"Our" Investigation

[trschi]

skrupp wrote:

I think Charley means Mike and himself.  While the police seems to be trying I think Charley knows the characters involved with this having worked as a Warden.  I think he wants to figure things out because he doesn't get the motivation behind the murders if it was Jack. 

There was definately some shockers coming out with Charley asking the questions because he knows more than Mike.  I think Truman got his scar from Jack or someone else and I don't think it was an accident.  But as far as suspects go, Brenda seems to have enough anger but I don't think she has the guts to do anything, plus motive.  Pelletier has a good motive and anger, but I don't know.

I agree - I think that "our" means Charley and Mike.  It seems that Charley is not satisfied by the official investigation, especially with everyone's assumption that Jack is guilty.  The police seem to be going about this backwards - finding a suspect and then searching for the evidence.  

[trschi]

I know that others have posted that they suspect Charley, though I think he is innocent.  If he were guilty, he would not be helping Mike uncover more details about the crime.  The more digging they do, the more likely the truth will be uncovered.  Also, if Charley were guilty, he would join the chorus in suspecting Jack, and would not have said that he can't figure out what Jack's motive could have been.

I am thinking that someone from the law enforcement community had something to do with the murders. The police/wardens/etc knew about the change of driving plans, and certainly have the knowledge of how to set up a person for a crime.  Also, they have just as much to lose as their neighbors in the Wendigo buyout.  I think that the killing of the police officer was accidental (even Tripp, I think, said something to that effect), and that the real goal was to scare Wendigo, possibly by wounding or killing Shipman.

[becke_davis]

I'm fascinated by all the different suggestions about Truman's scar. I wonder if the author realized this would be open to such a variety of speculation!

[CharlieG31]

When Charley says to Sally that Mike is helping with "Our investigation," is he referring to the Maine Wardens?

From my point of view Charlie and Sally and some key people in town are organizing themselves to find what is it with the company and their evictions , and what actually happened with Shipman. They are working externally from the wardens and trying to have enough evidence to present to the police so that if the police tries to say no they will have at least enough evidence so an investigation can start.

Whose investigation is this?

The town's people.

Were you shocked by what Charlie was saying to Tripp and to Truman about what had already happened in the investigation that Mike didn't know about?

I was shocked because the investigation at the beginning seemed to be very secretive and well when Charlie starts talking then it shows that Charlie knows and that maybe a lot of people know about what is going on but they do not talk openly about it, which gives a new turn to the plot because now it seems that lots of people have a lot of things to say Mike just needs to be in the right time at the right place in order to start putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

How do you think Truman got his scar?

 I believe Jack and Truman got into a big fight because of Brenda. When Truman tried to take Brenda away from Jack or tried something that involved Brenda leaving Jack , Jack decided it was time to put a stop to the problem and confronted Truman, from my point of view things got a little bit out of control and Truman got the big head injury. When Charlie asks about the scar the way Truman reacts clearly shows that Truman lost this fight and he may also have lost his pride, I have a feeling that Brenda witnessed this fight which hurt Truman internally even more. I would love to continue reading and see if Mike goes and talks to Truman again in order to be able to define much more about this problem that happened between Jack And Truman.

[MSaff]

Hi Everyone,

  I personally wasn't surprised when Charlie mentioned various things about the investigation to Tripp and to Truman.  I think it was a ploy to see what they would do or how they would react to the statements he was making.  I also believe that he was looking at how Mike would react to his statements.  For some reason, I'm not so sure I trust Charlie and he may make it to my suspects list.  Charlie has a lot to lose in regard to his land and his way of life. 

  As for Truman's scar, I don't really know, but reading about his way of life and all, I wouldn't be surprise to find that he had gotten in some fight which would have resulted in this injury.  Do I believe he deserved such a beating,  maybe, but I wouldn't want to see anyone blinded or injured to a debilitating degree. 

  Here's my list of suspects:

    Russell Pellitier - owner of the Sporting Camp.  He has a lot to lose with the take over of the land. 

    Brenda or BJ as we learn about her - For some reason she has chosen to hook up with Jack and this could be a problem.  She has been threatened and brutalized in the past, by her own father and who knows who else, and I think that she is just out for revenge.

  Trumen Dellis - He is in jeopardy of losing out on some prime poaching area.  Also he has been working for Pellitier at the Sporting Camp and would probably be losing his source of income as well as his cover for poaching. 

  Jack Bowditch - our prime suspect, at least in the novel.  I only place him on this list, because like Dellis, his income is being threatened as well as hi poaching activity.  I really don't suspect Jack as much because this just seems like such a set up.

  Charlie - The retired Warden.  He has spent his life in these woods and his lifestyle is in jeopardy. 

Rachel-K wrote:

Were you shocked by what Charlie was saying to Tripp and to Truman about what had already happened in the investigation that Mike didn't know about?

How do you think Truman got his scar?

The list of suspects from one of the previous threads is fascinating. Who do you suspect most, and why?

[Ronrose]

I agee. Also I think that Charlie has that old "once a cop always a cop" (substitute- game warden) attitude. You don't give up a lifetimes wayof thinking and training just because you retire.

Ron

[HannibalCat]

Ronrose wrote:

I agee. Also I think that Charlie has that old "once a cop always a cop" (substitute- game warden) attitude. You don't give up a lifetimes wayof thinking and training just because you retire.

Ron

Me, too. I think Charley was using the term to include the whole department, and using it to give a little boost to Mike. I thing he had a lot of sympathy for Mike and wanted him to feel there were people on his side.