Return of the Spider Chapter 35 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Gary Soneji drives north on Interstate 495, resisting the temptation to revisit the crime scene in Beltsville. He continues onto I-95 toward Baltimore and Wilmington, setting his cruise control just above the speed limit to avoid police attention. In the trunk are incriminating items from the previous night. While listening to jazz, Soneji mentally replays the flawless double murder of two young women in a green Chevy Malibu. He shot the driver through the right rear window, hitting her in the cheek below the eye. The passenger screamed but never saw him; he shot her through the hand and into the temple. To avoid his earlier mistake with Abby, Soneji fired an extra round into each victim, then tore a flap of scalp from the passenger's head. He reflects on mastering David Berkowitz and decides it is time to move on, though he has unfinished tasks from the first shooting. To conceal the evidence, Soneji drives to the Chrome Barrens, a nature preserve undergoing a controlled burn. He parks, don rubber boots and latex gloves, shoulders a hiking pack, and hikes through the woods to an abandoned farmhouse and shed. He crouches at the edge of the yard, listening and observing, checking if anything has changed since his last visit.
Key Events
- Soneji fights the urge to drive past the crime scene, instead staying on the interstate.
- He recalls the murder of two women in a green Chevy Malibu, including the details of the shooting and scalp-taking.
- Soneji reflects on mastering David Berkowitz and decides to study a new killer.
- He drives to the Chrome Barrens, a nature preserve with a controlled burn in progress.
- Soneji dons rubber boots, gloves, and a hiking pack from his trunk.
- He navigates through the woods to an abandoned farmhouse and shed, using a previously cleared path.
- Soneji crouches and listens, checking if the area is under surveillance.
Character Development
Gary Soneji demonstrates a methodical and self-critical mindset. He resists impulsive behavior, noting that revisiting the crime scene would be a rookie mistake. His recollection of the murder reveals a cold, ritualistic approach: he aims for specific kill shots, adds extra bullets to ensure death, and collects a trophy (the scalp). Soneji's comparison to David Berkowitz shows his desire for mastery and progression—he views himself as evolving beyond previous serial killers. His decision to postpone unfinished tasks from the first shooting indicates both exhaustion and a strategic patience. At the Chrome Barrens, Soneji's careful preparation and cautious movement highlight his adaptation to environments and his awareness of potential surveillance. He remains calm and deliberate, even when faced with an unexpected controlled burn, which he sees as an advantage.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Mastery and Competition: Soneji mentally ranks himself against David Berkowitz, seeking to surpass a known serial killer. This theme of rivalry drives his self-evaluation and future study choices.
- Ritual and Trophy-taking: The scalp taken from the passenger is a symbolic act that goes beyond killing—it establishes a personal ritual and a physical reminder of the crime.
- Nature as Concealment: The controlled burn at the Chrome Barrens represents both a literal and metaphorical cover. The smoke provides an extra layer of concealment, and the natural setting hides Soneji's movements and the evidence he carries.
- Methodical Planning: Soneji's attention to speed limits, his choice of rubber boots and gloves, and his pre-cut path to the farmhouse underscore his careful, almost obsessive planning.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the reader's understanding of Gary Soneji as a calculating and self-aware serial killer. It reveals his internal hierarchy of murderous achievement and his willingness to adapt to unexpected circumstances. The Chrome Barrens setting introduces a crucial location that may become significant later in the narrative. The double murder also raises the stakes, showing Soneji's escalation in violence and his compulsion to perfect his craft. For students and readers, this chapter is pivotal for tracking the protagonist's psychological trajectory and the investigation's potential leads.
Study Questions and Answers
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What is Soneji's motivation for not driving past the crime scene in Beltsville?
He considers it a rookie move and wants to maintain the meticulous follow-through that made his previous murder near perfect. He wants to avoid attracting police attention. -
Why does Soneji decide to leave the Chrome Barrens for another day but then pushes on?
Initially he debates leaving because of the police and fire vehicles present for the controlled burn. He decides to push on when he sees a dirt road that allows him to park well short of the authorities, believing the smoke will provide extra concealment. -
What does Soneji take from his trunk before hiking into the woods, and why are these items important?
He takes knee-high rubber boots, latex gloves, and a hiking pack. The boots and gloves prevent leaving evidence like footprints or fingerprints, and the pack carries his tools. These items reflect his preparation to hide his identity and the murder evidence.