Grace Konners: A Mother’s Twisted Love and the Birth of a Serial Killer

Overview

Grace Konners is the hidden antagonist of Harlan Coben’s Think Twice (Myron Bolitar #12). On the surface, she is the devoted mother of Bo (Brian) Konners and former wife of Spark Konners, living quietly under an alias. In truth, she is the Setup Serial Killer—a meticulous killer who frames innocent people for murders she commits. Her driving motive is the protection of her son Bo, but that maternal instinct curdles into a lust for power, control, and the godlike rush of taking life. Grace’s actions set the entire plot in motion, from the framing of Joey Turant to the deadly trap that nearly kills Myron Bolitar.

Plot Role

Grace is the architect of the central mystery. The prologue shows an unnamed killer describing how to frame an innocent man; by the novel’s end, that killer is revealed to be Grace. She:

• Murdered Jordan Kravat to stop his abuse of Bo, then framed mobster Joey Turant.
• Partnered with Greg Downing (her lover) to commit several more murders, always leaving planted evidence that pointed to another.
• Killed Cecelia Callister and her son Clay, planting Greg’s DNA to frame him.
• Attempted to kill Myron Bolitar in Central Park to protect her identity.
• Was shot and killed by Greg Downing when she turned her gun on Jeremy (Greg’s son).

Grace is the force that drives the investigation; every clue leads back to her carefully constructed web of deception.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Grace’s primary motivation is maternal protection. Jordan Kravat was “tormenting and destroying the life of her son” (Evidence 45). Her first murder is not born of psychopathy but of desperation. However, after that kill, she discovers a taste for the power. The novel makes clear that she and Greg “crossed a line” and that killing became a “high … like being a god” (Evidence 46).

Her defining traits include:

• Cunning and patience – She spends six weeks surveilling her targets, learning their routines, before striking.
• Master of disguise – Myron initially fails to recognize her because she changes hair color, clothing, and posture (Evidence 15).
• Manipulative – She deceives Myron, the FBI, and even her own sons about her true nature.
• Violent when cornered – She shoots Myron without hesitation and would have killed Jeremy had Greg not stopped her.
• Emotionally detached – She feels “emptiness” after a kill, yet continues, indicating a lack of remorse.

The FBI profile notes signs of childhood abuse and possible animal cruelty, but the novel does not treat this as an excuse—it is context for her pathology.

Chronological Arc

Before the novel – Grace’s son Bo is addicted to drugs and pimped out by Jordan Kravat. Grace and Greg decide to kill Jordan and frame Joey Turant. This is her first murder.

Years of killing – Grace and Greg travel, selecting victims they can kill and frame with little connection to themselves. They average about one murder per year.

Callister murder – To “up her game,” Grace plants Greg’s DNA at the scene, intending to frame him and take the money she and Greg controlled. This act unravels the perfect scheme.

During the novel – Grace hides under an alias, but Myron finds her. When Bo is captured by Turant’s men, she blames Myron. She ultimately tries to kill Myron in Central Park.

Death – Greg shoots her to protect Jeremy. Win’s summary confirms she acted alone in many killings, though Greg participated in others.

Relationships

• Bo Konners – Grace’s son. She kills Jordan to protect him, then coerces Bo into falsely testifying against Turant. Their relationship is toxic; Bo later admits his mother physically abused him.
• Greg Downing – Her lover and partner in murder. They share a “chemical reaction,” but Greg ultimately kills her when she threatens his son Jeremy. The relationship is one of mutual obsession and betrayal.
• Myron Bolitar – Adversary. Myron is the detective who uncovers the truth. Grace tries to kill him and nearly succeeds.
• Jeremy Downing – Greg’s son. Grace attempts to kill him in the park, prompting Greg to shoot her.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Theme and Symbol Connections

• Framing and Deception – Grace embodies the theme of disguise. She literally changes her appearance and manipulates evidence to make others appear guilty. Her entire life is a mask.
• Family Bonds and Sacrifice – Her motivation is twisted family loyalty. She kills for Bo, but that love becomes possessive and violent. The novel questions how far a parent should go.
• Justice vs. Vengeance – Grace takes justice into her own hands, killing Jordan instead of reporting him. The line between justified act and cold-blooded murder blurs.
• Identity and Disguise – Grace uses multiple aliases, wigs, and even alters her son’s identity (Bo becomes “Stevie”). She is a symbol of how identity can be manufactured.
• Moral Complicity – Greg becomes complicit in her murders, and even Myron struggles with whether he sacrificed Bo for a greater good. Grace forces everyone around her to confront moral gray areas.

For deeper exploration of these themes, see our pages on Themes and Framing and Deception.

5 Book-Specific Questions About Grace Konners

1. Why did Grace kill Jordan Kravat?
Grace killed Jordan Kravat to stop him from abusing and pimping out her son Bo. It was not part of a murder spree; it was a mother’s desperate act. Only afterward did she realize she could also frame Joey Turant.

2. How did Grace avoid detection for so long?
She killed people who had easy suspects in their lives—abusive partners, rival family members—and then planted evidence that led police to those suspects. Because each case was quickly “solved,” no pattern emerged for years (Evidence 24).

3. Was Greg Downing a willing partner or a victim?
Greg was a willing partner. He admits they killed together and planned the frames as a team, though he claims the “killing nature” died with Grace. The FBI debated whether he knew about her solo murders, but the novel suggests he was complicit (Evidence 45, 46).

4. Why did Grace try to kill Myron in Central Park?
Myron had obtained a photo of Grace on his phone—proof of her identity. She needed to eliminate him to keep her secret safe. She also saw him as responsible for her son Bo’s kidnapping.

5. What was Grace’s final fate?
Grace was shot twice by Greg Downing in Central Park after she fired at Jeremy. She died on the scene, ending the Setup Serial Killer’s reign (Evidence 43, 44).

For Further Reading

• Full Book Summary
• Ending Explained
• Questions and Answers