Chapter 37 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.

Summary

The chapter opens with Izzy reclining on a chartreuse chaise in the sitting room while Kassidy naps. Izzy reflects on the impending return to Bar Harbor and the dread of facing her mother and sister, Caye, knowing that the police might soon discover the knife she brought. She decides to search for Blaine's burner phone, hoping to retrieve it before the detectives do.

While the others prepare for dinner, Izzy searches the hallway furniture, vases, and curtains, but finds nothing. Through a window, she spots Ellison hurrying toward the pine forest in the storm, glancing back as if to avoid being followed. She also hears a lock click and sees Fergus heading downstairs, likely for a drink.

Izzy then checks the storage closet on the servants' staircase, digging through towels and toiletries. As she closes the door, she is startled by Pilar de León, who questions her about her presence. Pilar asks about Kassidy's condition and whether Izzy has any new information for the case. Izzy almost confesses but holds back, insisting she has told everything. Pilar mentions that she will return to New York after the case and that she has never failed to solve one, though one cold case still haunts her.

At dinner, the detectives join the group, and the atmosphere is surreal—they sip wine and eat cucumber soup as if they were guests. Pilar asks Izzy about her family, specifically her father. Izzy reveals that her father was deported and now works in a restaurant, and she shares a memory of him making salsa for her as a child. Marlowe touches her knee under the table, and Izzy feels a mix of warmth and anxiety.

After dinner, Izzy uses the hidden passage to eavesdrop on Pilar and Detective Cates. She learns that Pilar came to the United States illegally as a teenager and now stays on a work visa tied to her consulting work. Pilar also reveals that some of her family members have been deported, and she mentions a case in Chicago that was actually a missing persons search. The conversation is interrupted by a maid, and the detectives leave for a nightcap.

Izzy returns to the library, where Marlowe is waiting. They talk about the case and Izzy's secret. Marlowe suggests she consider telling the police, which angers Izzy. She accuses him of lecturing from a place of privilege. But her anger fades, and she reflects on her choices. She thinks about her father's saying about an eye for an eye, and concludes that the only way to stop the cycle is to take responsibility herself. She realizes she may have to confess to bringing the knife, and that if she had done so earlier, Blaine might still be alive.

Key Events

Izzy searches the manor for Blaine's burner phone, checking hallway furniture, vases, and curtains.
She spots Ellison heading into the pine forest during the storm and sees Fergus going downstairs.
Pilar de León catches Izzy in the storage closet and questions her about Kassidy and the case.
At dinner, Pilar asks Izzy about her father, leading Izzy to reveal his deportation and share a personal memory.
After dinner, Izzy eavesdrops on Pilar and Detective Cates, learning Pilar's immigration history and her family's deportations.
Marlowe confronts Izzy about her secret and suggests she consider telling the police.
Izzy initially reacts with anger, then reflects and decides she may have to take responsibility for bringing the knife.

Character Development

Izzy undergoes a significant internal shift in this chapter. Her guilt intensifies as she searches for the phone, and she nearly confesses to Pilar. Her anger at Marlowe's suggestion reveals her fear of losing everything she has worked for, but her subsequent reflection shows growth. She moves from self-preservation to a recognition that she must stop the cycle of violence, even if it means sacrificing herself.

Marlowe emerges as a moral counterweight. He is supportive but also challenges Izzy, urging her to consider the ethical implications of her secret. His comment about trading her future for someone else's forces Izzy to confront her choices.

Pilar de León is humanized through her confession to Cates. Her illegal immigration and family deportations parallel Izzy's own experience, creating a subtle bond between them. Her warning to Izzy about treating Kassidy like a china doll hints at her protective instincts.

Kassidy remains fragile, sleeping and crying, highlighting the emotional toll of Blaine's death.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Guilt and Confession: Izzy's desire to confess is palpable, but she suppresses it. Her eventual decision to take responsibility suggests that confession is inevitable.
Secrets and Deception: The hidden passage, the burner phone, and Izzy's secret about the knife all symbolize the layers of deception that must be peeled away.
Immigration and Deportation: Pilar's revelation and Izzy's father's deportation highlight the theme of family separation and the precariousness of immigrant lives.
Moral Responsibility vs. Self-Preservation: Izzy's internal conflict between protecting her future and doing what is right is central.
Class Privilege and Judgment: Izzy's anger at Marlowe's moralizing reflects her awareness of their different social positions.
Cycle of Violence: Izzy's reflection on her father's saying about an eye for an eye suggests a desire to break the cycle.
Hidden Evidence and Surveillance: The secret passage and Izzy's eavesdropping underscore the theme of hidden truths and the power of observation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it marks Izzy's turning point. Her decision to consider confessing sets up the climax of the novel. It also deepens the reader's understanding of Pilar de León, revealing her own immigrant story and creating a parallel with Izzy. The chapter advances the mystery by introducing new questions about Ellison's actions and the missing phone, while also resolving Izzy's internal struggle. The themes of guilt, family, and moral choice are brought to the forefront, making this a crucial chapter for character development and thematic resonance.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Izzy almost confess to Pilar de León, and what stops her?

Izzy feels the weight of her guilt and is momentarily drawn to Pilar's comforting presence. However, she reminds herself that Pilar is a detective who doesn't care about her personally, and she fears the consequences of confessing. She decides to keep her secret, but the near-confession foreshadows her eventual decision to take responsibility.

2. How does Pilar de León's personal history parallel Izzy's situation?

Pilar reveals that she came to the country illegally and has family members who were deported, just as Izzy's father was. This shared experience creates a subtle connection between them, though Izzy does not fully recognize it at the time. It also highlights the theme of immigration and family separation, making Pilar more sympathetic.

3. What does Izzy mean when she thinks, “the only choice is to put out your own eye and stop the cycle”?

Izzy is referencing her father's saying about an eye for an eye making the whole world blind. She realizes that seeking revenge or protecting herself at the expense of others only perpetuates harm. By taking responsibility for bringing the knife, she believes she can break the cycle of violence and guilt, even if it means sacrificing her own future.