Chapter summaries The Killing Stones Ann Cleeves

Chapter Sixteen – Carol Service and New Sighting

⚠️ 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

Willow decides to keep her son James at home for the day, giving Perez space to lead the investigation. She listens to Radio Orkney, learns that the cold spell is the longest in years and that a blizzard in central Scotland will delay the Glasgow team. While baking gingerbread men with James, she reflects on Archie Stout’s character, Rosalie’s evidence, and Vaila’s jealousy. Phil Bain calls with progress: many Westray islanders have left for the carol service in Kirkwall. Bain reports that teacher Fiona saw George Riley’s car outside the Pierowall Hotel on the evening of Archie’s disappearance, and that the light was on in the heritage centre. Willow decides to attend the carol service with James. There she spots Rosalie Greeman in the crowd and later meets Barbara and Tony Johnson, who claim to have been at the service. After the service, Willow discovers she has missed several calls from Perez, suggesting a new development.

Key Events

  • Willow keeps James home and bakes gingerbread men while reviewing the case.
  • Phil Bain reports that many islanders have left Westray for the St Magnus Cathedral carol service, including hotel residents Godfrey Lansdown and the Johnsons.
  • Teacher Fiona tells Bain she saw George Riley’s car outside the Pierowall Hotel around 8:30 pm – the same time Riley returned to Nat’s.
  • The light was on in the heritage centre that evening, possibly Riley’s doing.
  • Willow takes James to the carol service in Kirkwall.
  • During the service she notices Rosalie Greeman in the crowd and later speaks with Barbara and Tony Johnson outside.
  • After the service, Willow finds multiple missed calls from Perez, hinting at important news.

Character Development

  • Willow Reeves: Juggles single-parent duties with investigative focus. Her reflections on Archie’s attitude toward women and his commitment to Westray reveal her sharp judgment. At the cathedral she experiences a moment of quiet awe, showing a more reflective side.
  • Phil Bain: Efficiently gathers intelligence despite feeling dismissed by some islanders. His report demonstrates he is a capable, if undervalued, officer.
  • George Riley: Remains an ambiguous figure. The sighting of his car near the hotel and the lit heritage centre adds to suspicion, while his refusal to meet Perez on standard terms suggests evasiveness.
  • Rosalie Greeman: Makes a brief appearance in Kirkwall; her presence away from Westray suggests she is not confined to the island.
  • Barbara and Tony Johnson: Encountered outside the cathedral; they claim to have been at the service (at the back), which Willow finds untrustworthy – she cannot pinpoint why she dislikes them.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The Carol Service as Community Ritual: The cathedral service brings together islanders and visitors, creating an atmosphere of shared tradition. Willow is moved despite her lack of religious faith, highlighting the power of communal storytelling and hope for the return of light – mirroring the story of Olaf mentioned earlier.
  • Light and Darkness: The long cold spell, the early dusk, the glowing sandstone of St Magnus, and the lit heritage centre all echo the tension between concealment and revelation in the investigation.
  • Motherhood and Domesticity: Willow’s struggle to emulate the “perfect mother” from magazines contrasts with her reality; she eventually accepts that quieting James with a phone video is a legitimate contemporary parenting choice.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter provides a crucial new piece of evidence: George Riley was indeed near the Pierowall Hotel at the time of Archie’s disappearance, and the heritage centre light was on – suggesting he may have returned to retrieve the story stones. Willow’s attendance at the carol service also places her in proximity to several suspects (Rosalie, the Johnsons) and underscores the close-knit nature of island life. The missed calls from Perez at the end create a cliffhanger, promising that Riley may have just provided key information.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Willow decide to keep James home instead of going to the station?
She wants to give Perez space to run the investigation without her oversight, and she also wishes to try creating a festive domestic atmosphere – baking and decorating – as a contrast to her usual role.

2. What new information does Phil Bain report about the night Archie died?
Teacher Fiona saw George Riley’s car outside the Pierowall Hotel at about 8:30 pm. She also noticed the light was on in the heritage centre earlier that evening. This suggests Riley may have gone back there after dropping off the key.

3. Why is Willow’s dislike of the Johnsons significant?
Although she cannot explain it, her distrust of Barbara and Tony Johnson – and their claim to have been at the back of the cathedral service – hints that they may be hiding something. The feeling is instinctive but may prove important as the investigation unfolds.

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