The Color of Death Chapter 70 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
JD sits in a corner booth at The Junction, observing a seemingly happy Colm finishing a conversation with waitress Belle. As Belle returns to work and Colm heads to the courthouse, JD mutters about not letting Colm die. She tears the King of Hearts playing card in half—calling it the "Suicide King"—then draws a noose on the Queen of Hearts using a pen. JD tells herself that Colm will never be able to stop what is coming next. When Belle approaches and introduces herself, JD gives a false name, "Jane," but adds that her friends call her "JD."
Key Events
- JD watches Colm and Belle from a corner booth at The Junction during breakfast.
- Colm departs for the courthouse, basking in his recent victory.
- JD picks up a knife, opens a new deck of playing cards, and tears the King of Hearts in half.
- JD draws a noose around the Queen of Hearts on the card, muttering about Colm's inability to stop her plans.
- JD introduces herself to the waitress as "Jane," but adds that her friends call her "JD."
Character Development
- JD (Jane Doe): This chapter deepens JD's obsessive, vengeful nature. She cannot tolerate Colm's happiness after his legal victory. Her deliberate mutilation of playing cards reveals a methodical, symbolic mind—she sees cards as representations of real people. The false identity she offers Belle shows her comfort with deception and perhaps a long-term plan.
- Colm: Though absent from the scene, Colm’s triumphant mood is described through JD's hostile observations. His emotional recovery after guilt and grief angers JD, making him a primary target.
- Belle: A minor character, the waitress serves as an unwitting witness. Her brief interaction with JD underscores the unsettling normalcy that surrounds JD's schemes.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Playing Cards as Symbols of Fate: The King of Hearts (commonly called the "Suicide King" because of a traditional card-design quirk) is torn in half, suggesting JD’s desire to destroy Colm. The Queen of Hearts, defaced with a noose, foreshadows a direct threat to a female character—likely Kate.
- The Menace of the Ordinary: A quiet diner at breakfast becomes the stage for JD’s plotting. The contrast between the cheerful setting and JD’s violent handling of objects creates a chilling atmosphere of concealed danger.
- Vengeance and Obsession: JD cannot abide Colm’s return to happiness. Her muttered line, “Maybe I should have let him die,” confirms that she actively regrets any mercy shown earlier. She is fully committed to escalating her campaign.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 70 shifts focus squarely onto JD, revealing her current state of mind and immediate plans. The playing-card sequence is a vivid piece of foreshadowing: the torn King of Hearts signals JD’s intent to undo Colm, while the noose on the Queen hints at harm coming to someone he loves. The chapter also establishes JD’s willingness to use a false identity, setting the stage for more direct confrontations. It is a tense, compact bridge between legal victories and the personal war that JD is determined to continue.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does JD tear the King of Hearts in half, and what does the "Suicide King" reference mean?
JD is frustrated that Colm survived and is now happy. In traditional card decks, the King of Hearts appears to be stabbing himself in the head, which players have long called the "Suicide King." By tearing it, JD symbolically enacts the death she wanted for Colm and regrets not achieving. -
What is the purpose of drawing a noose on the Queen of Hearts?
The Queen of Hearts likely represents Kate, Colm’s love interest. The noose is a direct death threat. The defacement indicates that JD’s vengeance will not stop at Colm but will extend to those he cares about. -
Why does JD give a false name ("Jane") to Belle while revealing her nickname ("JD")?
The dual identity allows JD to remain anonymous to the waitress while still indulging her own persona. It demonstrates her comfort with lying and suggests she may be testing how she can blend into the community while hiding her true intentions.