Making Friends Can Be Murder Summary, Characters and Themes

Making Friends Can Be Murder by Kathleen West is a captivating mystery novel that blends quirky humor with darker undertones.  The story follows Sarah Jones, a personal trainer who unexpectedly finds herself part of a unique group called “The Sarah Jones Project” (TSJP).

The group, consisting of women who share her name, begins with innocent fun but soon escalates into a murder investigation.  When a prominent Sarah Jones, the Federal Reserve chairwoman, is found dead under suspicious circumstances, the group of Sarahs becomes entangled in the investigation. As the mystery unfolds, secrets and complex relationships emerge, pushing the characters to confront their pasts and their present lives in unexpected ways.

Summary

Sarah Jones, a personal trainer, has recently relocated to Minneapolis.  Upon arriving, she becomes part of a peculiar group named “The Sarah Jones Project” (TSJP), which consists of women who all share her name.

What starts as a fun social experiment to connect people with the same name through shared experiences takes a more serious turn when the group becomes famous for their unique project.  The group, with members ranging in age from seventeen to sixty-nine, gains attention after they yarn-bomb a tree in a local park.

The media coverage, including an article in the Pioneer Press, brings even more attention to the group’s quirky initiative.

The origins of TSJP are rooted in the troubled past of one of its members, Seventeen, a young woman who landed herself in trouble due to social media mishaps.  In an attempt to rehabilitate her image, she creates TSJP as a way to bring together women with the same name, building intergenerational friendships.

Through the project, Sarah, the personal trainer, sees an opportunity to grow her local business, using social media to showcase her skills.  The project, although unusual, brings a sense of community to Sarah, who initially felt isolated in the city.

However, everything changes when one of the Sarah Joneses, the Federal Reserve chairwoman, is found dead under mysterious circumstances.  The news of her death quickly becomes national, and the authorities suspect foul play.

Twenty-Seven, another member of TSJP who worked as a nanny for the deceased woman’s children, is devastated to learn she was the last person to see the woman alive.  The group, still reeling from the loss, becomes embroiled in the investigation, debating whether they should help the police or take matters into their own hands.

Seventeen, the leader of the group, insists they investigate the murder themselves.

As the group members process their grief and shock, they become increasingly involved in the investigation.  Ruby, the daughter of the deceased woman, reaches out to the group, revealing her concerns about the police’s handling of the case.

She believes the authorities have no solid leads and that the group, with their growing online presence, could potentially help solve the mystery.  Twenty-Seven, although hesitant, agrees to work with the group, especially since the police have made her a primary suspect in the case.

The group’s bond strengthens as they dive deeper into the investigation.  They confront their own feelings of guilt, uncertainty, and loss while trying to figure out the truth behind the murder.

Their online fame, which was once a source of amusement, now ties them to a real-life tragedy.  As they investigate further, Sarah and the group question their motivations and whether they are in over their heads.

The investigation takes unexpected turns as the group members follow various leads.  Despite their best efforts, they continue to struggle with their own personal lives and the pressure of the investigation.

Sarah, in particular, questions how much she is willing to risk for the sake of solving the crime.  The group members’ relationships become more complicated as they face the weight of their involvement in a serious matter that transcends their initial project.

The investigation begins to take on more significance, and the group must come to terms with their roles in the mystery.

The mystery becomes more intricate as Sarah and her friends uncover new details, revealing the complex dynamics of the family and the various people close to the deceased woman.  The sense of fate and destiny also plays a significant role in the narrative, with many characters believing that their involvement in the case is not entirely coincidental.

As the investigation progresses, Sarah and her friends grapple with the intersections of their identities as individuals, their connection to the deceased woman, and the responsibility they now feel to uncover the truth.

Through the course of the investigation, themes of community, identity, and the consequences of fame are explored.  The initially whimsical and lighthearted project becomes a backdrop for a darker, more serious endeavor.

The group’s sense of connection, which had once been about fun and friendship, becomes a tool for uncovering truths, and they begin to realize that they can, in fact, make a difference in a way they had not anticipated.  Yet, they must contend with the darker side of their newfound fame, including the danger it now brings.

