FUZZY NAVEL ending? Post your theories **SPOILER ALERT!**

[Konrath#1Fan]

It couldn't have been Mr. Friskers who took the bullet.

Remember, in the scene the victim says, "She'll find you." before being shot by Alex.

If the victim was really Mr. Friskers, he would have said, "Meurrr, raughr, grhh, hssttt!", which of course translates as follows:

"If anyone's going to off Jack, it'll be me, not some crazy human bitch with half a face. You think you're a tough pussy? I'll rip your insides out and use them to line my kitty litter box!"

[JA Konrath]

I think it was Miss Scarlet, in the library.

[SlidingKat]

Based on the no one is going to be angry comments I'll bet Pessolano or one of the other TUHC members. I added the other members, because I'm uncertain on if Alex would "reckognize all to well" Pessolano from seeing him through the scope. I don't remember a line saying he was dead just shot in each limb. Blood loss could make the others think he was dead.

In the poll I voted for Mary. After thinking about it that seems too obvious. Although it would be a nice hook for new readers on the first page.

I think Alex's pleasure is based on killing someone who spoiled her plan. Whereas if she killed one of the ones she was after she'd be disgruntled in not getting to torture.

Can't wait for the next book. I was kind of uncertain about if I wanted Afraid or not, but then I read the sales release of Stephen King's next book and Afraid immediately came to mind so I think I'll give it a try.

[camera_stooge]

I'm updating my prediction to Latham. This is based on something that came out of Joe's blog tour. You know what it is, if you've been following faithfully (like I have).

[crouilla]

I 100% know that it isn't Harry.

I still say Latham.

[JA Konrath]

It could be Jack, and Cherry Bomb is all about her ghost.

[bailey05]

Ok, so it's not Jack... JA is "trying to throw us off" - Cherry Bomb & the next in the book are not going to be solely about Jack's ghost... this isn't the Ghost Whisperer for crying out loud, and JA isn't cheesey like that. Beside, the last chapter was from Jack's POV - she was the one who pushed through the crowd of cops to get to the victim at the hospital. It would ruin the entire series if THE main character was killed off before the end of the series... maybe in a later edition, but not yet.

Mary - Jack's mom - too obvious. Yes, Jack would be distraught about it; and sure, Baines would probably offer to help with the arrangements. Even though she's old and ragedy, she's still one tough b*tch and it wouldn't be right to kill her off after all that she had been through in FN. She just found her long-lost son and they need some time together, not huddled up in a bathroom trying not to get shot.

Latham - again, obvious. As much as it would pain Jack to lose her fiance, in DM she was "doubting" her relationship when McDreamy came into the picture and tried to whisk her away with chinese food and beer... He's not a major character in the series. Sure he plays a significant role in the book, but he's only talked about when something is wrong with him, whether he was poisoned with botulism, or if he's been shot and toturted! He seems like a goof ball, one of those guys that you asked to go to prom with you senior year because you just wanted to go with a friend and he took it the wrong way and has been attached at the hip ever since - the man can't get the picture! Anyways, I don't think it's Latham.

Herb - never... He's a resiliant chubby fellow! Baines wouldn't say to Jack that he wold help with the arrangements if it was Herb, that's something that would be left for Bernice, Herb's wife. Too far into the series to get a new partner for Jack. JA tried a new partner for her in DM when Herb decided that he didn't want to work in Homicide anymore, and we all know what happened to that girl (thanks to the Chemist)... So, walrus-boy will be around for future editions.

