Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 48
Overview
Elizabeth leaves the public protest behind and intercepts Bogdan on his way to the Garden of Eternal Rest, testing whether he could have been involved in Tony Curran’s murder. Bogdan admits he had the access and Ian’s trust but denies killing Tony, pushing Elizabeth toward a more precise question about alarm systems and how Ian might have gained entry.
The chapter shifts suspicion rather than resolving it: Elizabeth learns useful facts, manipulates Bogdan by introducing herself as “Marina,” and returns to the barricade just as police and Ian converge. Her private investigation now links the cemetery digging, Tony’s alarm, and Ian’s possible access.
Summary
Elizabeth is absent from the barricade because, after taking Stephen home, Elizabeth walks through Blunts Wood to the Garden of Eternal Rest. Sitting on Bernard Cottle’s bench above Coopers Chase, Elizabeth listens to the protest below and follows her instinct that the real action may be away from the visible commotion.
Bogdan emerges from the trees carrying a shovel, on his way to dig in the cemetery. Elizabeth stops Bogdan and questions whether Ian Ventham asked Bogdan to murder Tony Curran after Ian’s row with Tony. Bogdan calmly denies being told, asked, or involved, though Bogdan acknowledges that Tony’s death has helped him by bringing new work.
Elizabeth presses further because the official-looking timing troubles her: Elizabeth doubts that Ian could have entered Tony’s house and killed Tony so quickly after arriving. Bogdan confirms that Bogdan fitted Tony’s alarm system and therefore could have entered easily, but Bogdan insists that he does not kill people, even for Ian. Bogdan says that if Ian had asked, Bogdan would have told Ian to do it himself.
Elizabeth then changes tack and asks about Bogdan’s background. Bogdan says he is from near Krakow, and Elizabeth invents the name Marina while shaking his hand, deliberately using the name of Bogdan’s mother after noticing it among his tattoos. Bogdan continues warmly to the Garden of Eternal Rest, and Elizabeth reflects that there is more than one kind of digger.
As Elizabeth walks back down, Elizabeth realizes she should ask whether Ian has the same alarm system as Tony, because that might explain how Ian could enter Tony’s house if Ian needed to. At the barricade, Elizabeth finds the gate padlocked and guarded by residents, climbs over it, and rejoins Joyce as Chris Hudson and Donna De Freitas approach Ian Ventham. Elizabeth prepares to return to the center of events.
Who Appears
- ElizabethInvestigates away from the protest, questions Bogdan, and identifies alarm access as a new clue.
- BogdanCarries a shovel to the cemetery; admits access and trust but denies killing Tony.
- Ian VenthamRemains under suspicion; his relationship with Bogdan and possible alarm access become important.
- JoyceStays at the barricade beside sleeping Bernard while Elizabeth investigates elsewhere.
- Bernard CottleHis bench is Elizabeth’s observation point; he later sleeps beside Joyce at the barricade.
- Chris HudsonApproaches Ian Ventham at the barricade with Donna as Elizabeth returns.
- Donna De FreitasArrives with Chris to deal with Ian Ventham at the protest.