# Crime and Punishment in The Borough Treasurer

> Theme guide for The Borough Treasurer by J. S. Fletcher.

The narrative revolves around past crimes (embezzlement by Mallalieu and Cotherstone) and present crimes (blackmail, murder), exploring how characters are haunted by their misdeeds and the legal and moral consequences that follow.

## Where it surfaces

- [II: Crime—and Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/ii-crime-and-success): Cotherstone and Mallalieu's past embezzlement and imprisonment are central to the chapter, driving the plot.
- [III: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/iii-murder): The chapter centers on the discovery of Kitely's murder, with Cotherstone's earlier murderous thoughts foreshadowing the crime.
- [IV: The Pine Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/iv-the-pine-wood): The chapter centers on the discovery of Kitely's murder, the initial investigation, and the community's reaction to the violent crime.
- [The Cord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/v-the-cord): The murder of Kitely and the investigation into the cord as evidence highlight the theme of crime and the search for justice.
- [VI: The Mayor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/vi-the-mayor): The murder of Kitely and the immediate investigation highlight the themes of crime and the search for justice.
- [VII: Night Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/vii-night-work): The murder investigation is actively subverted by Mallalieu to ensure Cotherstone escapes punishment, while Harborough is pursued.
- [XVII: The Medical Opinion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xvii-the-medical-opinion): The chapter reveals that Stoner's death is a second murder, with medical evidence pointing to a deliberate blow, escalating the criminal stakes.
- [At Bay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xx-at-bay): Cotherstone's confession to his past fraud and his accusation of Mallalieu for murder highlight the theme of crime and its consequences.
- [The Interrupted Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxi-the-interrupted-flight): Mallalieu's flight and arrest highlight the consequences of his crimes, including Stoner's murder.
- [XXII: The Hand in the Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxii-the-hand-in-the-darkness): Mallalieu's arrest and committal for murder, followed by his audacious escape, highlight the tension between justice and evasion.
- [Strict Business Lines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxiv-strict-business-lines): Mallalieu's escape and the police search underscore the theme of crime and its consequences.
- [XXVIII: Pages from the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxviii-pages-from-the-past): The chapter uncovers evidence of past crimes (suspected murders) and discusses bringing the perpetrator to justice.
- [Without Thought of Consequence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxix-without-thought-of-consequence): Mallalieu commits double murder to escape his captors, facing immediate consequences as the law closes in.
- [XXX: Cotherstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxx-cotherstone): The chapter deals with the aftermath of Kitely's murder and the threat of Mallalieu being hanged, as Cotherstone weighs his desire for revenge against the moral imperative to tell the truth.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/themes/crime_and_punishment
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/themes