Chapter summaries Swan Song Elin Hilderbrand

Swan Song Chapter 7: The Cobblestone Telegraph II - Summary and Analysis

Spoiler Notice

This page contains detailed spoilers for Chapter 7 of Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand. Proceed only if you have read the chapter or are comfortable knowing key plot points.

Chapter Summary

Leslee Richardson corrects her pronunciation of “Pocomo” after Avalon Boone gently points it out during an in-suite massage. Leslee then hires landscape architect Benton Coe for the 888 Pocomo property, where she designs a secret circular garden for an octagonal hot tub—the “third eight.” She flirts with Benton, making him uncomfortable. The Richardsons’ yacht Hedonism arrives, and they hire local sailing star Lamont Oakley as captain, a decision that wins community approval. The Richardsons become conspicuous diners around the island; Eddie Panos spots them repeatedly, including at his own anniversary dinner at Straight Wharf, where they outshine him with a bottle of Dom Pérignon. Later at the Chicken Box, Leslee approaches Avalon and her boyfriend Eric Kapenash on the dance floor, then corners Avalon in the restroom and invites them back to the hotel. Avalon declines, feeling pressured and uneasy.

Key Events

  • Avalon corrects Leslee’s pronunciation of “Pocomo” during a massage at the Hotel Nantucket.
  • Leslee hires Benton Coe and shows him the property, revealing her plan for an octagonal hot tub.
  • Benton feels uncomfortable when Leslee suggests testing the hot tub together.
  • The yacht Hedonism arrives; captain Patch criticizes Bull Richardson’s lack of sailing knowledge.
  • The Richardsons hire Lamont Oakley, a Nantucket native and accomplished sailor, as their captain.
  • Eddie and Grace Panos encounter the Richardsons at several restaurants; at Straight Wharf the Richardsons order an expensive champagne that Eddie initially assumes is for him.
  • At the Chicken Box, Leslee dances with Avalon and Eric, then later in the restroom invites them to the hotel; Avalon feels unsettled and locks herself in a stall.

Character Development

  • Leslee Richardson: Revealed as socially aggressive and willing to overstep boundaries. She corrects her pronunciation humbly but later uses physical touch and pressure to assert intimacy.
  • Avalon Boone: Shows discretion by keeping Leslee’s pronunciation error confidential, but her discomfort at the club highlights her growing wariness of the Richardsons.
  • Benton Coe: Initially intrigued by the project, he becomes guarded after Leslee’s overt flirtation, regretting his decision to accept a new client.
  • Lamont Oakley: Introduced as a hometown hero who turned down elite colleges to sail locally. His hiring signals the Richardsons’ ability to attract respected island figures.
  • Eddie Panos: Observes the Richardsons’ ostentation and feels outshone on his anniversary, reinforcing his role as a community barometer.
  • Eric Kapenash: Shown as unaware of social dynamics, mistaking Coco’s role and missing the tension at the club.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Wealth and Ostentation: The Richardsons flaunt their money through the yacht name Hedonism, expensive champagne, and dining at the finest spots. Their visibility provokes both admiration and resentment.
  • Gossip and the “Cobblestone Telegraph”: The chapter title references the informal network through which news spreads on Nantucket. Avalon’s promise not to tell about the pronunciation is ironic given how quickly the Richardsons become topics of conversation.
  • Boundaries and Discomfort: Leslee’s physical advances toward Avalon and her flirtation with Benton illustrate a disregard for personal space and marital norms, creating tension.
  • Hometown Pride vs. Outsider Intrusion: The hiring of Lamont Oakley represents a rare positive integration, while Leslee’s behavior reinforces the Richardsons as disruptive outsiders.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 7 deepens the portrait of the Richardsons as both fascinating and troubling newcomers. It introduces Lamont Oakley, a character likely to play a larger role in the story. Leslee’s aggressive pursuit of Avalon escalates the personal threat and hints at future conflict. The chapter also advances the theme of the small-island community reacting to wealth and excess, setting the stage for mounting drama.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Avalon feel uneasy after Leslee’s invitation at the Chicken Box?
    Avalon had given Leslee a professional massage, and Leslee misinterprets that intimacy as a personal connection. Leslee’s physical closeness and persistence violate Avalon’s boundaries, reminding her that the Richardsons are already the subject of gossip.

  2. How does the hiring of Lamont Oakley improve the Richardsons’ standing in the community?
    Lamont is a beloved local figure—a decorated sailor who stayed on island. By hiring him instead of an outsider, the Richardsons demonstrate respect for Nantucket talent, earning cautious approval from residents who otherwise view them as flashy intruders.

  3. What does the octagonal hot tub reveal about Leslee Richardson’s character?
    The hot tub is her “third eight,” meant to mirror the house’s octagonal features. It shows her obsession with symmetry and status, but her plan to test it with Benton reveals a flirtatious, boundary-pushing nature that prioritizes personal gratification over propriety.

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