74 pages • 2 hours read
Marble Hall Murders
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Chapters 32-41Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section contains discussions of death, graphic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, substance use, addiction, child death, death by suicide, and racism.
Chapter 32 Summary: “The Second Anagram”
Susan isn’t sure what Eliot’s cliffhanger about the shoe polish means, but Eliot’s writing is strong. If Elmer is the murderer, it will ruin the end of the novel. She wonders if readers will enjoy the details about the war and if the details about the setting are accurate. Eliot left his number on the envelope of the manuscript. When Susan calls, Gillian answers. Gillian admits that she and Eliot argued. He hit her and then left. Susan says she’s coming over.
During the drive, Susan calls Elaine and tells her what happened. Elaine says she will meet Susan. Gillian and Eliot live in Eliot’s parents’ house. Elaine meets Susan at the door and tells her that Gillian is bruised and pregnant. After seeing Gillian, Susan suggests she call a doctor, but Gillian refuses. Gillian explains that Eliot hit her after he found out she was pregnant. She makes excuses for Eliot’s behavior, citing how cruel Miriam was to him.
Eliot thinks Roland betrayed him and Julia by working for the estate. Gillian asserts that Eliot is still using substances. These behaviors alienated him from his parents, so they don’t visit often. Gillian admits that she had an affair that resulted in her pregnancy; Eliot experiences fertility challenges.
