Moonflower Murders: A Novel

Moonflower Murders uses the motif of cars in to reveal the traits and motivations of the characters who drive them. For instance, as soon as Susan Ryeland returns to London, she retrieves her MGB roadster from storage, which is significant on several levels. The classic convertible car is quintessentially British, echoing the locations she navigates during her investigation and signifying her eagerness to immerse herself in England after her time away in Greece. Meanwhile, the sporty style of the MGB and its bright red color reflect Susan’s independent spirit and sense of adventure. Susan has paid to keep the MGB in storage rather than selling it, suggesting her uncertainty about giving up her English life to move to Crete. Susan’s reunion with her car reminds her of her former identity as a single professional woman and renews her sense of agency. Meanwhile, Aiden MacNeil’s Range Rover is an identity statement that demonstrates his desire to be perceived as wealthy. This car is a status symbol typically associated with the British upper classes, and his vehicle is an indicator of the value Aiden places on the wealth and social status he acquired when he married Cecily Treherne. Fittingly, when that status is threatened, he uses the Range Rover’s trunk to dispose of his wife’s body.

Cars are also used to enhance characterization in Atticus Pünd Takes the Case. Melissa James’s pale blue Bentley convertible reflects her egocentricity. She enjoys driving her distinctive luxury car with the top down, as she enjoys being recognized and admired. This adds to her already significant “sense of empowerment” (255). Algernon Marsh’s cream Peugeot represents his vanity. Algernon likes that his French car—with its right-hand drive—stands out in England, making him immediately recognizable. Algernon’s character traits are further illuminated by his attitude toward driving. He is involved in a hit-and-run while disqualified from driving and intoxicated, which illustrates his recklessness and irresponsibility. In a moment of insight, DCI Hare says that Algernon conducts his entire life “with the mentality of a hit-and-run driver,” displaying “no sense of shame, no morality” (424). Ironically, the distinctive nature of Algernon’s car has a part in his downfall as he is arrested for the crime after being spotted by a witness. Dr. Collins’s battered Morris Minor serves as a contrast to Melissa and Algernon’s flashy vehicles. Initially, the car suggests that the doctor prioritizes serving his community over material possessions. However, in reality, the car’s state is a sign of Lionel Collins’s financial struggles.