A review by skconaghan
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love these people. And the hard part is, they are going to leave me eventually. I don’t want that to happen, but it’s the inevitable, innit?

I think Osman is doing my generation a great service in these stories. We are watching our parents grow into old age with a rare fever to live more and live fully—to squeeze every drop of life granted while they still can. Just like this lot. And with good humour amid the aching hips and knees and failing memories. And we want them around for another few decades please…

There is a deep sadness in the Stephen chapter (Stephen’s perspective). It’s so graciously and respectfully written. I bawled. For anyone experiencing the horrors and emptiness of dementia with a family member, you know what you don’t know, but you see it, and can only imagine. Osman gives us heartbreaking insight, and we see the varied perspectives in human approach to coping personally, and how to keep on in love despite this devastating illness. Overwhelmingly sad, and yet still manages to be hopeful.

Yes, there are murders happening also amid the more serious aspects of ageing and relationships, and the investigative liberties our late-in-life pensioners take guarantee all the giggles we’ve come to expect. 

I can’t wait for the next caper these geriatric geniuses jostle their way into…and I can only hope there are many more ahead. Please. We’ve still got loads of life…