As the group navigates the investigation, their personalities and motivations evolve, and they become more invested in the outcome.  The novel examines the complex nature of human relationships and the impact of social media on real-life events.

The once innocent project, born out of a shared name, becomes a lifeline for the group as they confront the reality of their situation.  The theme of community and the bond they share, despite their differences, becomes central to their journey toward uncovering the truth.

The mystery unravels slowly, with twists and turns that keep both the characters and readers on edge.  The characters face difficult questions about their involvement in the case, their own personal challenges, and their place in the world.

Ultimately, the investigation forces the group to confront their own vulnerabilities and question what they are willing to do in the pursuit of justice.  Through this journey, they discover the strength of their connection and the power of their collective determination.

Characters

Sarah Jones

Sarah Jones is the protagonist of Making Friends Can Be Murder, a personal trainer who becomes entangled in a mysterious and dark situation after the sudden death of one of the women in her quirky social media project, The Sarah Jones Project (TSJP).  Initially, Sarah appears as someone who is seeking community and connection in a new city, Minneapolis, through her project that unites women with the same name.

She uses her personal training career as a means of building relationships while showcasing her skills online, but she quickly finds herself drawn into a more complicated and sinister situation.  As the story unfolds, Sarah is faced with not only the death of her namesake but also her growing involvement in a murder investigation.

Her initial desire to simply build a friendly and whimsical online community gradually transforms into a deep introspection of who she is and how her identity is influenced by the tragedy surrounding her.  She is forced to confront her guilt, the role social media plays in her life, and the complexity of her personal relationships.

Through this journey, Sarah reflects on the importance of community, the weight of responsibility, and the consequences of actions that spiral out of control.

Seventeen

Seventeen, one of the core members of The Sarah Jones Project, is a key figure who drives much of the narrative forward.  At seventeen years old, Seventeen has a youthful energy and a strong presence within the group.

Her initial attempt to use social media for rehabilitation after a probationary sentence for mishandling her own social media presence results in the formation of TSJP.  Seventeen’s leadership is driven by a desire for redemption, but her youthful exuberance sometimes leads to reckless decisions, especially when the murder investigation begins.

Seventeen’s drive to take matters into her own hands and investigate the death of Sarah Jones, the Federal Reserve chairwoman, reveals her stubbornness and the sense of urgency she feels to prove herself.  Her quick-thinking and leadership skills inspire the rest of the group to get involved in the investigation, even though it exposes them to significant risk.

Over the course of the narrative, Seventeen grapples with her own sense of responsibility and maturity, realizing that being a leader in such a high-stakes situation requires not just action but careful consideration of the consequences.

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Seven is a more grounded and complex member of The Sarah Jones Project.  As a nanny for the deceased woman’s children, she finds herself directly involved in the investigation when it is revealed that she was the last person to see the Fed chairwoman alive.

This connection to the death of Sarah Jones casts a shadow over her, and she feels an immense sense of guilt and confusion.  Throughout the story, Twenty-Seven is hesitant to embrace the more active role in the investigation that Seventeen encourages.

She is reluctant to put herself in the limelight, especially since the police have already focused on her as a potential suspect.  Her primary conflict is internal, as she struggles with her own feelings of guilt and the desire to clear her name.

Despite her reluctance, Twenty-Seven ultimately agrees to work alongside the group, feeling a responsibility not just to herself but to the children she cared for.  Her journey is one of self-discovery and personal growth, where she learns to trust herself and her instincts, despite the chaos and danger surrounding her.

George Nightingale

George Nightingale is a newly appointed FBI agent who becomes personally and professionally involved in the investigation into Sarah Jones’s death.  George’s character adds depth to the narrative, as his journey unfolds both in terms of his professional role and his personal conflicts.

Early on, George struggles with the weight of his responsibilities, reflecting on his past as a camp director and the expectations placed on him by his father.  His initial interactions with Caden Campbell, Sarah’s husband, are marked by a sense of professionalism but also personal curiosity, especially when he begins to connect with Sarah Jones, the personal trainer.

Over time, George’s professional duties as an FBI agent and his personal feelings for Sarah begin to collide, creating a complicated dynamic.  His growing attraction to Sarah complicates his investigation, and he finds himself questioning his own moral compass.

