I Have Some Questions for You: 15 Essential Questions and Answers

1. Why does Bodie Kane return to Granby School to teach a mini‑mester course?

Bodie’s return is driven by multiple motives: the fee, the chance to see her long‑distance lover Yahav, her ego, and a lingering unease connected to Thalia Keith’s murder. She also subconsciously hopes to uncover answers about a former teacher she addresses as “you,” though she isn’t yet consciously angry.

In Chapters 2–5, Bodie reflects on her mixed feelings about Granby and her adolescent insecurity. The return triggers painful memories and reopens old wounds, setting the stage for her hidden investigative purpose.

2. How does the “firefly incident” in Chapter 12 expose the unreliability of memory and gossip?

During a firefly show, Danish exchange student Bendt Jensen mistakes the insects for UFOs and later embellishes the moment. Only Thalia stays behind with a teacher, and gossip quickly turns this into a physical encounter. Bodie later uses the story to teach her students about the uncanny valley and false assumptions.

The incident shows how a kernel of truth can be distorted into a solid‑seeming narrative. Bodie realizes she and Carlotta similarly constructed a story about Thalia and the teacher, just as Bendt constructed one about the lights.

3. What does Beth Docherty’s confrontation with Bodie in Chapter 87 reveal about hidden trauma at Granby?

Beth reveals that music teacher Mr. Bloch touched many students, including herself, under the guise of teaching singing. She also describes how her boyfriend Dorian secretly filmed them having sex and how a stolen sex survey humiliated her. Beth accuses Bodie of forcing her to relive those years by bringing the case into the podcast.

This confrontation exposes the culture of abuse and betrayal that pervaded the school. Bodie apologizes for gossiping about Beth in the past, and the scene deepens the theme of complicity among students who normalized predatory behaviour.

4. What is the significance of the “Dick List” (Chapter 24) compared to the Thalia Bingo sheet?

The “Dick List” was a catalogue of male genitalia created by Carlotta and Sakina John as a form of revenge against boys who sexually harassed them. Bodie argues it was a retaliatory, not predatory, document. In contrast, the Thalia Bingo sheet objectified Thalia as a sexual target.

The chapter explores the double standard in documenting male vs. female bodies. Bodie points out that while the bingo sheet put Thalia in danger, the Dick List was a way for girls to reclaim power. The distinction underscores the ethical line between self‑defence and exploitation.

5. How does the discovery of blood in the equipment shed (Chapter 72) change the case against Omar Evans?

Britt’s chemistry class uses luminol to find blood that is later confirmed as Thalia’s. The shed was never searched by police, and the evidence undermines the original prosecution’s timeline and theory. This discovery becomes the centerpiece of the podcast She Is Drowned.

The chapter shows how amateur investigation can uncover what professionals missed. The blood evidence supported the defence’s argument that the real killer used a different access point, eventually leading to a post‑conviction relief hearing.

6. Why does Bodie manipulate true‑crime sleuth Dane Rubra in Chapter 80?

Bodie deliberately feeds Dane a fabricated story about overhearing a threatening phone call from music director Dennis Bloch to Thalia. She wants to redirect his obsessive attention away from Robbie Serenho, whom she now suspects is the real killer. She feels no remorse for the manipulation.

This act raises ethical questions about vigilante justice. Bodie knows the misinformation will prompt Dane to investigate Bloch, potentially costing an innocent man his reputation. She prioritises justice for Thalia and Omar over truthfulness, illustrating her willingness to play with fire.

7. What does the yearbook inscription “Don’t start collecting things” from Oklahoma! mean?

In Chapter 37, Bodie photographs Thalia’s yearbook page and later realises the line is a coded confession. The lyric from the musical suggests Thalia and Denny Bloch were in love, and the phrase “collecting things” refers to the souvenirs he might have kept. This clue points to Bloch’s deeper involvement.

The encrypted message shows how Thalia tried to communicate her secret relationship. Bodie’s discovery reorients the investigation toward a suspect the police had overlooked. It also reinforces the theme that art and literature can hide profound truths.

8. How does Bodie interpret the coloured dots and X’s in Thalia’s planner?

Bodie decodes the red dots, blue X’s, and purple X’s as a menstrual‑tracking system she taught Thalia. She later realises the purple X’s correlate with Denny Bloch’s schedule, not Robbie’s. This interpretation becomes key to placing Bloch at the scene.

