We Solve Murders: Chapter 90 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
Steve, posing as a scented-candle businessman from Ormskirk, strikes up a conversation in a sauna with Mickey Moody, a retired scrap dealer and golf partner of Rob Kenna. Mickey shares his philosophy of avoiding questions about others’ dealings, noting that people around Dubai come and go—some end up dead. He admits he talks to his deceased wife, as does Steve. During their exchange, Steve realizes that the name François Loubet connects to a crucial insight. He now knows what has happened and looks forward to sharing this with Rosie and Amy.
Key Events
- Steve enters a sauna to engineer an encounter with Mickey Moody, a man who played golf with Rob Kenna.
- Mickey recounts his career in scrap metal, where he learned never to ask about clients’ suspicious transactions.
- Mickey lists former golf partners who met violent ends: Big Frank (found dead in Colombia), Gomez (in a car boot), and Davey (never found).
- Both men reveal they are widowers who still talk to their deceased wives.
- Steve’s internal realisation: François Loubet is the missing piece—he now understands the crime.
- Steve removes his shoes and socks in the sauna as a gesture of celebration.
Character Development
Steve demonstrates resourcefulness and adaptability by entering an unfamiliar environment and crafting a credible undercover persona. His quick thinking in inventing the scented-candle business shows improvisation honed by experience. The chapter also deepens Steve’s emotional life: he continues to converse with his late wife Debbie, revealing a private grief that he shares only with other widowers.
Mickey Moody emerges as a cautious, principled survivor. His refusal to engage with the shady economy around Dubai, despite past temptations, underscores a moral code rooted in his grandmothers’ upbringing. His openness about talking to his deceased wife humanises him and builds unexpected rapport with Steve.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Grief and communication with the dead. Both Steve and Mickey speak to their wives as if they are still present. This motif provides comfort and, for Steve, moments of clarity—Debbie’s imagined voice helps him solve the mystery.
The cost of looking the other way. Mickey’s anecdotes about departed golf partners illustrate the fate of those who become entangled in Dubai’s underworld. His survival strategy—asking no questions—highlights a moral compromise that keeps him safe but leaves him complicit by omission.
Appearance versus reality. Steve’s scented-candle cover story, his ill-fitting sauna attire, and his fake location (Ormskirk) all contrast with the grim truths he uncovers. The sauna itself, a place of cleansing, becomes a setting for peeling back layers of deception.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 90 marks a turning point in Steve’s investigation. The casual conversation with Mickey provides the missing link: Steve identifies François Loubet as the key to the puzzle. This breakthrough sets up the next phase of the plot, where Steve must collaborate with Rosie and Amy to act on his new knowledge. The chapter also deepens Steve’s character, showing how his personal loss fuels his investigative instincts.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Mickey Moody reveal about the fate of his former golf partners, and what does this imply about Dubai’s environment?
Mickey mentions three men: Big Frank, Gomez, and Davey—all died violently under suspicious circumstances. This implies that many residents in Dubai are involved in illicit activities and that the setting is dangerous despite its glamorous appearance.
2. How does Steve’s invented background (scented candles, Ormskirk) help him connect with Mickey?
The whimsical cover story makes Steve seem harmless and non-threatening. Mickey respects that Steve claims to run a legitimate business, mirroring his own philosophy of avoiding illegal dealings. This shared value builds trust, allowing Steve to steer the conversation toward Rob Kenna.
3. What realisation does Steve have at the end of the chapter, and what triggers it?
Steve realises that François Loubet is the person behind the mystery—the “clever bugger” Debbie’s voice praises him for recognising the name. The trigger is Mickey’s mention of talking to his wife, which normalises Steve’s own internal dialogue and frees his mind to make the connection.