Chapter summaries The Last Devil To Die Richard Osman

Chapter 38 Summary: Garth Investigates Joyce's Flat

⚠️ 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

Garth enters Joyce's empty flat while she is out, followed by Alan the dog. He observes the tidy home, notes Christmas decorations still up, a baking smell reminiscent of his own Battenberg, and almond milk in the fridge. He reflects on his grandmothers: one ran an art-theft ring in Toronto, the other read weather on TV in Manitoba. Garth reveals his own extensive criminal past, including art college, stealing a herd of bison, playing bass guitar, and committing Canada's largest bank robbery with his cousin Paul. He and his partner Samantha recently visited cocaine dealer Connie Johnson to propose a heroin business partnership, but Connie was noncommittal. Garth had previously tried to inspect Elizabeth's flat but was thwarted by her high-security alarm. When Ibrahim arrives and talks to Alan through the letter-box, Garth quietly makes tea and waits. After Ibrahim leaves, Garth plans to wash up and then wander Coopers Chase, sensing both opportunity and secrets. He also needs to decide how to handle Connie Johnson.

Key Events

  • Garth breaks into Joyce's flat unnoticed, accompanied by Alan.
  • He surveys the flat: Christmas decorations, almond milk, baking smell, many greeting cards.
  • He reminisces about his grandmothers' unusual careers and his own criminal résumé.
  • He recalls the meeting with Connie Johnson about a heroin venture.
  • He notes his failed attempt to enter Elizabeth's flat.
  • Ibrahim arrives to check on Alan; Garth hides and makes tea.
  • Garth decides to explore Coopers Chase afterward and reflect on Connie.

Character Development

  • Garth: This chapter provides significant backstory, revealing his family ties to crime, his versatility as a career criminal, and his cautious, methodical nature. His loneliness (wishing for more friends) adds depth, and his respect for Joyce's neatness suggests a moral complexity.
  • Joyce (off-screen): Her flat paints her as tidy, modern, sentimental, and socially active. Garth's admiration hints at a possible affinity despite the adversarial situation.
  • Ibrahim (heard): His gentle conversation with Alan through the letter-box reinforces his caring personality.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Caution over Impulse: Garth's mantra "no one ever died from doing too much research" drives his reconnaissance. He is careful not to disturb or leave traces.
  • Domesticity and Crime: Joyce's homely, comfortable flat contrasts sharply with the criminal's intrusion. The baking smell and dog create a false sense of normalcy.
  • Hidden Histories: Both Garth's grandmother's art-theft ring and his own bank robbery show that criminality can be inherited or hidden beneath ordinary lives.
  • Loneliness among Criminals: Garth's wish for more friends underscores the isolation that often accompanies a life of crime.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the mystery by shifting focus to Garth, transforming him from a peripheral villain into a more developed antagonist. His infiltration of Joyce's flat raises the stakes for the Thursday Murder Club, showing that they are being investigated. Garth's criminal expertise and cautious mindset make him a credible threat. The failed meeting with Connie Johnson hints at an impending drug-trade subplot, while Garth's plan to scout Coopers Chase signals that the club's secrets are at risk. The chapter also humanizes Garth, making his eventual confrontation with the club more nuanced.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Garth break into Joyce's flat, and what does he hope to find?
    Garth is being cautious: he wants to ensure Joyce is not secretly working against them. He has no specific target; he searches for any clue that might reveal hidden motives or danger. He believes thorough research prevents fatal mistakes.

  2. What does Garth's past reveal about his character?
    His long criminal history—art theft, bank robbery, corporate espionage—shows he is resourceful, experienced, and fearless. His grandmother's influence suggests crime is family tradition. His caution and respect for Joyce's home indicate he is not purely ruthless but operates with a code.

  3. How does the author use Joyce's off-screen presence to characterize her?
    Through her flat's details—baking smell, Christmas decorations, almond milk, many cards—the author implies Joyce is warm, sentimental, modern, and socially connected. Garth's positive impression makes her more sympathetic even when she is absent.

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