Death of an Expert Witness | Themes

Death of an Expert Witness Themes

NO PRIVACY IN MURDER

This is the central theme of the book, and is perhaps true in any murder investigation, be it in fiction or "real" life. In order to find a murderer, detectives must ferret out all the minutiae of both the victim's life and the lives of friends, family, and suspects. As Commander Dalgliesh thinks to himself, "The victim was central to the mystery of his own death. He died because of what he was." (p. 92). Dalgliesh believes that getting to know the victim intimately is more crucial to solving the murder than is figuring out motive. In order to get to know the victim, privacy is sacrificed. An example of this is clearly seen when Dalgliesh and Massingham search Dr. Lorrimer's bedroom after the murder. They find some letters written by Lorrimer to Domenica Schofield. They are childish, obsessive, and often highly erotic writings—that of a man not willing to...
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