Joyce could be considered the novel’s main protagonist as she is the only first-person narrator. She voices her thoughts through her diary entries, sometimes directly addressing the reader. Joyce’s lack of worldliness means her narration is often unintentionally amusing. A running joke in the novel is her astonishment at the popularity of her Instagram account “@GreatJoy69.”

A retired nurse, 77-year-old Joyce is cheerful, positive, and warm-hearted. Perceived as a sweet old lady, she is frequently underestimated by others. Joyce’s romantic nature means she is attracted to almost every man she meets. However, she still mourns her late husband Gerry, crying after she dreams they are reunited. She also occasionally suffers from loneliness, feeling overlooked by her daughter Joanna whom she wishes would visit more often.

In the first novel in the series, Joyce is invigorated by her involvement with the Thursday Murder Club. Naturally spontaneous, she enjoys the excitement of accompanying Elizabeth on adventures without knowing where they are going. In the sequel, Joyce’s character arc continues as she grows more independent and acts on her initiative. Her emotional intelligence and interest in other people provide important insights that other characters miss.