Chapter 12: December 4–19, 2020 – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Chapter Summary

On December 4, 2020, Bell College President Hubert Crumley announces early campus closure due to rampant COVID-19 infections. By December 7, the spring semester is moved to remote learning. Retired professors Emily and Roddy Harris receive this news with frustration, especially Roddy, who worries about the impact on lab sciences. The cancellation of their annual Christmas party—unbroken since 1992—disappoints Emily deeply.

Determined to preserve tradition, Emily devises a hybrid solution: a Zoom party combined with a local food-and-drink delivery service. She and Roddy hire campus employees dressed as Santa's elves to hand-deliver canapés and beer to attendees in the neighborhood. President Crumley, writer-in-residence Henry Stratton, and many others join via video. The party is a roaring success.

On the night of the party, an elf arrives at 93 Ridge Road—Bonnie Dahl, a former student of Emily and an aspiring writer. Emily charms Bonnie, learns she lives nearby, works at a library, and rides a bicycle for transport. Pretending to be computer illiterate, Emily obtains Bonnie's phone number written on a napkin. After Bonnie leaves, the Harrises discuss her as a strong addition to their "little list of possibles," noting she is not vegan. The chapter ends with them laughing, underscoring their shared sinister purpose.

Key Events

Bell College closes campus and moves spring semester online due to COVID-19.
Emily Harris invents a Zoom party with local food delivery by Santa's elves.
The party occurs on the Saturday before Christmas with excellent attendance.
Bonnie Dahl, a former student, serves as an elf and delivers canapés to the Harris home.
Emily learns Bonnie's personal details and contact information under false pretenses.
The Harrises add Bonnie to their list of potential victims, evaluating her physical fitness and dietary habits.

Character Development

Emily Harris: Demonstrates sharp intelligence, creativity, and manipulative charm. She turns a logistical problem into an opportunity for social engineering, portraying herself as a helpless elder while actively scouting prey.
Roddy Harris: Acts as a supportive partner in the scheme, admiring Bonnie's legs and sharing Emily's assessment. His dry humor and complicity reveal the depth of their partnership.
Bonnie Dahl: Introduced as naïve, enthusiastic, and physically active. Her openness and admiration for Emily make her an easy target. She represents the archetypal trusting victim the Harrises prefer.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Deception and masks: The literal Santa masks worn by elves parallel the Harrises' figurative masks of normalcy and generosity. They hide murderous intent behind holiday cheer.
COVID-19 as a backdrop for predation: The pandemic provides the Harrises with a plausible reason for intimate home deliveries, enabling them to approach vulnerable individuals without suspicion.
Appearance vs. reality: The joyful party masks a recruitment operation. The "genius" idea is praised, but the reader recognizes the evil behind the good deed.
Control and planning: The Harrises systematically maintain a list of "possibles," emphasizing their methodical approach to selecting victims.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter reveals the Harrises' adaptability and resourcefulness in modern circumstances. Using a Zoom party and delivery service demonstrates their ability to exploit new technologies and social norms to continue their predatory activity. It also introduces Bonnie Dahl as a specific potential victim, raising stakes for the reader. The chapter deepens our understanding of the couple's partnership: Emily's cunning strategy and Roddy's practical support work in seamless harmony. Their casual discussion of Bonnie's vegan status highlights the chilling banality of their evil.

Study Questions and Answers

How does Emily Harris manipulate Bonnie Dahl into giving her contact information under false pretenses?
Emily feigns computer illiteracy and claims she might have a future odd job for Bonnie, prompting Bonnie to write her phone number on a napkin. In reality, Emily intends to use the information to groom Bonnie as a victim.
What role does the COVID-19 pandemic play in enabling the Harrises' plans in this chapter?
The pandemic provides a socially acceptable reason for the Zoom party and the delivery service. It allows the Harrises to interact with potential victims in their homes without raising suspicion, and the shutdown gives them more time to pursue their "list of possibles."
Why do the Harrises consider Bonnie a "good addition" to their list, and what detail about her diet matters to them?
Bonnie is young, physically fit (she bicycles everywhere), naive in her admiration, and has no apparent close ties. The Harrises specifically note with relief that she is not vegan, implying they require victims who fit—or do not complicate—their dietary preferences for cannibalism.