Content Warning: The source material for this study guide depicts or references death by suicide, drug addiction, and sexual abuse, and it includes descriptions of gore. There are also scenes depicting violence against unhoused people. Finally, the novel briefly hints at damaging stereotypes about mental illness and psychosis in order to ultimately subvert those stereotypes.

“Decorating cupcakes is harder than it seems. Especially when the results will be posted online for thousands to see. Smudges and smears aren’t allowed. In a high-def world, flaws loom large.

Details matter.”

The novel introduces Quincy as a character obsessed with appearances, particularly the way details reveal compelling truths about people. This reflexively extends to her own appearance, and it also reflects the way she tries to balance her identity as a survivor with the façade of normalcy she tries to put up in the public eye.

“I understand that urge for more information, that longing for details. But in this case, I’m fine without them. I know what happened at Pine Cottage. I don’t need to remember exactly how it happened. Because here’s the thing about details—they can also be a distraction. Add too many and it obscures the brutal truth about a situation.”

Although the previous passage points to Quincy’s penchant for detail, this passage points out a contradiction in her worldview. For Quincy, details matter only when they push forward a narrative of normalcy. She fears that if she goes too deep into the details of her experience, she may confront a truth too disturbing to bear.

“There’s such a thing as too much sweetness, Quincy, he told me. All the best bakers know this. There needs to be a counterpoint. Something dark […] They cut through all the sugar, taming it just enough so that when you do taste the sweetness, you appreciate it all the more.”

Quincy recalls her father’s first baking lesson, which helped her to cope with her first exposure to the Final Girl experience. His lesson also serves as a metaphor for the dark parts of the human experience, showing Quincy how hope can still shine through one’s worst moments. Quincy carries this lesson with her throughout her healing journey.