Harry... this is where I'm stumped. But it would make sense if it were him because of his past with Kork and how "excited" she was when she was finally able to kill the person in the 1st ambulance. I don't think that Jack would be so consumed with hatred for the fact that if it was Harry - I think she'd be more pissed that Kork finally got to someone, and it would make Jack feel like she'd failed at protecting her family & friends. We just found out in FN that Harry is Jack's half-brother, so she wouldn't have had any time really to "get to know the guy" beyond what she already knows. The only reason I can gather that Baines would say he would help with arrangements is because Harry is a former cop, and Jack's former partner. On the other hand, I don't want it to be Harry because we all enjoy his dim-witted humor through the books. You literally can never guess what he'll say next. He kind of has that persona of the creepy-perverted uncle that you want to steer clear of at family reunions! haha

Phin - again, someone that I don't want to be killed out of the books. Close friends with Jack on an awkward level. There is definitely an attraction between them, that they both try to ignore. The only reason I feel that Jack never acted on it is because of the fact that she's a cop and he's a criminal. Phin is just worried that he'll become attached and then be forced to say goodbye because of his cancer, and he just doesn't want to risk it - he'd rather be selfish and just live out his self-contained/consuming life. But... Kork had beef with him too and she would be tickled ot death if she was able to kill just one of the people that were in the house. Kork knows that killing Phin would hurt Jack just about as much as if she would kill Mary. Phin may play a small role in the book, but he is some what of a substantial character that pops in and out of the series.

If you look at all this from Kork's POV, you'd have to imagine in what way could she hurt Jack the most and to provoke her to come chasing after her. Obviously if Jack felt like she had failed especially after their 8 hour ordeal, then Jack would be pissed no matter who Kork killed. But it would have to be someone who played a significant role in Jack's like. Someone that she would've loved unconditionally. Someone that she would've looked up to, and was the whole reason why Jack is the way she is. I can't believe that I'm getting ready to say this, but now that I look at this from Kork's POV, I think that it was Mary. I know, I know... I said that it would've been too obvious if it were her, but it makes perfect sense this way. For every reason that I said at the top, is a damn good reason to kill her off. Yes, Baines would insist on helping with the arrangments because she was a retired cop, and obviously Jack's only family. (Yes, Harry is her half-brother, but that wouldn't exactly be at the top of the priority list for Baines to know at this point and he's got a one-track mind to focus on the serious crimes that have been commited in the past 12 hours.) And yes, tons of people would send their condolences by means of flowers to Jack at the hospital if it were Mary. And yes, Kork knows that it would really get under Jack's skin if she were to kill her mother. It takes a heartless-bitch-coward to take away someone's mother, regardless of the person - it's low even for Kork's standards. But still, it would get to jack the most... Mary was her role model, Jack's guide to being a successful and professional woman in the world, and Jack would've done anything for her mom. If it was someone as *ahem* worthless to the actual plot of the story, such as Pessolano, then Jack would give two-shits about him and wouldn't hide it from Baines. Especially since Jack had been toying with the thought of "retiring" from the force, she would like Kork up to Baines & the rest of her Homicide division.

I rest my case here, I have developed a headache trying to debate this and I just keep going in circles at this point. Sure I made an argument for and against Mary, but I'm still not happy with my findings or my vote. It's the only rational thing to do at this point in order to keep my sanity. Till June, I will have to wait. At that point, I'll be 5 months pregnant in the midst of a midwest summer, once again longing for winter and damning that too when it rolls around.

Tata for now

[SlidingKat]

That all makes sense...except Joe has tated numerous times he is pretty sure no one will be angry. If it is Mary a lot of people are going to be angry. You can't just kill off Friskers best friend and not expect readers to roar.

[MissEmber]

I hope it isn't to late to but in a few pennies on this. I was listening to the audio, and at the end of the book of FN, called Mr Konrath some dreadful, vulgar and unladylike names. My apologies. Then I listened to the end again. More name-calling. Again, apologies.

I think it must be Mary as she, due to the arthritis, is the only one who wouldn't have been able to at least grab Alex's hand or the gun. And, it seems that everyone would take a swing at her, given the chance.

But, if we won't be angry....hmmm.

Back to pondering...

MissEmber

[camera_stooge]

It's been a while since I ready Fuzzy Navel, but wasn't everybody pretty badly beaten up by the time they got out of the house? That would explain why nobody made a grab for the gun. That, and the drugs....