Question I

[Jonetta]

Olivia receives her trust fund in one year. If she dies before, it goes to her sister Natalie whose husband is in financial trouble from gambling losses. Was he and/or Natalie on your list of suspects in the attempts on Oliva’s life? Why or why not? Who did you suspect early on?

[Anita]

They were on my list, but I really didn't see them trying to kill Olivia. They were doing great, supposedly, with Robert managing their money. Simmons was at the top of my list.

[Susan]

I suspected Natalie for sure. A sister that would not stand by her side thru such an illness definitely has no scruples.

[Jessica]

I'm not sure I really suspected them. The lawyer had a much stronger motive.

[Sandra]

It seems many of Garwood's stories features an absolutely horrific sister. Natalie is another one. Such selfishness!

[Sharon]

I wasn't sure how they planned to do it, but I did think Natalie would try to get her sister's money.

Sandra, Garwood does have corrupt sisters in her stories, and aunts as substitute parents. I wonder if something in her life is the basis for this theme.

[Jessica]

Sharon wrote: "Sandra, Garwood does have corrupt sisters in her stories, and aunts as substitute parents. I wonder if something in her life is the basis for this theme."

I thought that was a good question so I read Garwood's Wikipedia entry. It seems she was the 6th of 7 children. It is impossible to give special attention to every child all the time, esp in a family that big, and so it makes sense they would seek out attachments to other adults. Garwood had a reading teacher who had a particularly strong influence on her.

[Robin]

Natalie was one of my suspects. I could see her hiring someone to get rid of her sister.