Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 75
Overview
Chris and Donna pause their official work and reconsider Matthew Mackie’s possible motive, still unable to explain his connection to the graveyard or Ian Ventham. Elizabeth then summons them to Coopers Chase, claiming the Thursday Murder Club has found something important.
Chris’s decision to accept, despite professional risks, reinforces the growing informal alliance between the police and the pensioners. The investigation is about to shift from police files back to the club’s discoveries.
Summary
Donna and Chris take a break from the station at a BP garage café while struggling through files from the Irish passport office. Donna tries to stop Chris from buying sugary snacks, showing her concern for him while they continue discussing the investigation.
Donna questions Matthew Mackie’s motive and asks why he would protect the graveyard if he is not actually a priest. Chris suggests Mackie may be using the graveyard connection to get at Ian Ventham, or that there may be another link between Mackie and Ventham, possibly through Mackie’s patient lists.
Donna receives a message from Elizabeth inviting Donna and Chris to Coopers Chase that evening. Elizabeth says the Thursday Murder Club has found something important and asks them not to read another file until they have seen it, adding that there will be sherry.
Chris weighs the risks and benefits of continuing to cooperate informally with the Thursday Murder Club. Although he knows he is probably being manipulated and that it could look bad professionally, Chris admits he likes them and values what they provide. He agrees, reluctantly, to go.
Who Appears
- DonnaDetective constable; questions Mackie’s motive and receives Elizabeth’s invitation.
- ChrisPolice inspector; weighs the risks of cooperating with the Thursday Murder Club.
- ElizabethMurder club member; messages Donna with news of an important discovery.
- Matthew MackieRetired doctor under suspicion; his motive and connection to the graveyard remain unclear.
- Ian VenthamMurder victim whose possible link to Mackie is reconsidered by Chris and Donna.