Chapter 24 (Maya): Summary, Key Events, 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.

Summary

The chapter opens on the day of Naomi's funeral, two weeks after her death. Maya arrives at Margaret's French chateau-style home in Greenwich, Connecticut, with Nate and her daughter Dani. The sky is dark and heavy, mirroring Maya's inner turmoil. She reflects on her last phone conversation with Naomi, which was an argument, and feels a wave of guilt, wishing she could redo it. She remembers Margaret's comment about being too hard on Naomi, and realizes how difficult it must have been for Naomi to have both of them worrying about her constantly. Maya also recalls a memory from when Naomi was sixteen, where Naomi expressed a desire to have her ashes scattered over the ocean so she could be free, rather than being trapped in a box like their mother.

The funeral service takes place on the back lawn. Daisy and Zalikah speak, and then Naomi's thesis advisor, Fiona Williams, delivers a eulogy. Fiona describes Naomi's thesis, which was about how women have been silenced throughout history for upsetting the status quo. She vows to continue Naomi's mission and not let another young woman be silenced in her grave. Maya's mind wanders to the note she found in Naomi's room—a note from someone apologizing for the night before—and she questions who Naomi was with in Manhattan and why the police had asked Matthew for an alibi. She spots Liam in the crowd and suspects him, recalling his angry outburst.

When Maya is called to the podium, she struggles to speak but eventually makes a bold public declaration: she states that Naomi's death was not an accident, that someone did this to her, and she asks anyone with information to come forward. She feels embarrassed afterward and takes anxiety medication. She retreats into the house and finds Naomi's old bedroom, which is preserved exactly as it was when Naomi was a teenager. While there, she notices a stuck desk drawer and, after prying the desk from the wall, discovers a hidden leather notebook. The notebook contains Naomi's messy research notes on the Hunt scandal, including bullet points about gift money, down payments, and a list of names under Hunt Investment Group Sources. Most strikingly, it contains a question written in all caps: WHO KILLED LILA JONES?

As Maya is reading, Matthew's fiancée, Sara, enters the room. Sara offers condolences and suggests financial help, but Maya senses insincerity—she notices Sara's clenched fists and a change in tone. Nate interrupts, and Sara quickly leaves, giving a warm smile that Maya finds unsettling.

Key Events

Maya arrives at Naomi's funeral with Nate and Dani, and reflects on her last argument with Naomi.
Fiona Williams gives a eulogy about Naomi's thesis on silenced women.
Maya publicly declares that Naomi's death was not an accident and asks for information.
She takes anxiety medication and retreats to Naomi's bedroom.
She discovers a hidden leather notebook behind a stuck desk drawer.
The notebook contains research on the Hunt scandal and a question about Lila Jones.
Sara, Matthew's fiancée, enters and offers financial help, but Maya finds her insincere.
Nate interrupts, and Sara leaves.

Character Development

Maya is consumed by grief and guilt. She regrets her last conversation with Naomi and wishes she could redo it. Her overprotectiveness is revealed as a source of tension, but she also comes to understand that making mistakes is part of growing up. Her public accusation at the funeral shows her determination to seek the truth, even at the cost of social embarrassment. She also struggles with anxiety, relying on medication to cope.

Sara is introduced as a seemingly sympathetic figure, but her behavior is off-putting. Maya notices her clenched fists and a subtle disdain in her expression, suggesting that Sara may have ulterior motives. Her offer of financial help feels performative, and her quick exit when Nate arrives raises suspicion.

Nate provides steady support for Maya, offering a reassuring nod during her speech and checking on her afterward. His presence interrupts Sara's conversation, hinting that he may be protective of Maya.

Fiona Williams is a minor but significant character, as her eulogy directly connects Naomi's thesis to the theme of silenced women, which resonates with Maya's suspicion that Naomi was silenced.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Grief and mourning: The funeral setting and Maya's emotional turmoil highlight the rawness of loss. Maya's memory of Naomi's wish to have her ashes scattered over the ocean contrasts with the traditional urn, symbolizing Naomi's desire for freedom even in death.
Guilt and regret: Maya's guilt over her last argument with Naomi is a recurring motif. She wishes she could redo the conversation, and Margaret's comment about being too hard on Naomi deepens her regret.
Silenced women: Fiona's eulogy about Naomi's thesis on silenced women directly ties to the mystery. Maya's public declaration that Naomi's death was not an accident suggests that Naomi may have been silenced for uncovering something.
Hidden secrets: The hidden notebook behind the stuck drawer symbolizes the secrets Naomi was investigating. The notebook's contents—research on the Hunt scandal and a question about Lila Jones—imply that Naomi was digging into dangerous territory.
Performative sympathy: Sara's offer of financial help and her warm smile feel insincere to Maya, highlighting the theme of people hiding their true intentions.
Overprotectiveness vs. independence: Maya's realization that she and Margaret were too overprotective of Naomi reflects a broader theme about the balance between caring and allowing someone to make their own mistakes.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the novel. Maya's public accusation at the funeral shifts the narrative from a private investigation to a public one, putting pressure on those who might know something. The discovery of the hidden notebook connects Naomi's death to the Hunt scandal and the unresolved mystery of Lila Jones, suggesting that Naomi was investigating a larger conspiracy. Additionally, the introduction of Sara as a suspicious figure adds a new layer of tension, as Maya's distrust of Matthew extends to his fiancée. This chapter deepens the mystery and sets the stage for Maya's continued pursuit of the truth.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Maya feel guilty about her last conversation with Naomi?

Maya feels guilty because she argued with Naomi on the phone and now wishes she could redo the conversation. She also realizes that both she and Margaret were overprotective, which may have added pressure on Naomi.

What does Fiona Williams's eulogy reveal about Naomi's thesis and its significance?

Fiona reveals that Naomi's thesis was about how women have been silenced throughout history for upsetting the status quo. This resonates with Maya's suspicion that Naomi was silenced, and Fiona's vow to continue Naomi's mission underscores the theme.

What does the hidden notebook contain, and why is it important?

The notebook contains Naomi's research notes on the Hunt scandal, including bullet points about gift money and down payments, and a list of names under Hunt Investment Group Sources. It also contains a question about who killed Lila Jones, suggesting that Naomi was investigating a connection between the scandal and a possible murder.

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