The Devil's Star - 5

5

The special significance of the number 5 is cleverly woven into the story at various points by the author. Examples include:

• The number of murder victims was initially presumed to be five, although only four were actually completed (with Olaug Sivertsen spared from the last murder). However, the murderer was apprehended before the presumed scheduled murder of Sivertsen and, since the murderer actually had a grudge against Sven Sivertsen (Olaug's son) it is unclear which of them was the intended victim.
• Five fingers on a hand – each murder victim had one of their fingers severed (starting with Marius Veland's thumb and lastly Barbara Svendsen's ring finger). Had the fifth murder been committed in the final event it would have been the little finger of the left hand.
• Each murder took place on the fifth floor of a building (the exception to this was Marius Veland, the first victim, known to have been murdered on the fourth floor where his room was located). However his body was moved by the murderer and kept hidden in the fifth floor. It should also be noted that Olaug Sivertsen's home did not have five floors.
• Five o'clock – all the murders took place at around 5pm. In addition, journalist Roger Gjendem was told by Harry Hole to meet him at the Underwater pub at 5pm.
• There were five days between each murder.
• Each murder victim had a small, five-pointed red diamond located on the body (usually behind an eyelid) when found.
• Barbara Svendsen's body was found in balance, supported at five points: the two feet, the knees and the forehead.
• On one occasion Harry Hole stood by a closed counter and saw a TV around the corner; the lottery was being drawn, and the only number he had heard before Waaler began talking to him was the number 5.
• The book consists of five parts.