# Deception of the Senses in Murder by the Clock

> Theme guide for Murder by the Clock by Rufus King.

The plot relies on sensory misdirection—such as the coldness of a body that isn't dead, the sound of shots that aren't heard, and the use of dust as a disguise—to keep both the characters and the reader uncertain about what truly happened.

## Where it surfaces

- [II: 9:24 p.m.—Hallmarks of Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/ii-9-24-p-m-hallmarks-of-murder): Valcour notes the clean balcony and lack of clues, but the dirty soap and missing button suggest hidden evidence, challenging initial perceptions.
- [VI: 10:32 p.m.—Pictures in Dust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/vi-10-32-p-m-pictures-in-dust): Valcour's discovery of dust streaks suggests the attacker used dust to disguise their identity, deceiving the senses.
- [VII: 11:01 p.m.—Banked Fires](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/vii-11-01-p-m-banked-fires): Valcour misinterprets Mrs. Siddons's reactions, and the medical examiner's cryptic 'crinoline' hints at misleading clues.
- [X: 12:06 a.m.—The Stillness of a Grave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/x-12-06-a-m-the-stillness-of-a-grave): The stillness and apparent calm of the house contrast with the underlying threat, and the characters' perceptions are unreliable.
- [XI: 12:15 a.m.—To Watch by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xi-12-15-a-m-to-watch-by-night): Valcour deliberately misleads Hollander about the police presence and the nature of the situation, creating a false impression of normalcy.
- [XII: 12:30 a.m.—Madame Velasquez Stirs Up Muck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xii-12-30-a-m-madame-velasquez-stirs-up-muck): Madame Velasquez's appearance and behavior are deceptive, hiding her true manipulative nature.
- [XIV: 2:01 a.m.—An Empty Sheath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xiv-2-01-a-m-an-empty-sheath): Valcour's search is interrupted by a sudden attack, and the sheath is empty, hinting at unseen dangers.
- [XV: 2:13 a.m.—The Thin Steel Blade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xv-2-13-a-m-the-thin-steel-blade): Miss Murrow's perception of Hollander's movements is uncertain—she questions whether his hand is moving or if it's an illusion of light and shade.
- [XVI: 2:13 a.m.—Time Versus Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xvi-2-13-a-m-time-versus-death): The officers conceal themselves from Endicott's view, and Hollander's friendly demeanor masks his murderous intent.
- [XVII: 2:40 a.m.—The Angle of Death’s Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xvii-2-40-a-m-the-angle-of-death-s-path): The angle of the bullet and the open window deceive the characters about the true source of the shot, emphasizing how sensory evidence can mislead.
- [XVIII: 3:00 a.m.—Thin Haze of Dread](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xviii-3-00-a-m-thin-haze-of-dread): The thin haze of dread and the dark night create an atmosphere of uncertainty and obscured perception, reflecting the deceptive nature of appearances.
- [XIX: 3:15 a.m.—The Properties of Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xix-3-15-a-m-the-properties-of-horror): The cooler room temperature and the absence of a heard shot highlight how sensory details can mislead or provide crucial clues.
- [XX: 3:24 a.m.—On Private Heights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xx-3-24-a-m-on-private-heights): Valcour suggests that Roberts's subconscious may have counted shots, and Roberts's claim of not being on the balcony contrasts with Valcour's suspicion.
- [XXI: 3:51 a.m.—A Woman’s Slipper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxi-3-51-a-m-a-woman-s-slipper): Mrs. Endicott's apparent unconsciousness is questioned, and the damp spread suggests a trick.
- [XXII: 4:14 a.m.—Tap—Tap—Tap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxii-4-14-a-m-tap-tap-tap): Mrs. Endicott's feigned unconsciousness deceives the senses, and Valcour uses sensory cues (tapping) to break through the illusion.
- [XXIII: 4:29 a.m.—A Turn of the Screw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxiii-4-29-a-m-a-turn-of-the-screw): Valcour challenges Mrs. Endicott's account of the slipper and the balcony.
- [XXIX: 6:30 a.m.—As Is Mirage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxix-6-30-a-m-as-is-mirage): Mrs. Endicott's claim of seeing no one on the balcony is challenged, and Valcour presents alternative interpretations of the events.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/themes/deception_of_the_senses
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/themes