Theories
This theory claims the killers needed no forced entry, knew every routine, and acted as a coordinated rebellion from inside the Pangbourne village.
What is the children killed their parents
Who is a forensic scientist that writes in his diary about the murders?
Who is Dr. Richard Greville
A feature meant to ensure safety in Pangbourne Village, but ultimately failed?
What are security cameras.
Where Dr. Greville combines psychological analysis with police evidence?
The forensics diary
What is the name of the chapter where the massacre begins?
The trigger
According to this theory, a group of violent individuals committed the murders for excitement
What is thrill killers
What is Mark Sanger’s task during the massacre?
Who is “Cutting the telephones and TV cables?
What kind of city is Pangbourne Village known as?
What is a controlled, futuristic and excluded city
Who does the diary belong to?
Who is Dr. Richard Greville
What does the disappearance of the children suggest about their desire for freedom?
That they wanted to escape control and start a new life on their own terms.
This theory argues that the killings were carried out by trained professionals, yet no message or political motive ever followed.
What is international terrorism or organized crime
Who is the psychologist investigating the murders at Pangbourne Village?
Dr. Greville.
How is Pangbourne Village diffrent from other towns?
Because the town is heavily controlled and isolated
What is the main purpose of the forensic diary in the story?
To analyze the murders using psychology and evidence.
Why is the ending left open and unresolved?
To make the reader think about responsibility and society’s role in the tragedy.
This theory suggests that a single individual carried out all the murders at Pangbourne Village.
What is the lone assassin
What house is all the children's attention on?
Who is Marion Miller
What can the walls and high security in Pangbourne Village symbolize?
What is fear, power and lack of trust
How does the diary help explain the children’s behavior?
It shows how constant control and lack of freedom affected their mental state.
How does the ending criticize modern society and parenting?
It shows how overprotection and controlled love can harm children instead of helping them.
This theory claims the killings were the result of a secret operation that went wrong.
What is a misdirected military exercise
Why are the parents important to understanding the children’s actions?
Because their strict control and emotional distance help explain why the children rebel.
In what way does Pangbourne Village reflect the parents' needs more than the children
The controlled, dominated, and oppressive environment shows how the city has been built for safety and control rather than freedom and fun
Why is the diary more focused on psychology than physical evidence?
Because the crime is mainly about emotional and social pressure, not just violence.
What does the final message about “children of revenge” suggest about the future?
Quote: “Western Europe and the United States, has given birth to its children of revenge, sending them out to challenge the world that loved them.”
It suggests that more young people may rebel against controlled societies in the future.