Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, rape, and mental illness.

“I’ve never killed anyone before. I’m not a murderer. I’m a good person. I don’t lie. I don’t cheat. I don’t steal. I hardly ever even raise my voice. There are very few things I’ve done in my life that I’m ashamed of. Yet here I am. […] I did this for a good reason after all. It was the only way.”

The Prologue doesn’t identify its narrator or the murder victim, immediately creating intrigue. Further, the narrator’s claims in this quote introduce one of the book’s central themes, The Complex Ethics of Rationalization. The narrator’s protests that they are a “good person,” and the repetition of evidence to support it, creates the sense of a desperate need to justify the action.

“‘You are going to be very sorry, sweetheart,’ he says. ‘And even sorrier if you try to go to the police. It’s your word against mine, and nobody will believe you. You don’t have one ounce of proof, and I will make sure you get destroyed in court.’”

Simon’s threats exemplify the barriers that many women face in the aftermath of rape. Tegan is forced to choose between justice and security. Even if she pursues justice, Simon’s wealth and power make it an uphill battle, and she may end up with neither. Her decision to press charges, despite his threats, is guided by the kind of world she wants for her daughter: one where rapists are held accountable. It’s a choice that characterizes her and illuminates her primary motivation while establishing the theme of The Psychological Influence of Maternal Instinct.

“And with my injured ankle and giant belly, escape will be near impossible. I’ll be his prisoner as long as he wants me to be.”

Creating high stakes makes conflict more compelling, and psychological thrillers rely on such high stakes to escalate tension and suspense. Tegan’s circumstances after her car crash raise the stakes by introducing the idea of captivity and helplessness.