Chapter Thirty-Nine: Lucy – Summary & 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.
Summary
Lucy sees her book reviews being taken over by “MURDERER” comments after the podcast interview. She ignores Ben’s worry and drives to Nina’s house. Unannounced, she demands ten minutes. Nina is exhausted and reluctant but steps onto the porch. Lucy warns Nina that she’ll soon be the town’s suspected whore, not her. Nina pales but admits to sleeping with Matt. She didn’t know about the abuse and claims it was just sex. Lucy asks if Nina was ever with Colin; Nina says they hooked up before he dated Savvy, but points out Savvy was not exclusive. Lucy’s hallucination of Savvy becomes incensed, but Lucy accidentally snaps at Savvy aloud, revealing her mental state to Nina. Lucy demands to know why Nina went to Matt’s house the night Savvy died. Nina says she was drunk and wanted to force the affair into the open. She waited outside; Matt arrived and screamed at her to go home, so she left. Lucy asks if Matt was dirty or bloody; Nina says he wasn’t, and insists Matt didn’t kill Savvy because he wasn’t covered in blood like Lucy was. Lucy accuses her of defending Matt out of guilt for the affair. Nina tells Lucy to go fuck herself and slams the door.
Key Events
- Lucy’s book reviews fill with murder accusations.
- She imagines killing Ben but restrains herself.
- Lucy confronts Nina without warning.
- Lucy warns Nina that the podcast will redirect suspicion.
- Nina confesses the affair with Matt and her ignorance of his abuse.
- Nina admits a past hookup with Colin.
- Lucy accidentally speaks to imaginary Savvy in front of Nina.
- Nina recounts her drunken attempt to expose the affair on the night Savvy died.
- Nina defends Matt, noting he wasn’t bloodied.
- Lucy suggests Nina’s defense is guilt-driven.
- Nina slams the door.
Character Development
- Lucy: She displays raw anger and a diminished filter, caring little about social niceties after years of public condemnation. Her hallucination of Savvy is now so real that she responds aloud, shocking herself and Nina. She is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means alienating old friends.
- Nina: Her confession reveals desperation and shame. She was complicit in the affair but seems genuinely unaware of Matt’s violence. Her quick defense of Matt and the pointed mention of blood shows how evidence continues to shield him in the public eye, while Lucy’s bloody appearance condemns her.
- Savvy (hallucination): Savvy’s interjections suggest Lucy’s internal conflict and her need for moral alignment. The hallucination clarifies that Savvy would never sleep with Lucy’s husband, emphasizing the real Savvy’s loyalty, which makes Lucy’s loss even sharper.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Infidelity: The chapter reveals a web of casual sexual relationships that complicate the investigation. Both Nina and Colin are entwined with Savvy and Matt, muddying motives.
- Public Shaming vs. Evidence: The town’s willingness to condemn Lucy contrasts sharply with its protection of Matt, even though both were unfaithful. Nina’s assertion that Matt “wasn’t covered in Savvy’s blood” highlights how physical proof (or its absence) dictates public perception.
- The Unreliable Narrator: Lucy’s hallucination makes her an unreliable narrator, but the chapter also shows that her fractured mind may be coping with trauma and suppressed truths. The accidental aloud reply underscores her tenuous grip on reality.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 39 shifts scrutiny toward Nina, potentially revealing why the case went cold. It raises questions about Matt’s state that night—if he wasn’t bloody, did he clean up? Or was someone else involved? Lucy’s confrontation also mirrors the broader theme of how a community assigns blame, often protecting abusers while vilifying their victims. The chapter ends on a cliff of hostility, leaving Lucy more isolated.
Study Questions & Answers
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Why does Lucy speak aloud to Savvy in front of Nina?
Lucy’s hallucination has become so vivid that she responds without thinking. This slip reveals the depth of her psychological distress and makes Nina question Lucy’s stability, potentially undermining her accusations. -
What does Nina’s description of Matt’s behavior on the night Savvy died suggest?
Matt was agitated and aggressive, shouting at Nina to leave. While Nina insists he wasn’t bloody, his anger could hint at a recent confrontation or guilt. The absence of blood doesn’t clear him; it only means Nina didn’t see any. -
How does the chapter illustrate the theme of victim-blaming?
The town fixated on Lucy’s blood-soaked appearance as proof of guilt, while Matt’s clean appearance absolved him, despite his violent history. Lucy’s affair is used to brand her a “whore,” while Matt’s infidelity and abuse are minimized or ignored.