Where the Crawdads Sing

Character mistake: Lawyer Tom was in the bar when locals were speculating that Kya killed Chase. He told Kya that people in Barkley Cove call her "Marsh Girl" and "When you stand trial, you will be judged by a jury of your peers from Barkley Cove." In the courtroom, people were shouting "She's guilty" and "We all know she's guilty." The judge pounded his gavel and said, "We will now begin jury selection." Tom and/or the judge should have filed a "Motion for Change of Venue" to ensure a fair and unbiased trial. (00:10:23 - 00:29:44)

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Character mistake: The Sheriff's Department knew there was little/no evidence at the murder scene, but they did "have those red fibers found on the jacket - sweater, scarf, could be anything." After overhearing bar patrons saying the Marsh girl could be the killer, the Sheriff and a Deputy went to her house, apparently without a warrant or probable cause. They went into her screened-in porch, the Deputy saw a red wool hat through the window, said it was "in plain view" and took it. The hat was illegally seized. (00:04:50 - 00:06:45)

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Character mistake: Kya's brother is wearing his dress uniform with the blue infantry shoulder cord on the left side. It should be worn over the right shoulder.

Character mistake: Without probable cause or exigent circumstances, the Sheriff's Deputy went into Kya's house and confiscated the red wool hat. (If evidence is seized in violation of the 4th Amendment, it is not admissible in court. "In plain view" was not relevant under the circumstances - they had no evidence that the red fibers came from a red wool hat.) He carried the hat outside (without wearing gloves or putting it an evidence bag) then handed it to the Sheriff, who also was not wearing gloves. (00:07:06)

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Factual error: On July 4, Kya waits for Tate, watching the sun set and the fireworks at night. She falls asleep on the shore and wakes up in the same position, watching the sun rise. So the sun sets and rises in the same position. (00:55:40)

More mistakes in Where the Crawdads Sing

Trivia: Narrating in 1969, Kya said, "How birds sing mostly at dawn because the cool, moist air of morning carries their songs and their meaning much farther." This is no longer the primary view. Some scientific research found their subject sparrows' songs were louder (or just as loud) at noon than during the so-called "Morning Chorus." It appears the "Morning Chorus" might just sound louder because there are fewer other sounds at that time of the morning to drown them out (i.e, it is quieter). (00:37:15)

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More trivia for Where the Crawdads Sing

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