Can You Solve the Murder Summary, Characters and Themes
Can You Solve the Murder? by Antony Johnston is a gripping crime thriller that plunges readers into the web of intrigue surrounding the murder of Harry Kennedy, a wealthy housing developer.
Set in the serene yet ominous atmosphere of a wellness retreat, the novel explores the complex relationships, secrets, and financial motives that unravel as the investigation unfolds. Sergeant McAdam and the protagonist are tasked with uncovering the truth behind Kennedy’s mysterious death, which leads them to a tangled conspiracy involving politicians, business dealings, and personal vendettas. As they uncover deceit and betrayal, they must navigate a maze of suspects, lies, and conflicting evidence, with the truth slowly coming to light as they dig deeper into the case.
Summary
The novel begins with the discovery of Harry Kennedy’s body at Elysium, a wellness retreat located at Finchcote Manor. Sergeant McAdam and the Inspector arrive to investigate, with McAdam’s erratic driving and their light banter offering a contrast to the seriousness of the case.
Upon reaching the crime scene, they are briefed by Constable Zwale, who leads them to the forensics tent. Dr. Wash, the pathologist, reveals that Kennedy, a 50-year-old housing developer, was found dead from a fall from a fourth-floor balcony. A gardening fork is lodged in his chest, and a red rose is found in his mouth, suggesting a violent and deliberate act.
The investigation quickly focuses on the crime scene and the details surrounding the death. The pathologist provides an estimated time of death around 10:45 AM, just before the body was discovered.
Kennedy’s phone, which was found several meters from his body, raises suspicion, as it seems too far for it to have simply bounced after the fall. The investigation team also uncovers that Kennedy had access to a staff-only room, which had been tampered with, and a blood trail leads them to a broken window, indicating a possible struggle before Kennedy was thrown over the balcony.
A matching rose plant near the balcony adds another potential clue. The Inspector speculates that the phone might have been thrown or stolen to cover the killer’s tracks.
As the investigation progresses, several suspects emerge. The first is Carla Nesbitt, the local MP, who seems more concerned about her lunch than the murder itself.
Her dismissive attitude and evasive answers raise red flags, especially when she suggests Kennedy may have committed suicide. Further probing reveals that Kennedy had sent Carla a cryptic message warning her not to back out of a potentially criminal deal involving a bribe for the council’s approval of a housing project.
The connection between Carla and Kennedy becomes murkier as the investigation uncovers their possible involvement in corrupt dealings.
The focus of the investigation shifts to Kennedy’s business affairs, especially his attempts to secure approval for a controversial housing project near the Burrowlands estate. Tensions with the local planning department point to a financial motive for the murder.
The Inspector suspects that Kennedy’s dealings with Carla Nesbitt, including the potential bribe, played a key role in his death. The investigation deepens when Dr.
Wash provides critical forensic evidence. DNA traces found in a secret storage room indicate that Carla had been there, linking her to the crime scene, although her exact involvement remains unclear.
Further investigation uncovers more about Kennedy’s connections and motivations. The retreat’s manager, Stephen Cheong, becomes a prime suspect as his financial troubles are linked to the development project.
The team also learns that Kennedy’s large monetary package had not been paid for, casting doubt on his reasons for being at Elysium in the first place. The Inspector theorizes that Kennedy’s stay at the retreat may have been a cover for his shady dealings, and his relationship with Carla was likely both political and personal.
The investigation takes another turn when Jennifer Watts, a receptionist at Elysium, reveals that Kennedy had a mysterious phone call shortly before his death. His strained interactions with several staff members, including a woman named Roxana, point to a more complicated personal life.
The team also uncovers information about a floral fraud scheme involving Stephen Cheong. Kennedy had discovered Cheong’s illegal activity, using it as leverage over him.
Tank, a tech mogul at the retreat, also reveals knowledge of the fraud. This adds another layer of complexity to the case.
The investigation continues, with several witnesses and suspects providing conflicting statements. Eventually, the focus shifts to Stephen, who had a motive to silence Kennedy, especially after his fraudulent activities were exposed.
