The Fifth Cord (1971) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

John attacked himself to create the appearance of a serial killer operating within their circle. By becoming a victim, he could later commit murders while framing the attacks as the work of a psychopath. This also established him as above suspicion since he was visibly injured and wearing a neck brace during the investigation.

• john lubbock attack
• self attack
• serial killer frame
• neck brace

All the victims were connected to the secret relationship between Edouard Vermont and Isabel Lancia. John targeted anyone who knew about or was involved with the couple, including Sofia Bini (who accidentally witnessed something), Isabel herself (whom John killed to be with Edouard), and Giulia (who knew too much about the illegal activities).

• victims connection
• edouard isabel
• secret relationship
• targets

John killed Isabel because he was obsessively in love with Edouard Vermont, not Isabel. When Edouard married Isabel, John murdered her to eliminate that obstacle and be with Edouard. He staged the murders to appear as though a psychopath was responsible, concealing his true jealous motive.

Foreshadowing: At the New Year's party, John is visibly affected by Edouard's proposal to Isabel, as he harbors unspoken feelings for Edouard.

• isabel murder
• john edouard
• jealousy motive
• love triangle

The murders occurred on Tuesdays because that was Giulia's father's work schedule. He was the one attacking people in the tunnel on those specific days. Andrea discovered this pattern when he realized every murder had taken place on a Tuesday, which aligned with the father's availability.

• tuesday murders
• giulia father
• work schedule
• pattern

Andrea was attacked in the tunnel by Giulia's father, who was mistakenly targeting John due to a case of mistaken identity. Giulia's father was the one making the threatening phone calls and carrying out attacks on Tuesdays, thinking he was targeting the right person.

• tunnel attack
• giulia father
• mistaken identity
• attacker

Richard was paying Walter to keep quiet about the illegal underage sexual encounters that involved Edouard, Isabel, and Walter. Richard was trying to cover up these illicit activities and prevent them from becoming public, which is why he was paying Walter hush money.

• richard paying walter
• hush money
• illegal activities
• cover up

Andrea realized John was the killer when he discovered that John's neck brace had been removed weeks earlier, meaning he could not have been the victim in the tunnel attack. This revelation, combined with the pattern of Tuesday murders and John's suspicious behavior, led Andrea to confront John at the construction site where the truth came out.

• andrea discovery
• neck brace
• john unmasked
• confrontation

Giulia was found dead at a lakeside with her throat slit while working as a prostitute. She was killed by the same killer who murdered the others, eliminating her because she knew too much about the illegal activities and the attacks. Her death added to the confusion surrounding the case.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Giulia warned Andrea to stay out of the investigation and mentioned her father, hinting at her dangerous knowledge.

• giulia death
• murdered
• lakeside
• prostitution

Andrea was suspected because he was a journalist with access to information about the victims, he had a history of heavy drinking which made him unreliable, and he was actively investigating the murders. Additionally, he had received threatening calls warning him to stop poking around, and his aggressive investigation made him appear suspicious to the police.

• andrea suspect
• police investigation
• journalist
• threatening calls

Sofia Bini was killed because she accidentally witnessed something connecting the illegal activities to the group. Her disability made her an easy target. The killer moved her record player outside her room to lure her to the stairs, where she was strangled and pushed down, making her death appear like an accident or random attack.

Foreshadowing: Sofia appeared increasingly isolated and distressed at the party due to her physical disability, making her vulnerable.

• sofia murder
• disabled
• witness
• strangled

Walter Auer was actually Luciano Bartoli and was Giulia's brother, not her lover as initially suspected. He was involved in racing and was paid by Richard Bini to stay silent about the illegal activities. Walter's true identity and familial relationship to Giulia helped explain why he was present at key moments and received money from Richard.

• walter identity
• luciano bartoli
• giulia brother
• racing

John confessed because his true motive was not romantic jealousy for Isabel but obsessive love for Edouard. When Edouard married Isabel, John killed her to be with him. He confessed to cover up his true motive and attempted to frame others, disguising his obsession with Edouard as random psychopathic violence.

Foreshadowing: John's feelings for Edouard were hinted at by Helene, who mentioned John's suspicious feelings for someone close to him.

• john confession
• true motive
• edouard love
• obsession