Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
Donna and Chris drive to Ian Ventham's house while Donna reconsiders the meaning of the photograph left by Tony Curran's body. Donna suspects the image may be deliberate misdirection, possibly planted or exploited by Ian, so she proposes confronting him with it directly.
The chapter moves the investigation toward Ian and strengthens Donna and Chris's partnership through a mix of deduction and easy banter.
Summary
Donna rides with Chris in a Ford Focus through the countryside, feeling out of place among the trees and missing the concrete familiarity of south London. While Chris drives, Donna thinks through the photograph left beside Tony Curran's body.
Donna reasons that Jason Ritchie, Bobby Tanner, or anyone connected to the photograph would be foolish to leave it at the murder scene, because doing so would unnecessarily narrow the police investigation. She considers that Tony Curran may have had a copy and that Ian Ventham could have seen or taken it for later use as deliberate misdirection.
Donna tells Chris that they should show the photograph to Ian Ventham and ask whether he has seen it before. Chris agrees that watching Ian deny knowledge of it could be useful, and the pair continue toward Ian's house.
As they drive, Donna and Chris exchange light banter about Chris's unironed shirts and his lack of a girlfriend, showing their growing working rapport. The chapter ends as they arrive at Ian Ventham's house, ready to confront him with the photograph.
Who Appears
- Donna De FreitasAnalyzes the photograph clue and suggests confronting Ian Ventham about it.
- Chris HudsonDrives Donna to Ian's house and supports her plan to question him.
- Ian VenthamSuspected possible manipulator of the photograph clue; destination of the police visit.
- Tony CurranMurder victim whose body was found with the suspicious photograph.