In Chapter 65, Vanessa Keith confirms the purple X’s cannot match Robbie during a ski weekend. The planner evidence never made it into court, but it provides a vital link between Thalia and Bloch. The dots represent Bodie’s intimate knowledge of Thalia’s habits and her growing conviction that Bloch was involved.

9. What does the mud on Robbie Serenho’s sweatshirt (Chapter 90) suggest?

Examining photos from the murder night, Alder notices mud on Robbie’s sweatshirt that matches a bike pattern. They reconstruct a timeline showing Robbie could have left the play early, taken a child’s bike, returned to campus, and fabricated his alibi at the mattress party.

This physical clue shifts suspicion toward Robbie. Bodie admits she had been focused on “you” and overlooked Robbie’s opportunity. The mud evidence becomes a linchpin in the theory that Robbie killed Thalia and covered it up.

10. How does Bodie’s interview with Mike Stiles (Chapter 93) reveal alibi manufacturing?

Bodie gets Mike drunk and records him revealing a key miscommunication: Robbie thought Thalia was meeting him at the mattresses, while Thalia thought he was meeting her at the shed. Mike also discloses that Robbie insisted on immediately developing photos to prove Thalia was not with them.

This confession exposes how Robbie orchestrated the group’s statements to create a solid alibi. Mike’s guilt over not telling police earlier mirrors the book’s theme of collective complicity. Bodie now has concrete evidence of cover‑up.

11. What is the effect of the “you” killer’s perspective in Chapter 66?

The chapter, written in second person, shows the killer’s thought process during the murder. He composes himself after the attack, washes his clothes, and returns to bed with his wife. The coldness of his compartmentalisation contrasts with the emotional weight of the rest of the novel.

This direct address forces the reader into the role of the perpetrator, creating discomfort. It reveals that the killer is a married teacher, capable of staging the scene and maintaining an outward appearance of normalcy. The chapter also explains why Bodie has been addressing “you” throughout.

12. Why does Bodie feel guilt about mentioning Thalia’s drug use to police?

In Chapter 48, Bodie realises she was the only interviewee who brought up drugs. That small comment may have helped police construct a motive for Omar Evans, ultimately leading to his wrongful conviction. She wrestles with the consequences of her attempt to be helpful.

The retrieved evidence shows detectives then asked every other witness about drugs, and other students’ memories gradually shifted to include Omar’s alleged drug‑dealing. Bodie’s guilt deepens when she learns that her story may have been used to frame an innocent man.

13. How does the Jerome–Jasmine Wilde scandal mirror Bodie’s re‑examination of high school relationships?

When Jerome is accused of a predatory relationship with a younger woman, Bodie is forced to reassess her own marriage and the power dynamics at play. She wonders how she would have perceived Jerome if she were a young artist, and the scandal echoes her earlier doubts about the teacher she admired.

Chapter 21 shows Bodie reading Jasmine’s performance art piece and feeling a mix of defensiveness and recognition. This parallel investigation into a contemporary case highlights the difficulty of judging past actions by present standards. It also reinforces Bodie’s growing awareness of how easily she might have misjudged people.

14. What is the symbolism of Bodie’s childhood trauma (Chapter 8) and how does it shape her narrative?

Bodie’s brother Ace accidentally killed their father by pushing him off a porch, and Ace later died from a fall. Her mother sank into depression, and Bodie was taken in by the well‑off Robeson family. This backstory explains her need to control her own story and her habit of hiding her true self.

The trauma informs Bodie’s determination to find closure for Thalia and her identification with other silent victims. It also clarifies why she hesitates to fully trust others and why she is drawn to investigate the past. The chapter establishes the emotional foundation for her entire quest.

15. Why does the novel end with Bodie scattering Carlotta’s ashes (Chapter 110) and a sense of hope?

Bodie returns to Granby, walks on South Bridge, and scatters part of Carlotta’s ashes in the Tigerwhip. Despite the denial of Omar’s retrial, she feels light and notices spring growth. She reflects on hope, time, and the plants she learned in biology class.

The ending suggests that even when justice remains incomplete, life continues. Bodie honours her friend’s memory and finds solace in nature and the small acts of remembrance. The chapter closes with a note of endurance, acceptance, and the possibility of moving forward.