Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 96
Overview
Chris’s Cyprus lead confirms that Johnny Gunduz remains difficult to trace because of his powerful family and possible changed identity. Ron and Ibrahim’s unexpected presence shows Elizabeth is running a parallel investigation and still directing events from behind the scenes.
The chapter reinforces Johnny as a plausible hidden threat while shifting suspense toward Elizabeth and Joyce’s undisclosed activities back home.
Summary
At the Cyprus airport, Chris reflects that Johnny Gunduz has effectively vanished, likely protected by his powerful family. Chris plans to investigate whether Johnny recently flew back to England, though Johnny may now be using a different name or appearance.
While waiting with a muffin, Chris is surprised by Ron, then Ibrahim, who reveal that Elizabeth sent them to Cyprus as well. They explain that Elizabeth used her contacts to arrange their trip, and they have discovered much the same as Chris: Johnny’s family is powerful, and Johnny can disappear without leaving a trace.
Chris says Johnny’s father knows where Johnny is but would not reveal it, even to Elizabeth. Chris and the two men jokingly agree that Joyce might be the one person capable of getting the truth from him.
Chris questions why Elizabeth and Joyce are not in Cyprus themselves if Elizabeth has such contacts. Ron and Ibrahim avoid giving a clear answer, only saying Chris does not want to know, leaving Chris uneasy about what Elizabeth and Joyce are doing elsewhere.
Who Appears
- Chris HudsonInvestigates Johnny Gunduz in Cyprus and encounters Ron and Ibrahim at the airport.
- Ron RitchieArrives in Cyprus under Elizabeth’s instructions and compares findings with Chris.
- Ibrahim ArifAccompanies Ron to Cyprus and notes Johnny’s ability to vanish through family power.
- Elizabeth BestDirects Ron and Ibrahim’s Cyprus trip through contacts while pursuing undisclosed plans elsewhere.
- Johnny GunduzAbsent suspect whose powerful family may be hiding his identity and movements.
- Joyce MeadowcroftMentioned as possibly persuasive enough to get information from Johnny’s father.