Chapter summaries We Solve Murders Richard Osman

We Solve Murders Chapter 97 (Chapter 95): The Mirror Trap and the Truth About Susan Knox

⚠️ 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

After shooting Jeff in the thigh, Amy ties a lemon sweatshirt around his wound as a tourniquet. She drags him not to a car but into Henk’s private den behind the boardroom mirror, allowing them to observe Susan Knox. Amy reveals she knew the traitor was either Jeff or Susan—not herself or Max. Susan, believing Jeff to be incapacitated, deletes personnel files and makes a phone call to François, discussing money and confirming Amy’s suspicions. Amy confronts Susan directly, using a call from Susan to maintain her cover. The chapter ends with Jeff acknowledging Amy’s cleverness, and Amy explaining why small gestures like Christmas presents could have prevented the betrayal.

KEY EVENTS

  • Amy applies a tourniquet to Jeff’s leg using a lemon sweatshirt, then forces him into the hidden den behind the mirror.
  • Through the one-way glass, Amy and Jeff watch Susan delete personnel files on her computer.
  • Susan makes a phone call to François, revealing she is the real mastermind—not Jeff.
  • Amy answers a call from Susan pretending to blame Jeff; Susan advises Amy to kill Jeff.
  • Amy explains her logic: by shooting Jeff, she forced Susan to act, revealing her guilt.
  • Jeff realizes Amy’s plan was a combination of logic (Steve) and chaos (Amy).
  • Amy points out that Susan’s salary of sixty grand couldn’t support a Hampstead house, and that Jeff never gave Christmas presents.
  • Jeff and Amy share a hug, with Jeff joking he will have to shoot her one day.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

  • Amy: Demonstrates ruthless pragmatism and strategic thinking. Her willingness to shoot a friend to expose a traitor shows her commitment to “Point Six: Act decisively.” She also shows empathy by ensuring Jeff receives medical care and by explaining her reasoning.
  • Jeff: Displays remarkable self-control by not screaming despite the pain. His trust in Amy deepens as he realizes her plan. The chapter reveals his social blindness—he never gave Susan a Christmas present, contributing to her resentment.
  • Susan Knox: Exposed as the true antagonist. Her calm deletion of files and cold recommendation to kill Jeff reveal a long-term manipulation. The phone call shows she has been fleecing Jeff for years, likely supplementing her income with François.
  • François (mentioned): Susan’s co-conspirator, contacted in a bar. He is reluctant about more killing but agrees for additional money.

THEMES, SYMBOLS, OR MOTIFS

  • The Mirror: The one-way mirror in Henk’s den symbolizes hidden truths and surveillance. Amy uses it to spy on Susan, turning Jeff’s own technology against him.
  • The Tourniquet: Amy’s lemon sweatshirt, used as a tourniquet, represents her rapid improvisation. It is a mundane object repurposed for survival, reflecting her resourcefulness.
  • Christmas Present Absence: Jeff’s failure to give Susan a Christmas gift symbolizes a wider theme of undervaluing loyal employees. Amy notes that small acts of appreciation might have prevented the betrayal, linking personal neglect to corporate corruption.
  • The Psychopath Test Scores: Susan and Jeff both scored 96, while Henk scored 12. This motif underscores that high scores do not guarantee loyalty; self-interest can override kinship among those with similar traits.

WHY THIS CHAPTER MATTERS

Chapter 97 is the climax of the reveal: Susan, the trusted HR head, is unmasked as the traitor. Amy’s gamble of shooting Jeff pays off, validating her blend of logic and chaos. The chapter also deepens the characterization of Jeff, who is shown as both socially inept and physically courageous. It sets up the final confrontation with Susan and François, and raises the stakes for the remaining characters. The emotional hug between Amy and Jeff humanizes their relationship ahead of the book’s conclusion.

STUDY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Why does Amy choose to shoot Jeff rather than Susan or someone else?
Amy needed to force the real traitor to act. By wounding Jeff (the only other suspect besides Susan), she created a situation where Susan would either call the police (proving Jeff guilty) or call Loubet (proving Susan guilty). Susan called François, exposing herself.

2. What clues did Amy use to suspect Susan before the shooting?
Amy noticed that Susan lived in Hampstead on a sixty-thousand-pound salary, which was financially impossible unless she was stealing. She also noted that Jeff never gave Susan a Christmas present, indicating a lack of appreciation that could breed resentment.

3. How does the chapter illustrate the theme of “acting decisively”?
Amy’s “Point Six” (Act decisively) is demonstrated when she shoots Jeff without certainty of his guilt. She prioritizes action over deliberation, trusting that the chaos will reveal the truth. This contrasts with traditional detective work and highlights Amy’s unique methodology.