Chapter summaries The Last Devil To Die Richard Osman

The Last Devil To Die – Chapter 45 Summary & Analysis

⚠️ 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

Bogdan and Stephen walk through fresh snow after dark, looking for Snowy the fox. Stephen, layered in warm clothes from Bogdan's cupboard, holds Bogdan's hand for stability on slippery paths. Bogdan uses a torch to scan the area. Stephen notices a small mound near a flowerbed about forty yards from his flat. He approaches, kneels, and places a hand on the mound. Bogdan's torch reveals Snowy’s body, silent and lifeless, ears sunk into the snow. Stephen guesses the fox’s heart gave out and comments that he looks peaceful. Bogdan kneels beside Stephen, who brushes snow from the fur. Stephen speculates Snowy was on his way to say goodbye but didn’t make it. Bogdan remarks that people don’t always get to say goodbye. Stephen apologises to Snowy. Bogdan asks if Stephen is sad; Stephen mentions he and Snowy shared a sense of being near the end of life. He then reveals he is not well and asks Bogdan if Elizabeth will be sad—forgetting who Elizabeth is until reminded that she is his wife. Stephen suggests a funeral with full military honours. He asks Bogdan if he is good at digging, noting the hard winter soil. They decide to keep Snowy where he is until morning and turn the body to face Stephen’s window. Stephen pats Snowy’s head, says he is safe now, and thanks him. Bogdan squeezes Stephen’s shoulder.

Key Events

  • Stephen and Bogdan search for Snowy in the snow.
  • Stephen finds Snowy dead in a mound near his flat.
  • Stephen guesses the fox died of a heart attack and appears peaceful.
  • Stephen connects his own failing health with Snowy’s mortality.
  • Stephen temporarily forgets Elizabeth when Bogdan mentions her.
  • They plan a burial and turn Snowy’s body to face Stephen’s window.
  • Bogdan comforts Stephen with a gentle shoulder squeeze.

Character Development

  • Stephen: Shows deep empathy for Snowy, seeing a kindred spirit in the fox. His dementia is starkly exposed when he asks who Elizabeth is, revealing memory lapses despite moments of clarity. He accepts his own decline with calm resignation.
  • Bogdan: Demonstrates patience and tenderness, holding Stephen’s hand and kneeling beside him. He quietly supports Stephen without correcting him harshly, showing a gentle side beneath his usual stoicism.
  • Snowy (the fox): Though dead, Snowy functions as a symbol of the bond between aging creatures. Stephen’s grief for Snowy mirrors his own anticipatory grief.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Mortality and the natural cycle: Snowy’s death in the snow underscores the quiet inevitability of death. Stephen’s acceptance mirrors the fox’s peaceful end.
  • Dementia and memory loss: Stephen forgetting Elizabeth is a painful demonstration of his condition. The chapter shows how dementia erases even the closest relationships.
  • Saying goodbye: Stephen and Bogdan reflect on the luck of being able to say goodbye. Stephen believes Snowy was trying to see him one last time.
  • Companionship in facing death: Stephen and Snowy shared a silent understanding of approaching death. Bogdan’s presence provides comfort.

Why This Chapter Matters

This brief, quiet chapter reveals the emotional core of Stephen’s character and his struggle with dementia. It foreshadows further decline and highlights Bogdan’s role as a caregiver. The death of Snowy serves as a poignant metaphor for the fragility of life and the grace of a gentle end. It deepens the reader’s understanding of Stephen’s inner world and the bonds that sustain him.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Stephen forget who Elizabeth is, and what does this reveal about his condition?
    Stephen’s question “Do you know her? Is she the type to get sad?” shows a temporary memory gap common in dementia. It reveals that his disease is progressing, and even his wife’s identity can slip away, though he still feels a connection to her.

  2. What does Snowy symbolise for Stephen?
    Snowy represents a fellow creature nearing the end of life. Stephen says they knew they “weren't long for this world,” which drew them together. Snowy’s peaceful death offers a model of acceptance that Stephen seems to be seeking.

  3. How does Bogdan support Stephen in this chapter?
    Bogdan physically steadies Stephen on the ice, kneels beside him in the snow, listens without judgment, and offers a supportive touch. He does not correct Stephen’s forgetfulness but gently reminds him who Elizabeth is, showing both patience and kindness.

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