George’s internal conflict and his role as an agent bring an interesting tension to the story, especially as his relationship with Sarah develops amidst the increasingly complex murder investigation.  His emotional journey is shaped by his unresolved grief over his childhood friend, Henry O’Neill, who went missing under mysterious circumstances, mirroring the unresolved feelings he has for the case at hand.

Gretchen Jones

Gretchen Jones, the older sister of Sarah, plays a pivotal role in the investigation.  Her strained relationship with her sister is central to understanding her motivations and the family dynamics at play.

Gretchen’s resentment towards Sarah stems from their difficult childhood and the contrasting paths they chose—Sarah, driven by academic success and high achievement, and Gretchen, who chose to focus on motherhood.  This rift deepened after their mother’s death, with their differing approaches to life and feminism fueling a sense of alienation between the sisters.

As the investigation into Sarah’s death deepens, Gretchen is questioned by the FBI about her potential involvement.  While she denies any direct involvement in the murder, her suspicious behavior raises questions.

Her interactions with Sarah’s husband, Caden, and the missing necklace suggest that Gretchen might be hiding something.  Throughout the investigation, Gretchen is forced to confront the unresolved issues with her sister and grapple with her own role in their fractured relationship.

Her actions and reflections reveal deep emotional layers, from regret over missed opportunities to repair their bond to guilt about her own involvement in the family’s secrets.

Gabriella Johnson

Gabriella Johnson is the nanny for Sarah Jones’s children, and her role in the investigation into Sarah’s death is central to the plot.  Gabriella’s character is marked by internal conflict, manipulation, and a desire for redemption.

Initially, she is portrayed as a trusted figure in the family, but as the investigation unfolds, more of her hidden actions come to light.  Gabriella’s involvement in a fraudulent scheme and her potential connection to Sarah’s death add complexity to her character.

Her reflections on her past, particularly the death of her brother, Oscar, which she feels responsible for, reveal a deeper layer of guilt and regret.  As the investigation continues, Gabriella becomes more introspective, grappling with her mistakes and the choices that led her down a dark path.

Her desire for forgiveness is evident, but she understands the difficulty of achieving redemption.  The interrogation scenes with Detective Hurley and Special Agent George Nightingale show Gabriella’s growing awareness of her culpability, but also her sense of being manipulated by those around her.

Ultimately, Gabriella’s story is one of self-deception, manipulation, and the hard reality of facing the consequences of her actions.

Themes

Identity and Self-Discovery

The characters in Making Friends Can Be Murder navigate through complex layers of identity, which become especially challenging in the context of their shared name, Sarah Jones.  For Sarah Jones, the protagonist, the project that initially seems whimsical soon becomes a mirror reflecting her search for belonging and personal connection.

The intergenerational group of women united by the same name provides a platform for Sarah and the others to explore who they are, what they stand for, and what it means to truly belong in a community.  The nature of their bond—essentially born from a commonality as simple as a name—becomes a significant part of their self-discovery process.

Each member of the group, from Seventeen to Sixty-Nine, brings with them a unique set of experiences, highlighting the varied ways people create their identities within their environments.  For Sarah, her personal identity is tied to her role as a personal trainer and a member of the group, but as the murder investigation deepens, she is forced to confront deeper questions about who she is beyond her professional and social life.

The group’s transformation from a lighthearted social media project to a collective force trying to solve a murder challenges each woman to reevaluate her own sense of purpose and identity in the face of tragedy.

In addition to this personal exploration, the shared name serves as both a unifying and a divisive element.  The bond created through a common identity forces Sarah and the other women to reckon with the impact of their names and, by extension, their lives.

For Seventeen, the creation of The Sarah Jones Project becomes an attempt at self-rehabilitation after a social media mishap that disrupted her sense of self.  Similarly, the murder of the prominent Sarah Jones casts a shadow over the group, compelling them to reconsider how they are perceived both individually and as part of this unusual collective.

The loss of one of their own brings about a realization that the very identity they took pride in is intertwined with a far more sinister reality, forcing them to evolve and redefine themselves in the face of unexpected crisis.

