The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

Most of the characters and many events in the novel demonstrate the misleading nature of appearances. Sometimes characters intentionally try to deceive, while others simply misinterpret what they observe; in both cases, the end result is a description of events that deliberately deviates from reality in order to increase the overall suspense of the plot as the author plays with a variety of conventional “whodunit” tropes. Several of Eleanor’s guests, and even Eleanor herself, illustrate just how deceptive appearances can be, for Rupert, Freddy, Cece, and Inspector Dobson all pretend to care about Eleanor even as they try to exploit or control her. For example, Maggie and Ethan overhear Rupert chastising Dr. Charles for dithering over their “plan” to falsely contend that Eleanor is “no longer of sound mind” and needs someone “to take over her affairs” (159). In addition to hiding the true reason for the doctor’s presence at the gathering, Rupert has been quietly diverting millions of dollars from Eleanor’s royalty checks, and his plan to have Eleanor declared unfit reveals his wish to access the rest of her fortune as well.

In addition to facing threats from her actual relatives, Eleanor must also contend with fake ones, as when Freddy falsifies Cece’s DNA test so that she can pretend to be Eleanor’s long-lost, doting niece and gain a place in Eleanor’s will.