As Good As Dead

In all three books of the series, Pip often finds herself involved with the representatives of law and order whose job is ensuring justice is served. More than any of its predecessors, the series finale shows the degree to which the system fails to do its job. As a result, one of the novel’s principal themes is justice denied. Pip repeatedly encounters authority figures whose main focus seems to be the obstruction of justice. This pattern emerges early in the book when Pip is sued for libel by serial rapist Max Hastings. His attorney demands that she publish a statement recanting Max’s recorded confession. As might be expected, this stance infuriates Pip, as her following interchange with Max’s lawyer demonstrates:

‘I urge you to turn back before you lose everything.’ ‘Thank you for your unbiased advice, Mr. Epps,’ she said. ‘But it appears you have underestimated me. I would be willing to lose everything, destroy myself, if it also meant destroying your client. That seems a fair trade’ (15).

Pip’s fury is apparent in these words, but her rage is understandable given the systemic incompetence she has already faced in the two preceding books in the series. Book two ends with Max’s acquittal and the devastation this creates for his rape victims.