Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 36
Overview
Elizabeth, Joyce, and Ron travel with Bogdan to Martin Lomax’s open garden in Hambledon to initiate contact. The trip highlights group dynamics while centering Bogdan’s calm, calculated approach through a childhood memory of a dangerous jump. They arrive and enter, leaving Bogdan to stand by and be ready, setting up the confrontation to come.
Summary
The chapter opens with Bogdan recalling a dare from childhood: jumping forty feet from a bridge into a treacherous river. He weighs the three ways he could die, acknowledges he is not reckless, and decides to jump anyway for the experience. He survives with broken ribs, concluding it was the right choice and shaping his view of risk and death.
In the present, Bogdan drives Elizabeth, Joyce, and Ron to visit Martin Lomax. The car ride shows their rapport: they play Twenty Questions, debate radio stations, and share sweets at Bogdan’s timed intervals. Ron speculates the mafia killed Douglas and Poppy; Joyce suspects a doctor’s involvement; Elizabeth withholds her view until speaking to Lomax.
Bogdan maintains a steady speed out of respect for his passengers despite Elizabeth urging speed and Ron urging caution. They reach Hambledon around one thirty, noting its cricket history, village sights, and signs for Lomax’s open garden.
They park by towering hedges and plan the visit. Elizabeth tells Bogdan to raise an alarm if they are not back in two hours. After brief jokes about toilets, Elizabeth, Joyce, and Ron head inside while Bogdan waits in the car park, content with the quiet and ready to assist if needed.
The chapter closes with Bogdan returning to his childhood leap, reaffirming his measured bravery and his puzzlement at people fearing death while loving sleep—framing his composed readiness for the risky meeting ahead.
Who Appears
- BogdanDriver and quiet protector; reflects on a deadly childhood jump, revealing measured courage and readiness to assist at Lomax’s garden.
- ElizabethLeads the visit to Lomax; keeps her thoughts close and sets a two-hour safety window before entering the garden.
- RonProvides humor and caution on the drive; speculates mafia killed Douglas and Poppy; joins the visit.
- JoyceOffers an alternative theory involving a doctor; participates in car games and enters the garden with Elizabeth and Ron.