Chapter summaries Summers at the Saint Mary Kay Andrews

Chapter 37 (Chapter 36) 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

Late in the evening, Felice returns to the dorm and Livvy immediately approaches her. Livvy initiates a foot massage as a bribe and then confesses she wants Felice’s help investigating Parrish’s death. Felice initially refuses, calling herself “out,” but Livvy persists, mentioning the blue composition book Parrish called her “little blue bitch book” that contains guest complaints and requests—a notebook that Mrs. E wants found. When Livvy points out that the yellow crime scene tape has been removed from Parrish’s room, Felice reluctantly agrees to act as lookout. Inside the ransacked room, they see the mess left by police. Livvy begins cleaning and folding clothes out of empathy for whoever will have to pack Parrish’s belongings. Felice joins her. While placing decorative pillows, Livvy notices one is heavier. She finds an invisible zipper and a blue-and-white composition book slides out—the “bitch book.”

Key Events

  • Livvy waits for Felice and offers a foot massage to soften her up.
  • Livvy asks Felice to help find out who killed Parrish; Felice refuses, saying she wants no part.
  • Livvy reveals the existence of Parrish’s blue composition book, which contains notes on guest complaints and requests, and says Mrs. E wants it.
  • Felice agrees only to be a lookout and reluctantly enters Parrish’s room.
  • The room is in disarray from the police search; Livvy begins cleaning and packing Parrish’s belongings.
  • Felice corrects Livvy on how Parrish arranged her decorative pillows, revealing she had secretly observed the room before.
  • Livvy discovers one pillow is heavier, unzips it, and the blue composition book falls out.
  • Felice hands the book to Livvy, confirming it is the “bitch book.”

Character Development

  • Livvy: Shows persistence (her mother compares her to a rat terrier) and empathy by cleaning the room for Parrish’s family. She is methodical, observing details like pillow weight.
  • Felice: Initially cautious and dismissive, she is swayed by the mention of Mrs. E and the notebook. She contributes knowledge of Parrish’s bed-making habits, indicating she paid close attention to Parrish’s style. Her quiet help with cleaning suggests a softer side beneath her resistance.
  • Parrish (mentioned): Through her belongings and the notebook, Parrish is revealed as someone with meticulous taste, expensive possessions (Jimmy Choos), and a secret record-keeping habit that may hold clues.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Secrets and Investigation: The central action is Livvy’s amateur investigation. The “bitch book” symbolizes hidden information and the power of observation.
  • Class and Materialism: The contrast between Parrish’s designer linens and the other staff’s “crummy Walmart bedspreads” highlights economic disparity among the summer staff.
  • Empathy and Care: Livvy and Felice’s decision to clean Parrish’s room shows a humanizing response to death—restoring order as a form of respect.
  • Trust and Collaboration: Livvy’s need for a lookout and Felice’s reluctance evolve into a tentative partnership, foreshadowing further cooperation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks the first deliberate step in Livvy’s independent investigation into Parrish’s death. The discovery of the blue composition book provides tangible evidence that may contain clues about guest complaints and requests—potentially linking someone to the crime. It also deepens the bond between Livvy and Felice, shifting Felice from a passive coworker to a coconspirator. The cleaning scene reinforces the theme of respect for the dead while revealing Felice’s hidden attention to Parrish’s life. The notebook’s introduction sets up a key plot device for the chapters ahead.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Livvy believe Felice’s foot massage is a “bribe”? Livvy admits she wants Felice’s help investigating Parrish’s death and says, “I have something I need to talk to you about.” Felice’s suspicious nature interprets the massage as a bribe, and Livvy later jokes that Felice is “bribing” her with the massage in exchange for cooperation.

  2. What does the blue composition book contain, and why is it important? According to Livvy, Parrish called it her “little blue bitch book” and used it to keep notes on all guest complaints and requests she dealt with. Mrs. E wants it found, and Livvy suspects it could contain information relevant to Parrish’s death.

  3. How does Felice reveal she knows more about Parrish’s room than she lets on? When Livvy begins placing throw pillows incorrectly, Felice corrects her, explaining that Parrish always put large square pink-and-white-striped Euro shams against the wall first. Felice later admits she used to sneak into Parrish’s room after she left for work just to look at the decor, revealing her quiet fascination with Parrish’s style.

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