However, a key twist arises when the investigators are reprimanded for an illegal search of Stephen’s office, leading to his release. This mistake results in the team’s suspension, leaving the case unresolved.
Despite the setback, McAdam and the protagonist continue their investigation. They receive a tip that Flora Kennedy, Harry’s wife, may have lied about her whereabouts on the day of the murder.
Traffic camera footage places her near the crime scene, and she is seen attempting to retrieve a suspicious parcel addressed to her late husband from the retreat. This parcel becomes a crucial piece of evidence.
Meanwhile, the investigators dig deeper into Kennedy’s financial troubles and his alleged blackmail of several people, including Carla Nesbitt and Stephen Cheong. This further complicates the case, as it becomes clear that multiple people had reasons to want Kennedy dead.
The team continues to gather evidence, including phone records, emails, and CCTV footage, which begin to reveal a complex web of lies and deceit. The protagonist and McAdam suspect that Flora may have been involved in a cover-up, but their investigation points to several others, including Jennifer Watts, who had a key to the storeroom where Kennedy’s body was found.
The web of personal and financial motives grows as the investigators uncover more about the key suspects and their relationships with Kennedy.
Eventually, Flora is arrested but maintains her innocence. However, new evidence and further questioning point to several potential culprits.
As the investigation reaches its climax, the team uncovers Stephen Cheong’s involvement in the floral fraud scheme and his potential motive to protect his reputation. However, before the case can be solidified, a tragic event unfolds.
Tank, who had been providing crucial information, drowns in a storm while attempting to flee. This leads to a suspension of the investigation, leaving the case unresolved for the time being.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Alina Martinescu, a massage therapist at Elysium, confesses to the murder. She explains that Kennedy had sexually harassed her and others, and that she had killed him in self-defense after he attempted to assault her again.
The murder was staged to implicate Stephen, but her motive was to protect herself and her sister from further harm. The confession leads to Alina’s arrest, and the case is finally closed, although the circumstances surrounding the crime remain controversial.
As the investigation concludes, the protagonist reflects on the errors made and the complicated web of lies and deceit that surrounded Kennedy’s death. Though the murderer is caught, the truth behind the crime was buried beneath layers of personal vendettas, corruption, and mistakes, leaving a trail of consequences for everyone involved.
Characters
Sergeant McAdam
Sergeant McAdam plays a crucial role in the investigation, serving as a partner to the protagonist throughout the case. McAdam is presented as a reliable and straightforward character who is deeply dedicated to the task at hand.
Her casual attitude towards her family, highlighted through her mentions of children, contrasts with her intense focus on the case. This allows McAdam to maintain a grounded presence despite the complexity and emotional tension surrounding the investigation.
Her directness, often displayed through her sharp observations and quick thinking, makes her an essential asset to the investigation. However, her personal life occasionally seeps through, especially when discussing the intricacies of the case, hinting at a more empathetic and relatable side beneath the hardened exterior.
This combination of professional commitment and subtle personal depth adds dimension to McAdam’s character.
Carla Nesbitt
Carla Nesbitt, the local Member of Parliament, is a central figure in the investigation, both politically and personally. From the outset, her demeanor raises suspicion, as she dismisses Harry Kennedy’s death too casually, hinting at a deeper connection to the case.
Her initial evasiveness and reluctance to discuss her relationship with Kennedy make her an intriguing suspect. As the story unfolds, more details emerge about her involvement in a potentially corrupt housing deal and her financial ties with Kennedy.
The revelation that she was having an affair with him adds further complexity to her character. Despite the mounting evidence linking her to the murder, Carla remains defiant, denying her involvement.
This creates a character who is both calculating and seemingly untouchable, making her motivations difficult to decipher. Her political and personal ties to the crime suggest a character whose actions are driven by both ambition and self-preservation.
Stephen Cheong
Stephen Cheong, the manager of the Elysium retreat, plays a pivotal role in the investigation, particularly as the team uncovers his potential financial troubles and involvement in illegal activities. Initially portrayed as a mild-mannered, perhaps even innocent character, Stephen’s darker side gradually emerges as his connections to the fraudulent floral scheme and his possible motives for murder come to light.
