The Impossible Fortune Chapter 36 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
Danny meets a hitman at a beachfront restaurant in Playa de Bahínas after arriving by jet-ski. While eating a lukewarm burger, Danny recounts a story about a past hitman named Callum. Callum was hired to kill three Albanian brothers – an accountant, a cage fighter, and a certifiable maniac – but failed to eliminate the maniac first. The surviving brother captured and dismembered Callum, sending his remains to his parents. Danny uses this cautionary tale to explain why the order of his own killings matters. He instructs the hitman to target Jason Ritchie first, then Suzi. The hitman will use an Amazon delivery as a cover to gain access to Jason’s house. Danny pays the hitman £10,000 and promises another £20,000 on Wednesday. After the murders, Danny plans to return home, act as the grieving husband, sell the house, and travel abroad to broaden his horizons.
Key Events
- Danny arrives at the beach restaurant by jet-ski and orders a burger.
- He shares a detailed anecdote about a hitman named Callum who killed two Albanian brothers but was killed by the third because he didn’t kill the maniac first.
- Danny explicitly applies the lesson: “kill the most dangerous first” – so Jason Ritchie must die before Suzi.
- The hitman agrees to use an Amazon delivery to gain entry to Jason’s home.
- Danny hands over an envelope with £10,000 as a down payment.
- The hitman confirms the timeline: murder tomorrow, then Suzi after the school run at 3 p.m.
- Danny envisions his life after the killings: feigning grief, selling the house, leaving the boy with his grandad, and traveling.
Character Development
Danny – In this chapter, Danny reveals a cold, calculating side previously only hinted at. He studies the mistakes of others (Callum) and applies them ruthlessly to his own plan. His detachment is clear when he casually orders a burger while contracting a double murder. His future plans—selling the house and traveling—show he feels no emotional attachment to Suzi or the life they shared. Danny views himself as a pragmatist, not a villain.
The Hitman – Though unnamed, the hitman is portrayed as efficient and professional. He questions no details, checks his watch, and accepts the job without hesitation. His dry comment, “Don’t Callum it,” shows he knows the same cautionary tale and shares Danny’s understanding of the importance of order.
Callum – Appears only in the flashback but serves as a moral fable. His failure to prioritize targets cost him his life and his body was mutilated. He is a warning against overconfidence and poor planning in the criminal world.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Order of Killing – The central theme: when targeting multiple people, the sequence matters. Danny explicitly argues that the most dangerous target must die first to prevent retaliation. The contrast between Callum’s mistake and Danny’s careful ordering highlights the cold logic behind murder-for-hire.
Modern Crime and Everyday Tools – The hitman’s plan to use an Amazon delivery as cover symbolizes how contemporary life provides new opportunities for crime. Everyone expects packages, making the home accessible without suspicion. This motif recurs with the Albanian brothers using Facebook – both cases involve criminals exploiting ordinary technology.
Detachment and Distance – Danny eats a burger, discusses killings, and plans a vacation all in the same scene. His emotional distance is reinforced by his physical distance from England (jet-ski, beach setting) and his intention to “broaden his horizons” immediately after the murders.
Mistakes as Lessons – Callum’s failure is treated as a business case study. Danny and the hitman both understand the lesson without pity. This motif suggests that in the criminal underworld, errors are not forgiven but studied and avoided.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 36 marks a pivotal escalation in the plot. Danny moves from abstract scheming to concrete action, hiring a hitman and establishing a timeline. The chapter positions Danny as an active antagonist willing to kill two people to achieve his goals. His reflection on Callum’s story adds depth to his character, showing he learns from others’ fatal errors. The use of modern methods (Amazon delivery) grounds the thriller in a recognizable reality. This chapter also raises stakes: the reader now knows the specific plan, creating tension about whether it will succeed or fail. Danny’s future plans hint at a possible escape, leaving the boy with his grandad – a detail that may become significant later.
Study Questions and Answers
-
Why does Danny insist that Jason Ritchie be killed before Suzi?
Danny draws a parallel to Callum’s mistake. Callum killed two less dangerous brothers first, which allowed the maniac to learn of the deaths and prepare a trap. Killing Jason first eliminates the more dangerous target while Suzi remains unaware. If Suzi were killed first, Jason might become suspicious and retaliate or flee. -
What does the Amazon delivery cover reveal about the nature of modern crime?
The hitman remarks that Amazon deliveries have been the single greatest boon for professional hitmen because everyone expects packages. This shows how routine services are repurposed for criminal ends. It reflects a theme of mundanity meeting violence – the mundane task of signing for a package becomes a deadly facade. -
How does Danny’s plan after the murders characterize him?
Danny’s plan to play the grieving widower, sell the house, leave the boy with his grandad, and travel demonstrates his complete emotional detachment. He views the murders as a business transaction, not a personal tragedy. His desire to “see a bit of the world” suggests he feels no remorse and is already moving on mentally.