What is What Have You Done? about?

• Small town, big crime: The story centers on the murder of a young woman, Diana Brewer, in the seemingly peaceful town of Fairhill, Vermont, and the subsequent investigation that uncovers hidden secrets and complex relationships within the community.
• Unreliable narrators, shifting perspectives: The narrative explores the perspectives of various characters, including Diana's friends, family, and potential suspects, revealing their individual biases and motivations as the truth behind her death is slowly revealed.
• Psychological thriller, suspenseful plot: The novel is a suspenseful psychological thriller that focuses on the emotional impact of the crime on the community and the unraveling of the truth through a series of twists and turns.

Why should I read What Have You Done??

• Intricate plot, suspenseful pacing: Shari Lapena masterfully crafts a suspenseful plot with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers engaged and guessing until the very end.
• Complex characters, hidden motivations: The novel features a cast of complex characters with hidden motivations and secrets, making it a compelling exploration of human nature and the darkness that can lie beneath the surface.
• Exploration of community, social dynamics: The story delves into the dynamics of a small town, highlighting the impact of a crime on the community and the way it exposes the hidden tensions and secrets within.

What is the background of What Have You Done??

• Rural Vermont setting: The story is set in the fictional small town of Fairhill, Vermont, a rural community surrounded by farmland and mountains, which creates a sense of isolation and amplifies the impact of the crime.
• Contemporary context, social media: The novel is set in a contemporary time, with references to social media and technology, which play a role in the lives of the characters and the spread of information.
• Small-town dynamics, interconnected lives: The story explores the dynamics of a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else, and how a crime can disrupt the sense of safety and trust.

What are the most memorable quotes in What Have You Done??

• "Nothing ever happens in sleepy little Fairhill, Vermont. Until it does.": This opening line sets the stage for the story, highlighting the contrast between the town's peaceful facade and the shocking events that unfold.
• "She's been strangled...With what, though? And where are her clothes?": This quote underscores the brutality of the crime and the mystery surrounding it, emphasizing the lack of clues and the unsettling nature of the discovery.
• "It's quite possible that it was someone that she knew.": This line foreshadows the revelation that the killer is someone close to Diana, adding to the suspense and highlighting the betrayal at the heart of the story.

What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Shari Lapena use?

• Multiple perspectives, shifting viewpoints: Lapena employs a multi-perspective narrative, shifting between the viewpoints of various characters, which creates suspense and allows readers to see the events from different angles.
• Foreshadowing, subtle clues: The author uses subtle foreshadowing and clues throughout the story, which keeps readers guessing and adds to the suspenseful atmosphere.
• Psychological realism, emotional depth: Lapena focuses on the psychological tension and emotional states of her characters, creating a sense of realism and allowing readers to connect with their inner conflicts and motivations.

Hidden Details & Subtle Connections

What are some minor details that add significant meaning?

• The jump rope, a symbol of innocence lost: The detail of Diana's jump rope, usually hanging on her doorknob, being missing after her death, becomes a significant clue, later revealed to be the murder weapon, symbolizing the loss of her innocence and the brutality of her death.
• The black leather gloves, a sign of premeditation: The detail of the black leather gloves worn by the killer, as remembered by Diana, highlights the premeditated nature of the crime and the coldness of the perpetrator.
• The abandoned road, a hidden path: The mention of an abandoned road near the field where Diana's body was found, a place known to Cameron, becomes a crucial detail, suggesting a planned route for the killer to transport her body.

What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?

• The vultures, a grim omen: The opening scene with the vultures circling over Roy Ressler's field foreshadows the discovery of Diana's body and the grim events that follow, creating a sense of unease from the beginning.
• The ghost stories, a hint of the supernatural: The characters' discussion of ghost stories and the local legend of Emily at the covered bridge foreshadows the later revelation of Diana's spirit and the possibility of a supernatural presence.
• Cameron's possessiveness, a warning sign: Cameron's possessive behavior towards Diana, constantly touching her and following her, foreshadows his controlling nature and his potential for violence, which is later revealed.

What are some unexpected character connections?

• Brad Turner and the Ressler family: The connection between Brad Turner and the Ressler family, through his engagement to their daughter Ellen, adds a layer of complexity to the story, as it places him in close proximity to the location where Diana's body was found.
• Joe Prior and Katie Cantor: The revelation that Joe Prior was previously questioned in connection with the disappearance of Katie Cantor, another young woman, creates a chilling parallel and suggests a pattern of behavior.
• Graham Kelly and Cally Desjardins: The revelation of Graham Kelly's affair with Cally Desjardins, a young teacher, adds a layer of complexity to his character and highlights his hypocrisy, as he is also the one who is supposed to be protecting the students.

Who are the most significant supporting characters?

