Tragic Encounter on Manhattan Street

Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, finds herself in a traumatic situation when she witnesses a man being fatally struck by a truck on a busy Manhattan street. The incident leaves her shaken and covered in the man's blood. In the aftermath, she is helped by a stranger named Jeremy Crawford, who offers her comfort and assistance. This chance encounter forms an unexpected connection between them. Lowen is in New York for a crucial meeting with a publisher, hoping to secure a job that could alleviate her financial struggles.

Unexpected Offer from Pantem Press

During her meeting at Pantem Press, Lowen discovers that Jeremy is the husband of Verity Crawford, a famous author who is unable to complete her book series due to a car accident. The publisher offers Lowen a lucrative contract to finish Verity's series, a proposal that could save her from eviction. Despite her initial hesitation, Jeremy's encouragement and the promise of anonymity under a pen name persuade her to accept the offer, providing her with a much-needed lifeline.

Meeting the Crawford Family

Lowen travels to the Crawford residence in Vermont to begin her work on Verity's series. She meets Jeremy's young son, Crew, and is introduced to Verity, who is in a vegetative state. The grand house exudes an eerie atmosphere, and Lowen is given the master bedroom and access to Verity's office to find notes and outlines for the series. The presence of Verity, though incapacitated, is unsettling for Lowen, adding to the tension in the household.

Verity's Haunting Manuscript Discovered

While searching through Verity's office, Lowen stumbles upon an unfinished autobiography titled "So Be It." The manuscript reveals Verity's dark and twisted thoughts, including her resentment towards her children and attempts to abort them. Horrified by Verity's confessions, Lowen becomes increasingly uneasy about staying in the house, as the manuscript paints a chilling picture of Verity's manipulative nature.

Unsettling Moments in the Crawford Home

Lowen experiences a series of unsettling events in the Crawford home, such as Verity seemingly making eye contact with her and Crew's mysterious injury involving a knife. These incidents, combined with the disturbing content of Verity's manuscript, make Lowen question her safety and sanity. Despite her growing fear, she is drawn to Jeremy and the complexity of his situation, finding herself caught between her professional duties and personal feelings.

Secrets Unravel in the Night

Lowen, plagued by sleepwalking, finds herself in Verity's room, raising questions about her subconscious fears. Jeremy comforts her, but the incident deepens her anxiety about Verity's presence. Lowen's past trauma resurfaces, revealing her struggle with sleepwalking and its potential dangers. Jeremy's protective nature is evident, but Lowen's unease grows as she questions Verity's true state.

Verity's Deceptive Stillness Exposed

Lowen becomes increasingly suspicious of Verity's vegetative state, especially after witnessing unsettling moments that suggest Verity might be faking. Her paranoia peaks when she sees Verity standing, but Jeremy dismisses her fears. Lowen's discovery of Verity's manuscript adds to her doubts, as it paints a chilling picture of Verity's manipulative nature.

A Shocking Revelation in Writing

While clearing out Verity's belongings, Lowen finds a letter that contradicts the manuscript's dark confessions. The letter claims the manuscript was a writing exercise, not a true account. This revelation shakes Lowen, as it suggests Verity might have been innocent, and Jeremy's actions were based on a lie. The letter's implications threaten to unravel the life Lowen and Jeremy have built.

The Final Confrontation Unfolds

Jeremy, driven by the manuscript's revelations, confronts Verity, leading to a violent struggle. Lowen intervenes, fearing for Jeremy's future. Together, they decide to end Verity's life, believing she poses a threat. The act is shrouded in moral ambiguity, as they grapple with the possibility of Verity's innocence. The tension between truth and deception reaches its peak.

A New Beginning Amidst Chaos

With Verity gone, Lowen and Jeremy attempt to move forward, building a life together. They relocate, seeking a fresh start away from the shadows of the past. Lowen is pregnant, and they focus on creating a stable environment for Crew and their unborn child. Despite the lingering doubts, they find solace in each other, determined to protect their new family.

The Truth Buried Forever

Lowen decides to destroy Verity's letter, choosing to protect Jeremy from the devastating truth. She rationalizes that revealing the letter would only cause more harm. The decision to keep the secret weighs heavily on her, but she prioritizes Jeremy's peace of mind. The truth about Verity's intentions remains buried, leaving Lowen to live with the consequences of her choice.

Characters

Lowen Ashleigh

Lowen is a talented but financially struggling author who becomes entangled in a web of deceit and danger. Her journey is marked by a struggle between her instincts and the unsettling reality of Verity's world. As she uncovers dark secrets, Lowen's resolve is tested, leading her to make morally complex decisions to protect those she loves. Her introspective nature and growing attraction to Jeremy add layers to her character, making her both relatable and compelling.

Jeremy Crawford

Jeremy is Verity's husband, a man burdened by tragedy and responsibility. His love for his children drives him to desperate measures, culminating in a confrontation with Verity. Jeremy's journey is one of redemption and survival, as he navigates the murky waters of truth and deception to protect his family. His interactions with Lowen reveal a compassionate yet deeply conflicted man, struggling to maintain normalcy for his son, Crew.

Verity Crawford

Verity is a renowned author who is incapacitated after a car accident. Her manuscript reveals a dark and manipulative personality, filled with jealousy and resentment towards her own children. However, a discovered letter suggests a different narrative, leaving her true nature ambiguous. Verity's presence looms large, even in her supposed incapacitation, creating an atmosphere of tension and fear.

Crew Crawford

Crew is the young son of Jeremy and Verity, caught in the crossfire of his parents' tumultuous relationship. He is a typical child, curious and playful, but his interactions with Lowen and Jeremy hint at the emotional impact of his sisters' deaths and his mother's condition. Crew's innocence and vulnerability highlight the impact of the family's secrets, as he becomes a symbol of hope and renewal for Lowen and Jeremy.

April

April is Verity's nurse, responsible for her daily care. She is cautious and observant, particularly of Lowen's presence in the house. April's interactions with Lowen suggest she is wary of outsiders and protective of Verity's privacy, adding another layer of tension to the household dynamics.

Plot Devices

Verity's Manuscript

The manuscript serves as a pivotal plot device, revealing Verity's dark thoughts and actions. It creates tension and suspense, driving the narrative forward as Lowen and Jeremy grapple with its implications. The manuscript's authenticity is questioned, adding layers of complexity to the story and forcing characters to confront the possibility of deception.

Verity's Letter

The letter found by Lowen offers a stark contrast to the manuscript, suggesting Verity's innocence. It introduces doubt and moral ambiguity, forcing Lowen to confront the possibility that their actions were based on a lie. The letter's existence raises questions about truth and manipulation, leaving a lasting impact on the characters' lives and the choices they make.

The Crawford Home

The Crawford home is both a sanctuary and a prison, filled with memories of the past and the weight of present tragedies. Its eerie atmosphere and isolated location heighten the sense of unease and suspense, serving as a backdrop for Lowen's discoveries and interactions with the Crawford family. The home becomes a character in its own right, influencing the events and emotions of those within it.

Analysis

"Verity" by Colleen Hoover delves into the complexities of truth, deception, and the moral ambiguities that arise from them. The novel challenges readers to question the reliability of narratives and the motivations behind actions. Through the lens of Lowen's journey, the story explores themes of love, loss, and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about. The tension between Verity's manuscript and the discovered letter serves as a metaphor for the duality of human nature, prompting readers to consider the impact of secrets and the consequences of choices. Ultimately, "Verity" is a gripping psychological thriller that leaves readers pondering the nature of truth and the shadows it casts.