Chapter summaries We Solve Murders Richard Osman

We Solve Murders Chapter 84 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

Adam confirms he flew over on Tuesday, and Steve asks about the plane. The two men sit awkwardly, avoiding the silence that has grown between them over the years. Adam suggests they talk about the murders instead of small talk. Steve reveals that Rob Kenna is trying to kill Amy, hired by François Loubet. Steve saw Kenna at a golf club wearing sunglasses indoors but did not speak to him. He admits he doesn’t yet know who Loubet really is. After more strained silence, Adam says goodnight. Steve unexpectedly brings up dinosaurs, recalling that Adam’s favourite was Stegosaurus. Adam acknowledges that and adds Diplodocus. Steve then asks what one wears in a sauna; Adam says only a towel. They part without hugging.

Key Events

  • Adam confirms he arrived by plane, and Steve comments it was better than a long boat ride.
  • Both men struggle to make conversation; Adam proposes discussing the murders.
  • Steve explains that Rob Kenna (a DJ) is the hitman hired by François Loubet to kill Amy.
  • Steve recounts spotting Kenna at a golf club but choosing not to confront him there.
  • After a pause, Adam prepares to go to bed, avoiding a physical goodbye.
  • Steve calls out “Stegosaurus” to break the tension, leading to a brief dinosaur exchange.
  • Steve’s final question is about proper sauna attire; Adam replies that only a towel is worn.

Character Development

  • Steve is revealed as deeply uncomfortable with emotional intimacy, especially with his son. His attempt to bond through the murder case and then through dinosaurs shows a man desperate for connection but unsure how to achieve it. The sauna question underscores his awkwardness.
  • Adam mirrors his father’s reticence. He is willing to talk about the murders—a safe, external topic—but also retreats to “hit the hay” when conversation stalls. His small smile and nod indicate he shares his father’s longing.
  • Amy is not present but remains the central figure in the investigation, with Kenna actively hunting her.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Father-son communication: The chapter’s core. Steve and Adam’s stilted dialogue illustrates years of unspoken emotions. They default to logistics (the loo, water pressure) before Adam forces the murder topic, which serves as a proxy for real connection.
  • Dinosaurs as shared past: The sudden mention of Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and Diplodocus symbolises Adam’s childhood—a time when communication was easier. The exchange is tender but brief, suggesting that only fragments of their bond survive.
  • Vulnerability and masculinity: Both men avoid hugs and use salutes to maintain distance. Steve’s internal thought about Debbie (likely Adam’s mother) hints at a deeper pain they never address. The sauna question, asked after the dinosaur moment, is a nervous attempt to keep talking.

Why This Chapter Matters

This quiet, domestic scene is a rare pause from the thriller plot, deepening our understanding of Steve’s character. His awkwardness with Adam humanises him beyond the ex-soldier stereotype. The chapter also provides key investigative facts: Rob Kenna is confirmed as the assassin, Loubet remains shadowy, and Steve is tracking Kenna through the golf club lead. The dinosaur callback emotionally anchors the story, reminding readers that the stakes are not just life-or-death but also the fragile bonds between people.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Adam suggest talking about the murders rather than continuing with small talk?
Adam sees the murder discussion as a safer, more interesting topic than forced pleasantries about the loo or water pressure. It also shows he cares about Amy’s safety, even though he doesn’t say so directly. The murders give them a concrete subject that avoids the emotional canyon between them.

2. What does the dinosaur exchange reveal about Steve and Adam’s relationship?
The sudden call of “Stegosaurus” is Steve’s raw attempt to revisit a time when father and son had an easy connection. Adam’s willingness to list favourite dinosaurs shows he still carries that memory. The moment is fragile yet genuine, proving that love exists beneath years of silence.

3. Why does Steve ask about sauna attire immediately after the dinosaur moment?
Steve is trying desperately to prolong the conversation but reverts to an awkward, practical question. It underscores his social clumsiness and fear of emotional depth. The irony—asking about nudity in a sauna—mirrors the naked vulnerability he is avoiding with his son.

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