Chapter summaries The Killing Stones Ann Cleeves

Chapter Thirty-Two – The Killing Stones: 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

Back in Harray, Willow Reeve cannot settle. She returns a call from Jimmy Perez, updating him on her North Ronaldsay visit and her hunch that Nat Wilkinson did not kill his father. Perez shares that all the crime scenes were locations from Tony Johnson’s TV programme. Willow then speaks to Ellie about the ongoing search for Barbara Johnson, with no success. Just as Willow prepares to drive south, Nat Wilkinson appears at her door. He explains that he rushed from Westray to Kirkwall to support a recovering-addict friend who was at risk of relapse. Nat mentions seeing the Johnsons on the ferry: Tony was angry and domineering, while Barbara seemed subdued and scared. He overheard Tony say he would “make everything right again.” After Nat leaves, Willow takes a meandering drive through Deerness and across the Churchill Barriers, enjoying the scenery despite feeling guilty about another death. At St Margaret’s Hope pier, she spots the Johnsons’ blue VW parked, but Barbara is still inside, crying. Willow taps on the window and gets in.

Key Events

  • Willow phones Perez from Harray and recounts her North Ronaldsay questioning of Mima and Nat Wilkinson. She shares her theory that Nat is not guilty.
  • Perez reveals that every murder scene matches a location from Johnson’s TV show.
  • Nat Wilkinson visits Willow at home, explaining he came to Kirkwall to help a fellow recovering addict. He describes seeing the Johnsons on the ferry: Tony was aggressive, Barbara fearful.
  • Willow drives south via scenic back roads, reflecting on freedom and guilt.
  • At the South Ronaldsay ferry terminal, Willow spots the Johnsons’ abandoned car and finds Barbara Johnson inside, weeping.

Character Development

  • Willow Reeve – Torn between professional urgency and personal pleasure. She indulges in a leisurely drive despite the gravity of the case, acknowledging her need for space to think. She also shows empathy toward Nat, allowing him to explain himself without formal pressure.
  • Nat Wilkinson – Presents himself as a responsible friend in recovery. His explanation for leaving Westray appears sincere and aligns with his past addiction. He remains cautious of police stations but willingly speaks to Willow.
  • Barbara Johnson – Though absent for most of the chapter, her final appearance in tears suggests vulnerability and possible victimhood, not cold-blooded flight.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Evidenced Here

  • Recovery and Addiction – Nat’s story reinforces the challenge of maintaining sobriety and the importance of mutual support. The fellowship network is presented as a lifeline.
  • Isolation and Landscape – Willow’s drive across empty Orkney roads symbolises both physical and mental space. The vast, layered views reflect the complexity of the investigation. The Churchill Barriers and the ferry represent thresholds between capture and escape.
  • Guilt and Pleasure – Willow experiences guilt for enjoying the drive while a case remains unsolved, highlighting the tension between duty and human need.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter advances the investigation by eliminating Nat Wilkinson as a primary suspect – his alibi appears solid – and by shifting suspicion toward Barbara Johnson. Her location at the ferry terminal suggests she was planning to flee, yet her emotional state indicates she may be a victim rather than a perpetrator. The chapter also deepens Willow’s internal conflict and sets up a direct confrontation with Barbara in the next scene.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. What does Nat Wilkinson’s explanation for his trip to Kirkwall reveal about his character?
    Nat shows himself to be a responsible friend willing to travel across islands to support another addict at risk of relapse. His reluctance to go to the police station stems from past trauma, but he still volunteers information to Willow, suggesting honesty.

  2. Why does Willow take a scenic route rather than driving directly to the ferry terminal?
    Willow deliberately delays the direct route because she craves the freedom to think without pressure. The drive provides mental clarity, even though she later regrets not arriving earlier to intercept Barbara.

  3. What does the discovery of Barbara Johnson’s car with her crying inside imply about her role in the murders?
    Barbara’s abandoned vehicle and her tearful state suggest she is not a confident fugitive but a frightened woman. This contradicts the earlier assumption that she and Tony fled together; it now seems she may have been coerced or is acting alone out of desperation.

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