Stephen’s initial interactions with the investigators are marked by defensiveness and a tendency to downplay the severity of the situation. However, his complex relationship with Kennedy, combined with the financial leverage Kennedy had over him, positions him as a key suspect.
His involvement in the fraudulent scheme and the potential threat of his reputation being destroyed by Kennedy’s knowledge provide him with a clear motive. Ultimately, Stephen’s role in the murder investigation reflects the themes of greed, betrayal, and desperation that run throughout the narrative.
Flora Kennedy
Flora Kennedy, Harry’s wife, is initially seen as a potential suspect due to circumstantial evidence, including her proximity to the crime scene and her lack of an alibi. However, as the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that Flora’s involvement in her husband’s death is not as straightforward as it first appeared.
She consistently maintains her innocence, despite the growing suspicion surrounding her. Flora’s emotional responses suggest that her relationship with Harry was strained, potentially due to personal and financial difficulties.
However, she remains steadfast in denying any connection to his murder. The investigation into her life reveals tensions related to inheritance and divorce, but Flora’s complex emotional state and her refusal to admit guilt make her a more sympathetic character in the context of the story.
Her eventual release from custody due to the lack of concrete evidence highlights the ambiguity surrounding her character.
Jennifer Watts
Jennifer Watts, the receptionist at Elysium, is another character whose actions raise suspicion as the investigation unfolds. Her involvement becomes apparent as the team uncovers her key to the locked storeroom where Kennedy’s body was found.
There are hints that Jennifer might have been more closely involved with Kennedy, possibly through an affair or other undisclosed interactions. Her character is enigmatic, as she denies any direct involvement in the murder, but her role in the investigation continues to deepen as new evidence surfaces.
The possibility that Jennifer could have played a part in the crime is complicated by the conflicting statements from other staff members and the lack of clear evidence linking her to the act of murder itself. Her presence in the investigation exemplifies the web of personal relationships and hidden motives that complicate the case.
Alina Martinescu
Alina Martinescu, a massage therapist at Elysium, emerges as a surprising character toward the end of the investigation. Her confession to the murder of Harry Kennedy shocks the team, revealing her as the true perpetrator.
Alina’s motivation for the murder is rooted in a combination of self-defense and revenge. She explains that Kennedy had sexually harassed her and others, leading to a volatile confrontation.
Her actions, driven by a desire to protect herself and her sister from further harm, culminated in a violent act of retaliation. Alina’s character, while initially appearing to be a minor figure in the story, ultimately reveals the emotional and psychological complexity of her situation.
Her confession provides a tragic conclusion to the investigation, one that highlights the personal trauma and complicated emotions behind the murder.
Roxana Martinescu
Roxana Martinescu, Alina’s sister, also plays a significant role in the development of Alina’s motives. Although not a primary suspect in the murder itself, Roxana’s relationship with Alina and their shared experiences of abuse at the hands of Harry Kennedy add depth to the narrative.
Roxana’s vulnerability and the bond between her and Alina provide a background to Alina’s actions, making the crime a tragic response to years of mistreatment. Roxana’s presence in the story underscores the themes of survival and the lengths people will go to in order to protect those they love.
Although Roxana is not directly involved in the murder, her connection to Alina and the abuse they both suffered helps to explain the emotional intensity behind the crime.
Themes
Power and Corruption
In Can You Solve the Murder, power plays a central role, both in the dynamics between characters and in the motives behind the crime. The characters in positions of power—Carla Nesbitt, the local MP, and Kennedy, the housing developer—wield their influence to manipulate those around them, showcasing how power can breed corruption.
Carla’s involvement in a political scandal involving a bribe is a prime example of how those with power are often willing to use unethical means to maintain control and secure their interests. Kennedy, too, uses his power to blackmail individuals, leveraging their secrets for his own financial gain.
This creates an environment where personal ambition and greed drive individuals to commit drastic actions, including murder, in order to protect their reputations or to gain an advantage. The connection between power and corruption becomes clear as characters like Kennedy and Carla remain untouched by the law until their actions are exposed.
