Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 73
Overview
Chris and Donna reassess the two murder cases and settle on Jason Ritchie as their likely suspect for Tony Curran, while Matthew Mackie remains their focus for Ian Ventham. Their suspicion of Matthew sharpens because he lied about being a priest and could access fentanyl, but they still lack proof or a clear motive.
The chapter shifts the investigation toward the possibility that Matthew’s resistance to moving the graveyard is personal and secretive. Chris’s idea that something may be buried there links Ian’s death more directly to the hidden remains and raises the stakes around the graveyard.
Summary
Chris and Donna climb the three flights to Chris’s office because Donna has pretended to fear lifts in order to make Chris walk. As they go, they review their current theory: Jason Ritchie may be responsible for Tony Curran’s murder, while Matthew Mackie may be responsible for Ian Ventham’s death.
Chris and Donna agree that Matthew Mackie was present, has lied about being a priest, and, as a doctor, could have accessed and administered fentanyl. Their problem is motive: Matthew does not want the graveyard moved, but Chris says that is not enough to justify an arrest unless they can prove why.
Donna jokes about whether impersonating a priest is a crime, briefly lightening the mood, but both detectives know they have no solid evidence and risk letting Matthew slip away. Chris asks if Donna has heard from the Thursday Murder Club; Donna has not, and both find the silence worrying.
Chris also dreads telling the club about Jason Ritchie. Pausing on the landing while pretending to think, Chris suggests that Matthew may have something buried in the graveyard and wants to keep it from being uncovered. Donna agrees that a graveyard would be a good place to hide something.
Who Appears
- Chrisdetective reviewing suspects, evidence gaps, and a possible graveyard motive.
- Donnadetective pushing Chris to walk and helping test the Matthew Mackie theory.
- Matthew Mackiesuspected of Ian’s murder; exposed as a doctor impersonating a priest.
- Jason Ritchietreated by Chris and Donna as the leading suspect for Tony Curran’s murder.