Chapter 9 Summary and Analysis – 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
The chapter opens on the morning of New Year’s Day with DC Chris Hudson and DS Donna De Freitas arriving at a murder scene in a secluded Kent woodland. The body belongs to Kuldesh Sharma, a Brighton antiques dealer, whose red Nissan Almera was discovered by a dog walker. The body has been there for five days since late December 27th. Chris notes a single gunshot through the driver’s window and two sets of tyre tracks—one car reversed away, the other remained. The scene suggests a professional killing, possibly drug-related, but the victim’s modest car raises doubts. Donna reveals she met Kuldesh Sharma while investigating a previous case called “the Viking,” which involved Stephen, Elizabeth’s husband. Chris hopes to keep Elizabeth and her friends uninvolved but reflects on his own Christmas, where he almost proposed to Patrice. The chapter also reveals an awkward past between Chris and forensic officer Amy Peach, stemming from a drunken night years ago. Donna presses Chris for details about that relationship.
Key Events
- Chris and Donna arrive at a murder scene in a quiet Kent woodland on New Year’s Day.
- The victim is identified as Kuldesh Sharma, an antiques dealer from Brighton.
- The body has been dead since December 27th, shot through the car window.
- Two cars were present; one reversed out, indicating a meeting gone wrong.
- Chris considers the crime professional, but the victim’s car is not typical of high-level drug dealers.
- Donna reveals she met Kuldesh Sharma during the investigation of the Viking case, alongside Elizabeth’s husband Stephen.
- Chris reflects on Christmas with Patrice, including his near-proposal and his diet.
- The awkward history between Chris and Amy Peach is hinted at, with Donna suspecting something more.
- Donna reminds Chris that he bought her mother gardening gloves for Christmas—a poor gift choice.
Character Development
- Chris: Shows vulnerability in his relationship with Patrice (hesitation to propose) and lingering discomfort from his past with Amy Peach. He is competent but self-deprecating.
- Donna: Sharp and observant, she connects the murder to a previous investigation and intuitively probes Chris about his personal life.
- Kuldesh Sharma: Described briefly as a “nice guy” by Donna, suggesting he had crossed paths with the Thursday Murder Club.
- Amy Peach: Introduced as a forensic officer with an unspoken awkward history with Chris; professional but taciturn.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Violence beneath tranquility: The beautiful, quiet woodland setting contrasts with the extreme violence of the murder, echoing the series’ theme of hidden dangers in peaceful places.
- Professional vs. personal: Chris’s internal conflict over proposing and his history with Amy Peach highlight how personal life intrudes on police work.
- Connections to the past: Donna’s link between this murder and the Viking investigation shows how past cases re-emerge, a recurring motif in the series.
- Mundane details as character clues: The lack of Quality Street and the gardening gloves are used to reveal relationship dynamics and Chris’s emotional state.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter introduces a murder that directly ties into the Thursday Murder Club’s previous investigation (the Viking case) and sets up a mystery that will likely draw in Elizabeth and her friends. It also deepens Chris’s character arc, showing his personal struggles alongside his professional duty. The awkward encounter with Amy Peach adds a layer of dark comedy and humanizes the police team. The chapter re-establishes the blend of crime and character-driven storytelling central to Richard Osman’s novels.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Chris initially suspect the murder might be drug-related? Chris sees a single clean gunshot, a secluded location, and tyre marks suggesting a meeting. These hallmarks—professional hit, stolen car likely discarded—point to a drug-deal dispute. However, the victim’s modest red Nissan Almera makes him reconsider, since major dealers typically drive luxury vehicles.
2. What does Donna reveal about her prior connection to Kuldesh Sharma? Donna says she met him while investigating the Viking case, together with Stephen, who is Elizabeth’s husband. This links the victim directly to the Thursday Murder Club’s world.
3. How does Chris’s personal life affect his mood at the crime scene? Chris recalls Christmas with Patrice, where he almost proposed but lost courage. He also tenses up around Amy Peach due to an embarrassing shared history. These personal intrusions contrast with the professional detachment required at a murder scene, highlighting Chris’s human side.