Arnold Horne is a major antagonist in the 4th book of the Truly Devious series titled The Box in the Woods. He was the president of the local bank at Barlow Corners. Later in the book, it is revealed that he isn’t actually the real Arnold Holmes. But instead a man called Otto von Hessen, a high-ranking Nazi intelligence officer. Otto had assumed the identity of the real Arnold Horne after murdering him. Years passed and he eventually married and had a daughter, Patty Horne. June 8, 1978, he was found by a man named Wendel Rolf. Rolf immediately realized that he wasn’t his real friend, Arnold. Otto realized that his cover was blown so he eventually murdered Wendel, drowning him in his pool. Unbeknownst to him, Sabrina Abbott and Greg Dempsey had witnessed his conversation with Wendel. Afraid his lies would be revealed he plotted to get rid of him. Convincing his daughter, they made a plan to eliminate Sabrina and Greg. Sabrina was murdered in the woods along with Eric, Diane, and Todd who were unfortunately caught in the crossfire. Otto/Arnold killed Sabrina, Diane and Todd in the woods, displaying their bodies similar to that of how the Woodsmen killer did his victims. To hopefully cover up what truly happened. Eric had managed to almost make it back to the camp but Otto caught up to him and killed him. During the gathering at football field, he indirectly murdered Greg. Patty sent him a signal to blind Greg while he was on his motorcycle, making him crash into a large rock, killing him. Years passed and he funded his daughter’s bakery business. He died sometime before the book took place. His true identity is revealed to the public by Stevie Bell by the end of the book when she has solved the Box In The Woods murders.
Victims[]
- Wendel Rolf - Drowned in a pool by Arnold Horne.
- Diane McClure - Stabbed nine times and bludgeoned by Arnold Horne
- Todd Cooper - Stabbed 16 times and bludgeoned by Arnold Horne
- Sabrina Abbott - Stabbed 21 times by Arnold Horne
- Eric Wilde - Stabbed six times and bludgeoned by Arnold Horne
- Greg Dempsey - Killed in a car crash caused by Arnold Horne along with the help of Patty Horne
Kill Count[]
- Total - 5
- 3 Men
- 2 Women
Characters Killed by Arnold Horne[]
- Wendel Rolf
- Diane McClure
- Todd Cooper
- Sabrina Abbott
- Eric Wilde
- Greg Dempsey