Troubled Blood ending - MASSIVE spoiler. Don't read if you haven't read the book

[RoyalCorgi]

Following on from the thread where we were talking about JKR, I've been itching for ages to talk about the ending of Troubled Blood.

We find out that the killer is a member of the caring professions and that Strike has failed to investigate this person properly because Strike had had such a good experience of this profession in the past. (For some reason I'm still trying not to completely give it away!)

It seems to me that JKR is trying to make a very obvious point: that bad people will pretend to be something they're not in order to gain access to victims and dupe the unwary. It feels like an exact analogy for the argument that sexual abusers will take advantage of self-ID to gain access to changing rooms, women's refuges, Girl Guiding etc. It also reminds me of what LangCleg used to say about not having a "sacred caste" when it comes to safeguarding: absolutely no one should be above suspicion.

And of course she's absolutely right - just look at Harold Shipman or the number of doctors and health professionals who have been found guilty of sexual abuse. Being a health professional is a very good cover for people who want to harm others.

I've read the book. In what way was the killer pretending to be something they weren't? As you say, they were a qualified health care professional. It seems to me that it was because of who they were that they were able to kill so effectively and go un-noticed for so long.

I presume RoyalCorgi is referring to the fact that the killer pretends to be kind and a good nurse and is instead poisoning people.

I don't think that's typically in the good nursing handbook

@RoyalCorgi didn't Floral Bunting start a thread in 'what we're reading' for this? Sorry, too thick to do links on my phone

I presume RoyalCorgi is referring to the fact that the killer pretends to be kind and a good nurse and is instead poisoning people.

Indeed I am! It seems like such an obvious analogy for the trans debate but, perhaps more importantly, demonstrates why you shouldn't take people at face value. If you take the scandal of child abuse amongst priests, for example, it's clear there are two things going on: one is that the priesthood gives you easy access to victims, and two it earns you the trust and respect of people in the community, so that parents are more likely to leave their children with you.

The same very much applies to health professionals. People are very very reluctant to believe that health professionals will engage in harm.

I hadn't seen the thread in What We're Reading.

Having had a ghastly life changing experience as a result of poor health care , I found it unexpectedly difficult to read. "Enjoy" isn't the word nor is "entertaining " but I found it a more worthwhile read than I expected.

I have not read the book but I did see the recent documentary on Harold Shipman and on Beverly Allitt and it is terrifying how much they managed to get away with, fortunately laws have changed because of them but its scary how easily it happened.

I've also heard some accounts of police officers that are the stuff of nightmares.

When I heard what the theme of this book is it reminded me of an old Martina Cole book easily 20 years old called Broken that traumatised me, I don't think I'd be able to read it now as a parent, although following the backlash of Troubled Blood I don't know if it would even get published. Without giving away the plot, both themes are covered with no feelings spared.