Chapter 37 (Chapter 32): The Murder of Amber Keenan and a Startling Confession
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens in Litchfield, Connecticut, with the buzz of a cell phone. Garrett’s phone shows an incoming call from Detective Eddie O’Halloran. Garrett is clearly in pain from a rough night—his forehead wound has left blood on the pillow, and every movement causes him to groan. Despite his injuries, he sits up and puts the call on speaker, introducing his partner Brea Cooke to the detective.
O’Halloran delivers devastating news. A homicide detective in South Boston has contacted him about a murder that occurred late the previous night. A single mother was shot twice in the forehead. The victim’s driver’s license was from Virginia in the name of Lillian Brady. However, further investigation revealed a name change: Lillian Brady was actually Amber Keenan, the same woman Brea interviewed just yesterday about the Suzanne Bonanno case. A store clerk reported that one of the shooters called her by her real name, Amber, indicating she was deliberately targeted. Her two young children were waiting outside in the car when the killing took place.
Brea is struck with horror and guilt, wondering whether her visit to Amber led to her death. Garrett tries to rationalize that Amber may have stumbled into a robbery, but O’Halloran dismisses that theory. The killers were professionals—they wore masks, knew what they were doing, and even collected the ejected cartridges to eliminate evidence. This was an execution, not a random crime.
Brea then speaks up, admitting she met with Amber the previous day about the Bonanno case. O’Halloran asks if she got anything from Amber. Brea confirms she did, but not the full story; Amber was supposed to call her back today. O’Halloran grimly suggests it may no longer matter. He then delivers a second bombshell: someone has just confessed to the murder of Suzanne Bonanno.
Key Events
- Garrett is woken by a call from Detective O’Halloran.
- Brea and Garrett learn that Amber Keenan (using the alias Lillian Brady) was murdered the previous night.
- The killers were professional hitmen who waited for her and removed all shell casings.
- Amber’s two children were in the car during the murder.
- Brea reveals she interviewed Amber about the Suzanne Bonanno case the day before.
- O’Halloran announces that an unidentified person has confessed to Suzanne Bonanno’s murder.
Character Development
- Brea Cooke: Brea’s guilt and anguish are front and center. She immediately blames herself for Amber’s death, believing that her interview may have alerted the wrong people to Amber’s connection to the Bonanno case. This moment deepens her sense of responsibility and personal risk.
- Garrett: Despite his own physical pain, Garrett remains sharp and analytical. He tries to offer alternative explanations and uses reporter instincts to question O’Halloran. His loyalty to Brea is clear—he insists she be included on the call and supports her when she speaks up.
- Detective Eddie O’Halloran: O’Halloran is direct and reveals information in stages, showing his ties to the Boston police network. He treats both Brea and Garrett as credible partners, even as he shares a major development in the Bonanno case.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Professional Hit: The killers’ behavior—masks, eliminating cartridge casings, targeting a specific person—reinforces the motif of a cold, calculated underworld. This contrasts with earlier, more chaotic violence in the story.
- Retaliation: Amber’s murder appears to be direct retaliation for her potential cooperation with Brea. The chapter underscores the danger of investigating powerful people.
- Guilt and Responsibility: Brea’s internal scream and clutching of the blanket illustrate how sudden tragedy forces a character to question their own actions. Her guilt becomes a driving emotional force.
- Children as Innocent Victims: The image of Amber’s two children waiting in the car while their mother is killed heightens the emotional stakes and reinforces the theme of collateral damage.
- The Confession: O’Halloran’s final line that someone has confessed to Suzanne Bonanno’s murder is a major motif of revelation. It suggests either a scapegoat or a genuine breakthrough, adding a layer of uncertainty.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the investigation. Amber Keenan’s death confirms that the Bonanno case reaches deep into organized crime. The professional nature of the killing raises the stakes for Brea and Garrett, who are now directly connected to a murder. Brea’s guilt personalizes the case and sets up a revenge or justice arc. The confession at the end is a classic mystery twist—providing an answer while raising new questions. It also puts pressure on the protagonists: if the confession is false, the real killer remains free; if true, why is it happening now, right after Amber’s murder? The chapter tightens the narrative tension and propels the story toward its climax.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Brea react when she learns Amber has been murdered?
Brea is horrified and immediately blames herself. She wonders if her interview with Amber the previous day placed Amber in danger and led to her death. Her physical reaction—screaming inwardly and clutching a blanket—shows the intense guilt and shock she feels.
2. What evidence suggests the killers were professionals rather than random robbers?
O’Halloran reports that the killers wore masks, were waiting for Amber specifically (the clerk said they called her by name), and took the ejected cartridge casings with them. These actions indicate a planned execution by experienced criminals, not a botched robbery.
3. Why is the news of a confession to Suzanne Bonanno’s murder especially significant at this point?
The confession comes immediately after Amber’s murder, creating a suspicious timeline. It could be a genuine break in the case, or it could be a cover-up to protect the real killer, possibly the same people who ordered the hit on Amber. Brea and Garrett now have both a witness murder and a sudden confession to evaluate.