Jane Smiley's A Lesson Before Dying

289 Words2 Pages
The murderers of this novel were relatively likely. The twists and storyline the author puts behind them, on the other hand, was not likely. Once the reader reads that there is money involved, that is probably going to be the motive for any murder, and this case is no different. Mr. Jefferson was going to split 50,000 pounds between his daughter-in-law and son-in-law as inheritance since his children had died in an airplane accident. Once Ruby Keene is in the picture and Mr. Jefferson grows fond of her to the point where he wants to adopt Ruby, the money would go to her. At this time, 50,000 pounds was a lot of money. Adelaide Jefferson, his daughter-in-law, had a son that she loved and wished to use the money on, but she was content with