Characters
This struggling writer is hired to complete Verity Crawford’s successful book series
Lowen Ashleigh
Lowen discovers this hidden document while staying in the Crawford home.
Autobiography/Manuscript
This event brings Lowen into contact with Jeremy at the beginning of the novel.
Pedestrian accident.
This emotion drives much of Verity’s behavior in the manuscript.
Jealousy
After the climax, Lowen and Jeremy continue living in this house.
Crawford house
This husband of Verity becomes Lowen’s employer and love interest.
Jeremy Crawford
The manuscript is written in this narrative style.
First person.
Lowen moves into this family’s home to review Verity’s notes and continue the series.
The Crawford's
The novel frequently explores this uncertainty about what is true.
Ambiguity
This document is discovered after Verity’s death and offers an alternate explanation.
Verity’s letter
This bestselling author is at the center of the novel’s mystery.
Verity Crawford
In the manuscript, Verity admits to having these disturbing feelings toward her children.
Feelings of resentment or hatred.
This object is repeatedly used to suggest that Verity may not be as incapacitated as she appears.
Wheelchair
Lowen and Jeremy’s relationship highlights this theme.
Forbidden or complicated love
According to the letter, the manuscript was supposedly written as this type of exercise.
Writing exercise
This child of Jeremy and Verity is still alive and living in the house.
Crew Crawford
This is the central mystery raised by the manuscript.
Is Verity telling the truth?
Lowen begins to suspect Verity can do this despite her condition.
Move freely and observe secretly.
The book examines this dark aspect of family relationships.
Dysfunctional family dynamics
This major question remains unresolved at the end of the novel.
Whether Verity was truly guilty
This child of Jeremy and Verity dies in a car accident before the events of the novel.
Harper Crawford
The manuscript especially focuses on Verity’s obsession with this person.
Jeremy Crawford
This discovery intensifies the suspense and fear Lowen feels while staying in the house.
The Manuscript
The ending forces readers to question the reliability of this source.
Verity’s manuscript.
The novel’s final twist centers on the conflict between these two accounts.
Manuscript and the letter