Chapter 31 (Chapter 32) Summary - The Last Devil To Die
⚠️ 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 bakes a Battenberg cake using stoneground flour but admits Garth’s version is still superior, hinting he may be keeping a secret technique. During a trip to Petworth with Ibrahim, they visit Samantha Barnes and Garth. Both Joyce and Ibrahim sense the couple is lying about something, though the exact nature of the deception remains unclear. After the visit, they shop: Joyce buys a horseshoe (thinking her late husband Gerry would approve), and Ibrahim purchases an old “Earls Court Road” street sign, claiming it sounds regal—Joyce suspects he has a hidden reason. Back home, Joyce tries to debrief Elizabeth but finds she hasn’t returned from an outing with Stephen and Bogdan. Joyce decides against baking scones for imprisoned Connie Johnson, agreeing with Ron that it would be unnecessary since Connie receives deliveries from Gail’s Bakery. Left without Elizabeth’s leadership, Joyce considers stepping up to take charge of the investigation herself, despite normally preferring to follow orders. The chapter ends with Joyce noting that Saturdays are typically uneventful, though she hopes nothing major happens before Elizabeth resurfaces.
Key Events
- Joyce bakes a Battenberg cake with stoneground flour and compares it unfavorably to Garth’s.
- Joyce and Ibrahim visit Samantha Barnes and Garth; both sense the couple is lying about something.
- The pair shop in Petworth: Joyce buys a horseshoe; Ibrahim buys a street sign labeled “Earls Court Road.”
- Joyce attempts to update Elizabeth on their findings but discovers she is not yet home from her trip with Stephen and Bogdan.
- Joyce decides not to bake scones for Connie Johnson, following Ron’s advice and learning Gail’s Bakery already supplies the prison.
- Joyce reflects on the possibility that Ron and Pauline’s relationship has ended.
- Joyce contemplates taking charge of the murder and heroin investigation due to Elizabeth’s absence.
- Joyce mentions the mysterious new neighbor Edwin Mayhem, whom she hopes will arrive on a motorbike.
Character Development
Joyce: Typically content to take orders, Joyce here begins to assert herself. She questions the lies of Samantha and Garth, makes independent decisions (e.g., not baking for Connie), and directly considers leading the investigation. This marks a shift toward greater agency.
Ibrahim: His purchase of the street sign is deliberately ambiguous; Joyce notes he “always has a reason.” This reinforces his methodical, secretive nature. His ability to sense deception alongside Joyce shows his sharp instincts.
Elizabeth: Though absent for the entire chapter, her looming presence drives the plot. Joyce’s concern over Elizabeth’s whereabouts and her desire to report back highlight Elizabeth’s role as the group’s anchor.
Ron: Referenced only through Joyce’s speculation about his relationship with Pauline and his advice about the scones. His off-page influence still shapes Joyce’s decisions.
Samantha Barnes and Garth: Their apparent dishonesty moves them from mere witnesses to potential suspects or accomplices, deepening the central mystery.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Deception: Joyce and Ibrahim both sense untruthfulness from Samantha and Garth, yet the exact lie remains hidden. This echoes the novel’s broader theme of hidden motives among seemingly helpful characters.
Taking Charge: Joyce’s internal debate about stepping into Elizabeth’s role explores leadership, responsibility, and self-doubt. The phrase “Joyce in charge” is presented as both a joke and a serious possibility.
Baking as Connection: Baking serves as a social and emotional tool—Battenberg for Elizabeth, the rejected idea of scones for Connie—linking care, memory (Gerry), and community.
The Mundane vs. The Mysterious: Joyce’s Saturday routine (sausage rolls, Bergerac) contrasts with the unsolved murder and missing heroin. The tension between normal life and criminal investigation runs throughout.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point for Joyce’s role in the investigation. With Elizabeth otherwise occupied, Joyce consciously considers taking command for the first time. It also deepens the mystery around Samantha and Garth, introduces Edwin Mayhem as a future plot element, and preserves the emotional weight of Elizabeth’s private struggles with Stephen’s care. The focus on Joyce’s perspective offers insight into the team dynamics and sets up a potential shift in leadership.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What reasons does Joyce give for believing Garth and Samantha Barnes are lying?
Joyce states that she and Ibrahim could both tell the couple was lying, but she does not specify the exact evidence. The impression is based on intuition and their demeanor, not concrete proof. The nature of the lie is left open.
2. Why does Joyce decide against baking scones for Connie Johnson?
Initially she wanted to, but Ron advised against it, and Ibrahim informed her that Connie already receives regular deliveries from Gail’s Bakery at the prison. Joyce concludes that her scones would be surplus and therefore unnecessary.
3. How does Joyce’s attitude toward taking charge change by the end of the chapter?
At the start, Joyce prefers taking orders and is hesitant. By the end, she recognizes that if Elizabeth remains absent, someone must lead, and she humorously imagines herself in that role. Though she still feels uncertain, she resolves to be “brave” and take charge if needed.