Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 98: Joyce
Overview
Joyce’s confidence in the Thursday Murder Club’s schemes falters when Elizabeth fails to return on time from her dangerous confrontation. Joyce breaks secrecy and calls Donna, bringing the police back into the situation and admitting that the club has been withholding serious information.
The chapter shifts the mood from playful investigation to real danger, showing Joyce’s fear that Elizabeth may not be as untouchable as she has always seemed.
Summary
Joyce waits anxiously after following Elizabeth’s instructions. Elizabeth said she would be gone for two hours, but more than two hours have passed, and Joyce begins to fear that the club’s investigation has become genuinely dangerous rather than an exciting game.
Joyce wishes Ron and Ibrahim were with her, but both are absent, leaving Joyce to decide whether to keep Elizabeth’s plan secret. Joyce reflects that the club has hidden many things from Chris and Donna, but this situation feels far more serious.
Because Elizabeth has not returned, Joyce calls Donna and admits where Elizabeth has gone. Donna is furious, accusing Elizabeth of lying and Joyce of cowardice, and Joyce accepts that the criticism is fair.
Joyce, nervous and eager to be liked even in a crisis, awkwardly compliments Donna’s eye shadow before Donna hangs up. Joyce continues writing while waiting for Donna to arrive, worried that her belief in Elizabeth’s indestructibility may be wrong.
Who Appears
- JoyceNarrator; anxiously waits for Elizabeth, breaks secrecy, and calls Donna for help.
- ElizabethAbsent but central; overdue after a dangerous plan, causing Joyce to fear for her safety.
- DonnaPolice officer contacted by Joyce; angry about the deception but immediately heads to help.