In Elin Hilderbrand's The Perfect Couple, Merritt Monaco died accidentally, not as a direct act of murder by Abby Winbury. Her death was the unintended consequence of Abby's attempt to drug her husband's mistress.
Unraveling the Tragic Accident
Merritt's death unfolds as a series of unfortunate events stemming from Abby's desperate attempt to handle a personal crisis. Abby, consumed by her husband's infidelity, planned to drug his mistress, not to harm Merritt.
Abby's Misguided Intent
Abby's initial intention was purely to incapacitate her husband's mistress, not to cause any severe harm or death.
- Target: Abby intended to sedate her husband's husband's mistress.
- Method: Pills were placed into a drink meant specifically for the mistress.
- Motive: To incapacitate the mistress, presumably to confront her husband or prevent further infidelity, rather than to cause fatal injury to anyone.
The Unforeseen Hand-Off
A critical turning point in the plot involves the unexpected transfer of the drugged beverage. The mistress, unaware of the drink's contents or Abby's intentions, inadvertently handed the contaminated drink to Merritt. This simple act of passing a drink irrevocably altered the trajectory of the evening.
The Accidental Drowning
Merritt's ultimate demise was not directly from the drugs she ingested, but from a tragic accident that occurred afterward. Feeling the effects of the pills and in a moment of emotional distress, Merritt went into the ocean to retrieve a ring she had thrown in anger. Under the influence and likely disoriented, she accidentally drowned.
Key Elements Leading to Merritt's Death
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Initial Plan | Abby intended to drug her husband's mistress. |
| Mistake | The mistress inadvertently gave the drugged drink to Merritt. |
| Merritt's Action | Merritt, under the influence, entered the ocean to retrieve a thrown ring. |
| Cause of Death | Accidental drowning. |
Therefore, while Abby's actions set in motion the chain of events, Merritt's death was a tragic accident, a consequence of a drug intended for someone else, followed by an unfortunate incident in the ocean.