Community and Connection

The sense of community that evolves throughout the story is rooted in the women’s shared experiences and the common ground of their names.  What starts as a lighthearted project becomes a meaningful exploration of how human beings seek connection in a world that can often feel isolating.

Sarah, new to Minneapolis, initially finds comfort in the oddity of the group, seeing it as a way to fill a void in her life.  However, as they work together to solve a murder, the connection they share shifts from one of mere novelty to a deep, almost familial bond.

The intergenerational nature of the group allows for the blending of perspectives, where the younger Sarahs bring a sense of youthful energy and new-age social media prowess, while the older members offer wisdom and life experiences that challenge the group to think more critically about their roles in the world.  Through this collaboration, the women learn that connection is not simply about shared experiences, but about mutual trust, vulnerability, and the willingness to face difficult truths together.

As the investigation unfolds, the community aspect becomes even more significant.  The Sarah Joneses must navigate not only their personal struggles but also their collective responsibility to uncover the truth behind the death of one of their own.

This shared purpose binds them closer and forces each member to confront not just their individual fears but also their impact on the larger group.  In this sense, the theme of community transcends the group project and becomes a way of surviving the tragedy together, making the characters realize the strength that comes from being part of something larger than themselves.

The group’s evolving sense of connection highlights the importance of support systems, especially when faced with uncertainty and loss.  It also demonstrates how a sense of belonging can evolve, from something seemingly trivial to a life-saving force in moments of crisis.

Responsibility and Consequences

The theme of responsibility runs throughout Making Friends Can Be Murder, particularly as the Sarah Jones group becomes increasingly involved in the investigation of the murder.  While their shared purpose initially seemed innocent and even playful, the unfolding mystery forces each character to confront the far-reaching consequences of their actions.

Seventeen’s attempt to rehabilitate her social media image by creating The Sarah Jones Project is a subtle commentary on how people navigate their responsibilities in a digital age, where personal mistakes can go viral, and the pressure to perform in the public eye can have serious implications.  This theme is most profoundly explored as Sarah and her fellow Sarahs move beyond the initial fun of their project and face the moral and legal responsibilities of getting involved in a murder investigation.

Each decision they make, whether it is to question witnesses or delve into potentially dangerous territory, carries weight that impacts their lives and the lives of those around them.

The characters also grapple with the consequences of their personal actions.  In the case of George, the FBI agent, his professional life is complicated by his growing personal attachment to Sarah, which adds a layer of moral conflict to his investigation.

His emotional connection to her blurs the lines between duty and desire, forcing him to confront the consequences of allowing personal feelings to influence his professional obligations.  Similarly, the involvement of the group in solving the murder challenges the women to assess how far they are willing to go in the name of justice.

As the investigation deepens, they must decide how much they are willing to risk for the sake of uncovering the truth, and whether their actions will ultimately help or harm the people they care about.  The theme of responsibility in this context becomes a larger reflection on the impact of individual choices on the collective, highlighting how actions, even those taken with the best intentions, can have irreversible consequences.

Trust and Deception

The theme of trust and deception plays a critical role in the narrative, especially as characters grapple with the idea of whom to trust and what to believe.  The murder investigation reveals the extent to which the characters, both in the Sarah Jones group and the broader network of individuals connected to Sarah’s life, harbor secrets.

Gabriella, Sarah’s nanny, becomes a focal point of suspicion.  Her involvement in a web of deceit regarding Sarah’s life and death creates a complex dynamic where the characters must navigate their feelings of betrayal and uncertainty.

As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that no one is entirely trustworthy, and the true nature of each character’s motivations remains shrouded in mystery.

The shifting dynamics of trust are particularly evident in the relationship between George and Sarah.  Initially, Sarah views George as a source of support and stability, but as their interactions become more intertwined with the investigation, she begins to question his motives.

George’s role as both an investigator and a potential romantic interest complicates the trust that exists between them, highlighting the precarious nature of relationships when hidden agendas and conflicting interests are at play.  The story continually challenges the reader to consider the idea that trust, once broken, is difficult to rebuild, and the ripple effects of deception can lead to unintended consequences.

This exploration of trust and betrayal not only drives the plot forward but also deepens the emotional and psychological layers of the characters, who must come to terms with the realization that the truth is often far more elusive than they initially believed.