing body, the hidden evidence, the fate of the stolen money—while opening new ones around Christmas plans and Joyce's relationship with Mervyn. It also deepens Joyce's role as the group's emotional center, as she notices Ibrahim's loneliness and plans to include everyone in the holidays. The chapter reinforces the novel's themes of justice, irony, and the value of ordinary companionship over fame and fortune.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does the irony of Everton's book sales complicate the idea of justice in this chapter?
Everton is imprisoned and charged with fraud, yet his books become bestsellers and Netflix acquires the TV rights—all because of the publicity surrounding his crimes. The court holds the proceeds to repay the stolen ten million, so the money serves restitution rather than personal gain. This suggests that justice can operate in unexpected ways, and that public fascination with crime can inadvertently serve the cause of repayment.
2. What does Joyce's observation of Ibrahim reveal about her role in the group?
Joyce notices that Ibrahim looks lost without Ron and decides to keep an eye on him, walking Alan together and listening to him natter. This shows her as the group's emotional caretaker, attentive to the quiet needs of her friends. Her concern also highlights the theme of companionship—that the group's strength lies in looking after one another.
3. How does the Mervyn subplot develop through small gestures?
Joyce brings casseroles always enough for two as a hint, and Mervyn responds with a rare long sentence—sharing a Margaret Atwood article he thinks she might find interesting. This exchange of small, meaningful gestures represents a slow courtship built on mutual attention rather than grand declarations, consistent with both characters' understated personalities.
Navigation
-
Book Hub