Winifred answers “Help me out: I don’t understand the motive...”

Joy asked this question about K is for Killer (Kinsey Millhone, #11):

Help me out: I don’t understand the motive for the main murder. Why did he kill Lorna?

Winifred This ending also left me scratching my head and wondering, "What just happened?" It didn't help that I had listened to the book, so it is harder to go…moreThis ending also left me scratching my head and wondering, "What just happened?" It didn't help that I had listened to the book, so it is harder to go back and find out the relevant bits to help it fall into place. Without getting all the details lined up (which would take my reading the whole book over in a print edition!), I believe that Lorna was killed because she stumbled onto the basic plot to kill Serena's father. Lorna did work at this water treatment plant, as well as having other connections with both Roger and the old, very powerful man. She was killed to keep her quiet...Esselmann was killed for the usual reasons having to do with power and greed. So far I think I get although I don't remember all the details.
That said, I DID enjoy (after I scratched my head and listened again to the last little bit) the way Roger was dealt with. Kinsey had set things off with those shadowy Mafia types by calling the phone number they'd given her and accusing Roger of being the killer. Then, in a fit of remorse, she takes off to the water treatment plant to warn Roger--who puts her out of action, and then is himself put out of action by the very same Mafia types who come for him. She sees that limo gliding away into the night, and Roger, the killer, is never heard of again...a satisfactory result. Yes, it is all shady, but sometimes life is a bit shady and not wrapped up with a neat bow. Many of the great mystery writers did end up with similar sorts of results from time to time.(less)

flag

View 1 comment

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more