# The Unnatural and Grotesque in The Greene Murder Case

> Theme guide for The Greene Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

The murders are described as 'most foul, strange and unnatural,' with the crime scenes, family relationships, and the murderer's methods evoking a sense of horror and unreality that transcends ordinary criminality.

## Where it surfaces

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/epigraph): The epigraph directly invokes the unnatural and grotesque nature of the murder, framing the crime as something beyond ordinary villainy.
- [XIV: Footprints on the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xiv-footprints-on-the-carpet): Rex's peaceful expression despite being shot at close range in daylight creates an eerie and unnatural contrast.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/themes/the_unnatural_and_grotesque
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/themes