# Women, Politics & Murder explained — Continental Op Stories

> Chapter companion for Continental Op Stories by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

The Continental Op interviews Mrs. Gilmore, the widow of a murdered building contractor, who suspects her husband's mistress Cara Kenbrook of the killing. After visiting the crime scene, the Op returns to find the maid offers to sell information about the murder. The maid reveals that Mrs. Gilmore followed her husband the night he was killed. Later, the Op confronts Cara Kenbrook and Stanley Tennant, who frame the Op for assaulting Cara.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Detection

The Op investigates Bernard Gilmore's murder, gathering clues and interviewing suspects.

### Corruption and Morality

Stanley Tennant's corrupt role in city contracts and the framing of the Op highlight moral decay in politics.

### Deception and Identity

Mrs. Gilmore withholds information about Cara Kenbrook; Cara initially lies about her knowledge; Tennant stages a false assault.

## Character check-ins

### The Continental Op

Interviews Mrs. Gilmore and later Cara Kenbrook; deduces the truth about the murder.

### Mrs. Gilmore

Hysterical widow who suspects Cara Kenbrook of killing her husband Bernard Gilmore.

### Cara Kenbrook

Maid and mistress of Bernard Gilmore; initially withholds information, later reveals Mrs. Gilmore followed her husband.

### Bernard Gilmore

Murdered building contractor involved in city contracts and politics.

### Stanley Gorham

Assistant city engineer with a corrupt reputation; frames the Op for assaulting Cara.

### Detective Sergeant O'Gar

Mentioned as having described the crime scene.

## Key lines

> I want you to find my husband’s murderer.

Mrs. Gilmore hires the Continental Op to solve her husband's murder.

_Opening of the investigation._

> Suppose I knew who killed the boss? What would that be worth?

Cara Kenbrook offers to sell information about the murder.

_Cara's attempt to profit from her knowledge._

> He did that, Cara.

Tennant instructs Cara to claim the Op assaulted her.

_Tennant frames the Op by tearing Cara's clothes and hitting her._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/women-politics-murder
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters