Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 32
Overview
Chris and Donna turn a staged fan photograph with Jason Ritchie into a low-pressure interrogation about Tony Curran, Bobby Tanner, and the Black Bridge. Jason maintains that he barely knew Tony and knows nothing useful, but his hesitations suggest he is concealing a past connection.
The chapter deepens Jason’s significance by placing his boxing fame, criminally ambiguous wilderness years, and relationship to Ron beside the murder investigation. Elizabeth and Joyce remain closely involved, with Elizabeth positioning herself as an ongoing source and participant in Chris and Donna’s inquiry.
Summary
Chris asks Jason Ritchie to pose outside for a photograph, and Donna takes the picture while reflecting on how thoroughly Elizabeth and the Thursday Murder Club have pulled Chris into their orbit. Earlier, Chris and Donna had questioned Ron, Jason, and Joyce about a row they witnessed; no one knew what it was about, but everyone had considered it significant.
Donna thinks through Jason’s public history: a celebrated boxer, the son of the outspoken Ron, whose fame endured through television, films, adverts, and reality shows after his boxing career declined. Donna is especially interested in Jason’s obscure post-boxing years, when he made money in less public ways and was photographed with Tony Curran and Bobby Tanner.
After the cheerful photo, Chris casually asks Jason about Tony Curran. Jason claims he only knew Tony slightly from Fairhaven and says Tony had plenty of enemies. Donna and Chris then press harder, asking about the Black Bridge pub and a photograph showing Jason with Tony, Bobby Tanner, and money on a table.
Jason denies any meaningful connection to Tony, says he has never seen the photograph, and claims not to know where Bobby Tanner is. His hesitation and evasive answers make Chris and Donna think Jason is lying, though they acknowledge there may be several reasons for that.
As Chris and Donna head to the car, they joke about Chris sounding unusually Cockney and about Jason’s request for a copy of the photo, which Donna recognizes as a ploy to get her number. Elizabeth and Joyce catch up with them; Joyce gives Chris lemon drizzle cake, and Elizabeth gives Chris her card, making clear she expects further conversations as the investigation continues.
Who Appears
- Donna De FreitasTakes Jason’s photo, recalls his background, and probes his evasions about Tony and Bobby.
- Chris HudsonUses a friendly photo opportunity to question Jason about Tony Curran and the Black Bridge.
- Jason RitchieFormer boxing star who denies close ties to Tony despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
- ElizabethKeeps contact with the detectives and offers help interpreting the financial file.
- JoyceGives Chris cake and lightly observes the detectives’ visit to Coopers Chase.
- Ron RitchieJason’s proud father, previously questioned about the significant row at Coopers Chase.