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A Goodreads user asked this question about Where the Crawdads Sing:
So, if she did it, then she WAS the "guy" in disguise on the bus? It was kind of a disappointing ending for me. The author did a really good job in court showing how she didn't do it - that by the time it came around to the ending it seemed so unbelievable.
George Spoilers follow--but if you've read the question, you're already spoiled.

I've read about half the answers and their comments here, and responded to se…moreSpoilers follow--but if you've read the question, you're already spoiled.

I've read about half the answers and their comments here, and responded to several. I'm posting here what I've got left over.

As many others have said, the trial did NOT do a good job of showing how she didn't do it, but only that it could not be certain that she did. In Scottish law there's what the rest of the UK calls "the Scots verdict", viz. "Not Proven". Which the cynical translate as "Not guilty, but don't you dare do it again." That's all that the trial led to, not proof of innocence.

Readers who had any doubt that when the trial ended there was more to know about the murder are not mystery readers. Investigators in such novels commonly tell each other that there are always loose ends--but that's before their false theory is disproved and they reach the truth. And the absence of the necklace--which could only have been taken away by the killer, whether as a trophy or a penalty--was a loose end that flapped loudly in the slightest breeze.

Finally, I think two difficulties solve each other. If Chase was the sort of jerk who could wear the necklace despite everything--including his marriage--then he was also the sort who could be tricked by a message to "Meet me at the top of the tower at midnight. If you love me as I do you, you will await me."(less)
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Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens (Goodreads Author)
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