We Solve Murders – Chapter 24 (Chapter 22) Summary & 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
Amy Wheeler, ignoring Rosie D’Antonio’s pointed remark that another body has appeared near her, examines the locked computer of the newly deceased Justin Scroggie. Rosie cuts the corpse down using a ceremonial sword and, with Amy, drags the heavy body onto an office chair. Amy wipes blood from Scroggie’s index finger and attempts a fingerprint scan, which fails. The pair then prop open Scroggie’s swollen eye, and Amy swivels the chair so the eye faces the camera. The iris recognition succeeds, unlocking the computer. Rosie quips about using the trick in her next book, The Corpse Hacker.
Key Events
- Rosie sarcastically notes that Amy is once again near a dead body.
- Amy instructs Rosie to cut Justin Scroggie down from the ceiling.
- The two women drag Scroggie’s corpse onto an office chair.
- Amy cleans Scroggie’s finger and tries his fingerprint on the keyboard sensor – it does not work.
- After struggling with the swollen eyelids, Rosie helps hold one eye open.
- Amy positions the chair so the dead man’s eye is in front of the camera, and the computer unlocks via iris recognition.
- Rosie suggests the method as a plot device for her novel The Corpse Hacker.
Character Development
- Amy Wheeler: Demonstrates cold pragmatism and single-minded focus. She ignores Rosie’s barbs and moves quickly to exploit Scroggie’s body for information. Her technical ingenuity (attempting fingerprint and iris unlock) shows adaptability under pressure.
- Rosie D’Antonio: Displays both dark humour and competence. She complains but willingly helps move a corpse, uses her expensive wipes, and even assists with the difficult task of opening Scroggie’s eye. Her writer’s mind immediately transforms the experience into potential fiction.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Resourcefulness in Crisis: The chapter centres on Amy and Rosie using whatever is at hand – a ceremonial sword, expensive wipes, a dead man’s biometrics – to achieve a goal. Their teamwork contrasts with the grim setting.
- Dark Humour as Coping Mechanism: Rosie’s running commentary (“Teamwork makes the dream work,” “I’ve done worse”) and her literary reference lighten the macabre task. This humour reflects a motif throughout the novel where characters treat violence and death with a wry detachment.
- Technology and Mortality: The computer’s iris recognition reads a dead eye, blurring the line between living identity and forensic evidence. The success of the unlock emphasises how digital security can be breached through the physical remains of a person.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point: Amy gains access to Scroggie’s computer, which likely contains crucial information about the murders. It also deepens the partnership between Amy and Rosie, showing they can work effectively together under grotesque circumstances. The episode cements the novel’s tonal blend of thriller and comedy and raises the stakes for what Amy will find on the unlocked device.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Rosie initially resist helping Amy with the body?
Rosie complains because she perceives Amy as magnetically drawn to trouble (“Another dead body, and look who’s nearby? You”). However, her resistance is performative; she quickly assists, revealing that her loyalty and curiosity outweigh her reluctance.
2. What does the failed fingerprint attempt suggest about Scroggie?
He likely did not use fingerprint authentication, perhaps because of his profession or habits. The need for iris recognition implies he prioritised security or had a reason to protect his data carefully.
3. How does the author use humour to offset the horror of handling a corpse?
Rosie’s casual remarks (“I’ve done worse,” “Teamwork makes the dream work”) and the absurdity of propping open a dead man’s eye create a comic tone. The contrast between the violent act and the characters’ matter-of-fact dialogue sustains the novel’s distinctive voice.