Chapter summaries The Last Devil To Die Richard Osman

Chapter 70: Ibrahim Confides in Connie – 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

Ibrahim keeps his second appointment with Connie in prison. After their usual hour discussing pain and avoidance, Ibrahim reveals the bombshell: the Thursday Murder Club dug up the heroin from Kuldesh Sharma’s grave. Connie quizzes him on the weight (1.2 kg), purity (very white, probably uncut), and street value (potentially £400,000 cut). She advises that the simplest path is to hand it to the police, but she knows the group rarely chooses simplicity. Ibrahim explains they don’t trust SIO Regan and hope to use the heroin to trace Kuldesh’s killer. Connie notes that 1.2 kg is too small a quantity for the violence seen—Mitch Maxwell and Luca Buttaci wouldn’t kill for that amount. She suggests the conflict is about something bigger, possibly involving an Afghan figure. When pressed, Connie says either Mitch or Luca likely killed Kuldesh, and the last one to die will be the culprit. As Ibrahim leaves, Connie touches his arm—an unprecedented gesture of trust or concern. Outside, Ibrahim spots a middle-aged woman entering the prison.

Key Events

  • Ibrahim finishes his therapeutic hour with Connie discussing pain, then discloses the Club’s possession of the heroin.
  • Connie estimates the heroin’s full street value at around £400,000, much higher than Ibrahim’s initial figure.
  • Connie warns that 1.2 kg is not worth the number of deaths that have occurred; she believes the violence is tied to a larger operation or a more powerful player.
  • She explicitly states that either Mitch Maxwell or Luca Buttaci likely shot Kuldesh, adding that “the last one to die” will probably be the killer.
  • In a rare moment of physical contact, Connie touches Ibrahim’s arm as he leaves—a gesture that suggests intimacy, trust, or concern.
  • Ibrahim notices an unidentified middle-aged woman entering the prison as he drives away.

Character Development

Ibrahim
Ibrahim shows professional caution by keeping his prison visit professional first, then springing the heroin reveal. His willingness to trust Connie with such sensitive information indicates a growing bond and a calculated risk. He remains analytical, asking Connie for her “professional” opinion and weighing her advice against the Club’s instincts.

Connie
Connie reveals layers beyond her drug-dealer persona. She shows genuine concern for Ibrahim’s safety, offering practical advice (“take it to the cops”) and a deeper analysis of the drug trade. Her touch on Ibrahim’s arm—something she has never done before—signals a new emotional dimension in their relationship, possibly born of respect or a sense of foreboding.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Trust and Secrets
The entire chapter revolves around information that could be weaponised: Ibrahim trusts Connie with the heroin’s location, and Connie trusts Ibrahim with her theory about the killer. The touch on the arm becomes a physical symbol of this mutual trust.

The Unreliability of Quantity
Connie’s observation that 1.2 kg is trivial in the drug world reframes the conflict. The heroin itself is a MacGuffin; the real stakes lie elsewhere. This undercuts the assumption that greed alone motivates the murders.

The “Last One to Die” Motif
Connie’s cryptic remark introduces a chilling timeline: the killer will be the last survivor among the dealers. This echoes the book’s title and suggests a self-destructive competition at work.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 70 is the first time an outsider with genuine underworld knowledge analyses the case. Connie’s insights—that the heroin amount is too small, that an Afghan connection looms, and that the killer will be the last dealer standing—reshape the mystery. It also deepens the relationship between Ibrahim and Connie, transforming her from a source of information into a potential ally. The final image of the woman entering the prison foreshadows another plot thread or a new character about to intersect with the Club.

Study Questions and Answers

Q1: Why does Connie believe the heroin is not the real reason for the murders?
A1: Connie calculates that 1.2 kg of heroin has a street value of roughly £400,000, but she asserts that experienced dealers like Mitch and Luca would not kill multiple people over such a relatively small quantity. She argues that the violence points to a larger operation or a more powerful figure, possibly an Afghan supplier.

Q2: What does Connie mean by “the last one to die probably did it”?
A2: Connie predicts that among the drug dealers involved (Mitch and Luca), the one who survives longest is likely the killer. This implies that the murderer is methodically eliminating rivals and will be the final person standing in the power struggle.

Q3: How does Ibrahim’s decision to tell Connie about the heroin reflect his character?
A3: Ibrahim chooses to share a dangerous secret with Connie despite the risk. This shows his willingness to build a genuine alliance, his respect for Connie’s expertise, and his prioritisation of solving Kuldesh’s murder over personal safety. The act also demonstrates his strategic thinking—he probes Connie’s reaction for clues and advice.

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