Chapter summaries The Last Devil To Die Richard Osman

The Last Devil to Die – Chapter 76: The Heroin Con

⚠️ 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

Jeremmy, a criminal who stole five thousand pounds from Mervyn, visits the Thursday Murder Club expecting to collect his money. Ibrahim, Joyce, Elizabeth, and Ron instead propose a deal: they have dug up a bag of heroin near the allotment and want him to sell it and split the profits. Jeremmy is initially hesitant but greed takes hold after he tests the substance. Joyce claims the heroin is worth twenty-five thousand pounds, but it is actually a much larger stash (worth over a hundred thousand). Jeremmy agrees to pay them five thousand now for the chance to sell the rest. He transfers the money via bank app, not realising the account belongs to Mervyn. Once the transfer is confirmed, Ron sends Jeremmy off with the heroin. Joyce then calls Donna, who is waiting outside, to confirm the trap has worked.

Key Events

  • Jeremmy arrives expecting to be given the five thousand pounds he stole.
  • The group offers Jeremmy a bag of heroin they found, proposing a split of proceeds.
  • Joyce reveals they researched heroin prices and value the bag at twenty-five thousand pounds.
  • Ibrahim notes Jeremmy’s twitch of greed, realising he underestimates the true street value.
  • Jeremmy tests the heroin and agrees to pay five thousand pounds for it.
  • Jeremmy transfers the money to the account number Bob provides.
  • Bob confirms the five thousand has gone straight back into Mervyn’s account.
  • Jeremmy leaves with the heroin, delighted with his “scam.”
  • Joyce informs Donna by phone that Jeremmy is on his way, and Donna is hiding outside ready to intercept.

Character Development

  • Ibrahim – Shows his sharp observational skills, reading Jeremmy’s greed from a physical twitch. He orchestrates the moral trap without hesitation.
  • Joyce – Displays cunning and strategic planning, having asked Donna’s permission to use the heroin. Her casual demeanor (offering Battenberg) masks her control of the operation.
  • Elizabeth – Remains calm and authoritative, directly presenting the heroin offer and maintaining the lie about its origin.
  • Ron – Plays the part of a harmless old man asking for a favour, but his blunt language (“old son”) reinforces the group’s cover.
  • Jeremmy – His greed overrides caution; he believes he is outsmarting pensioners but is in fact the dupe. His transfer of the money completes the club’s retrieval of Mervyn’s stolen funds.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Greed vs. Justice – The club weaponises Jeremmy’s greed to restore stolen money to Mervyn, turning his vice into the instrument of his own comeuppance.
  • Deception and Performance – Each member plays a role: the naïve pensioner (Joyce), the friendly criminal associate (Ron), the calm negotiator (Elizabeth), and the dispassionate facilitator (Ibrahim). Their coordinated act mirrors earlier cons in the series.
  • The Value of Things – The heroin’s street value is deliberately understated by Joyce to make the deal irresistible. Mervyn’s money, though smaller, is returned precisely because of its emotional (not market) value.
  • Technology as a Tool – The bank transfer and Bob’s laptop confirm the success of the con. The digital transaction leaves no physical evidence and is immediate.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter resolves the theft of Mervyn’s five thousand pounds, a minor plot thread that has run through several previous chapters. It also demonstrates the Thursday Murder Club’s unique ability to achieve justice outside the official legal system. The use of the heroin stash (which they have been holding since earlier in the story) shows that nothing in their possession goes to waste. The chapter sets up Jeremmy’s next predicament: he will be caught by Donna with the drugs, ensuring both the money and the heroin are removed from circulation. It reinforces the theme that the elderly characters outthink younger criminals through experience and teamwork.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Jeremmy accept the heroin deal even though he came only for his five thousand pounds?
    Answer: Greed. Ibrahim notices Jeremmy twitch when he hears the value of the heroin; the prospect of a ninety-five thousand pound profit overwhelms his caution. Jeremmy believes he is exploiting foolish pensioners and cannot resist.

  2. How do the Thursday Murder Club ensure Jeremmy cannot backtrack once the deal is done?
    Answer: They have him transfer the five thousand pounds via banking app before he leaves. Bob’s laptop confirms the funds have arrived in Mervyn’s account. Once the money is gone, Jeremmy has no leverage and leaves with the drugs.

  3. What role does Donna play in this plan?
    Answer: Donna gave Joyce permission to use the heroin for the scheme. She waits in hiding outside, ready to intercept Jeremmy after he leaves the flat, ensuring the drugs are reclaimed and Jeremmy is arrested or detained.

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