The theme explores how those who are entrenched in power systems often find themselves above the law, creating a web of deceit and manipulation that contributes to the complexity of the murder investigation.
Deception and Lies
Lies and deception are pervasive in the investigation, as nearly every character has something to hide, and the truth is consistently obscured by half-truths and omissions. The investigators are faced with a labyrinth of misleading statements, particularly from those closest to the victim, including his wife, Flora Kennedy.
Her initial lie about her whereabouts raises suspicions and opens the door to further investigations into her possible motives. The deceit extends beyond Flora, with several characters like Jennifer Watts and Stephen Cheong hiding critical information, whether it’s about their relationships with Kennedy or their involvement in shady dealings.
What makes the theme of deception particularly striking is the way these lies intertwine with the various suspects’ motives. For instance, Stephen Cheong’s involvement in a floral fraud scheme, which Kennedy discovered, becomes a crucial element of the investigation.
The web of lies becomes harder to untangle as each revelation leads to another layer of deception, blurring the lines between guilt and innocence. Ultimately, the lies create a sense of uncertainty that prevents the investigation from progressing smoothly, leading to numerous dead ends and misdirections.
Justice and Morality
The pursuit of justice is a central concern throughout the story, especially when the investigation begins to unravel layers of moral ambiguity. The notion of justice is questioned repeatedly as the characters involved in the case are revealed to have complex, often questionable moral compasses.
Alina Martinescu’s confession to the murder reveals the blurred line between right and wrong, as her actions—though driven by self-defense—were rooted in revenge for years of harassment. The moral ambiguity surrounding her case forces readers to question the nature of justice itself: Is it always about the letter of the law, or does it sometimes require understanding the context behind actions?
This theme is further explored through the actions of the investigators, who, in their zeal to solve the case, make mistakes that lead to the wrongful suspension of suspects. The final resolution of the case is filled with moral tension, as the justice system fails to deliver a clean, unequivocal answer.
The outcome suggests that while justice may be served in some form, the moral consequences of the characters’ actions will continue to resonate far beyond the case’s closure.
Class and Social Hierarchies
The social divide and class distinctions are subtly woven into the investigation, highlighting the ways in which characters from different backgrounds view the events at Elysium and the murder of Harry Kennedy. The wellness retreat, a setting that exudes wealth and exclusivity, serves as a microcosm for the class dynamics at play.
The staff members, including Jennifer Watts and Stephen Cheong, are portrayed as people struggling with their own personal issues, many of which are rooted in financial difficulties. Meanwhile, Kennedy and the wealthy, powerful figures he interacts with—like Carla Nesbitt—are seen as untouchable, enjoying privileges that others can only dream of.
This class distinction is particularly evident in the way the investigation unfolds. The detectives, especially Sergeant McAdam, come from a working-class background and face challenges navigating the world of the elite, where money and power often mask the truth.
The complex relationships between the characters reflect the social divide, and the investigation reveals how people from different walks of life use their positions to influence outcomes, whether through financial leverage, political power, or status. The story critiques the ways in which social hierarchies often dictate the course of justice, with wealth and power providing insulation from scrutiny and punishment.
Revenge and Betrayal
Revenge and betrayal emerge as significant motivations behind the crime, underscoring the lengths to which individuals will go to seek retribution. Alina Martinescu’s confession to the murder reveals the deep emotional scars left by years of harassment and abuse.
Her act of violence against Kennedy, while initially seeming like a premeditated murder, is revealed to be an act of desperation fueled by a desire to protect herself and her sister from further harm. This personal vendetta adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, as it forces the characters and the readers to confront the darker side of human nature, where revenge can overpower rational thinking.
The theme of betrayal is also explored through the relationships between Kennedy and the various people around him. His manipulation of his colleagues and his exploitation of their secrets set the stage for his downfall, as those who had once been loyal to him are now driven to betray him in order to protect their own interests.
The web of betrayal becomes all-encompassing, creating a situation where no one can be fully trusted, and motives are constantly in flux.