• Shelby and Edward Farrell, Cameron's parents: Cameron's parents, Shelby and Edward, are significant supporting characters, as their reactions to the investigation and their attempts to protect their son reveal the complexities of parental love and denial.
• Sadie Kelly, a minor character with major impact: Sadie Kelly, Principal Kelly's daughter, is a minor character, but her role in bullying Taylor and her presence at the Ouija board session with Diana and Riley, adds to the complexity of the story.
• Rodney Donnelly, a false alibi: Rodney Donnelly, Joe Prior's friend, is a significant supporting character, as his false alibi for Prior becomes a crucial element in the investigation and highlights the deception surrounding Diana's death.

Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis

What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?

• Evan's unrequited love, a hidden motive: Evan's unspoken love for Diana and his jealousy of Cameron are revealed as the underlying motivations for his actions, highlighting the destructive power of unrequited feelings.
• Brad's desire for control, a dark secret: Brad's unspoken desire for control over his students, particularly the young girls, is revealed as a key aspect of his character, highlighting his predatory nature and his need for power.
• Kelly's fear of exposure, a driving force: Graham Kelly's unspoken fear of exposure and the potential damage to his career and reputation drive his actions, leading him to cover up Diana's complaint and ultimately contribute to the tragedy.

What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?

• Cameron's possessiveness, a sign of insecurity: Cameron's possessiveness and controlling behavior towards Diana reveal his deep-seated insecurities and his inability to cope with the idea of losing her.
• Brenda's grief, a mix of emotions: Brenda's grief is portrayed as a complex mix of sadness, anger, guilt, and a desperate need to connect with her deceased daughter, highlighting the psychological tension of loss.
• Riley's anxiety, a manifestation of trauma: Riley's anxiety and her obsession with finding Diana's killer reveal the psychological tension of the trauma she has experienced, as she struggles to cope with the loss of her best friend.

What are the major emotional turning points?

• Riley's discovery of the phone, a turning point: Riley's discovery of Diana's phone under Evan's bed is a major emotional turning point, as it shatters her trust in her friend and forces her to confront the truth about his involvement in Diana's death.
• Ellen's reading of the file, a moment of truth: Ellen's reading of the file detailing Diana's complaint against Brad is a major emotional turning point, as it forces her to confront the possibility that her fiancé is not who she thought he was.
• Edward's realization of Cameron's lies, a moment of despair: Edward's realization that Cameron has been lying to him about his whereabouts on the night of Diana's murder is a major emotional turning point, as it shatters his belief in his son's innocence and leads him to question everything.

How do relationship dynamics evolve?

• Riley and Evan's friendship, a betrayal of trust: The relationship between Riley and Evan evolves from a close friendship to a deep betrayal, as Riley discovers that Evan is the murderer, highlighting the fragility of trust and the devastating impact of deception.
• Ellen and Brad's engagement, a shattered illusion: The relationship between Ellen and Brad evolves from a seemingly loving engagement to a shattered illusion, as Ellen is forced to confront the truth about Brad's inappropriate behavior and his potential involvement in Diana's death.
• Brenda and Lee's marriage, a history of neglect: The relationship between Brenda and her ex-husband, Lee, is revealed as a history of neglect and emotional distance, highlighting the impact of their failed marriage on their daughter's life.

Interpretation & Debate

Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?

• The extent of Brad's inappropriate behavior: The extent of Brad Turner's inappropriate behavior towards his students remains somewhat ambiguous, as the story leaves it open to interpretation whether he was a predator or simply made some bad choices.
• The nature of Diana's spirit: The nature of Diana's spirit and her ability to communicate with the living remains ambiguous, leaving it open to interpretation whether her presence is real or a manifestation of the characters' grief and guilt.
• The full truth of Cameron's actions: The full truth of Cameron's actions on the night of Diana's death remains somewhat ambiguous, as the story leaves it open to interpretation whether he was simply trying to cover up his lies or if he was more involved in her death.

What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in What Have You Done??

• The Ouija board scene, a question of belief: The scene where Riley, Diana, and Sadie use a homemade Ouija board to contact spirits is a debatable moment, as it raises questions about the supernatural and the characters' beliefs in the afterlife.
• The handling of Diana's complaint, a moral dilemma: The way Principal Kelly handles Diana's complaint against Brad Turner is a controversial moment, as it raises questions about his responsibility to protect his students and the consequences of his inaction.
• The ending, a question of justice: The ending, with Evan's arrest, is a debatable moment, as it leaves readers to ponder whether justice has truly been served and whether the characters will ever be able to fully recover from the tragedy.

What Have You Done? Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means

• Evan's arrest, a shocking revelation: The ending reveals that Evan Carr, Diana's friend, is the murderer, a shocking twist that subverts expectations and highlights the darkness that can lie beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary individuals.
• Turner's downfall, a consequence of actions: The ending sees Brad Turner arrested for Diana's murder, a consequence of his inappropriate behavior and the lies he told, highlighting the importance of accountability and the impact of unchecked desires.
• Community's grief, a lasting impact: The ending leaves the community grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy, highlighting the lasting impact of violence and the importance of truth and justice in the face of loss.