Mrs. Fiedke
An elderly tourist whose belief that her nephew will appear draws Lise closer to Richard.
To meet the nephew she believes she will recognize at the right moment.
The book
At a glance
- Tourist waiting for her nephew
- Richard
- Slippers and a curved paper knife
- Companion, witness, and link to Richard
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freeMrs. Fiedke is a small, elderly traveler waiting for her nephew. She meets Lise while shopping and joins her through cafés and stores. Her poor hearing and eyesight limit what she notices, yet her memory will still matter to the investigation.
She believes she can sense that her nephew is near and that he will appear after a special event. Lise listens because the nephew may be the man she wants. Mrs. Fiedke eventually recognizes Richard at the Hotel Tomson.
Her gentleness does not mean she understands Lise. Like the other witnesses, she sees only part of the day. The slippers, gloves, pink tissue, and curved paper knife around her become ordinary objects caught in a fatal design she cannot see.
How the book draws them
- Small, neat, and agileShe is old but moves with surprising energy through the shop, café, and streets.
- A deeply wrinkled faceThe narration describes her age directly without presenting her as helpless.
- Dim sight and hearingShe sometimes misses what is said or shown, which makes her later witness account necessarily partial.
- A gentle voiceHer calm manner contrasts with Lise's sharp changes in tone.
- A yellow cotton dressHer plain summer clothing makes a quiet visual contrast with Lise's clashing colors.
- Gloves wrapped in pink tissueShe carefully handles small purchases and personal objects while moving through the stores.
Mrs. Fiedke identifies Richard as her nephew at the Hotel Tomson. The paper knife she buys later becomes the weapon Lise gives him. Mrs. Fiedke does not understand the plan she helps bring together.
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