Chapter 23 Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ 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 Drew, Max, and Autumn pulling up to Nana’s Favorites, a small beachside shop in Waybrooke. The store is closing for the day, and the owner, Eloise—an older woman with white hair and hot-pink glasses—initially tells them to come back tomorrow. Drew shows her the missing-person flier for Lola and explains they’re searching for her. Eloise recognizes Lola from the photo and confirms that she came into the store the previous day with an older man. They bought clothes and shoes, and Lola changed into her new outfit before leaving. Eloise remembers the man as quiet and serious, and she notes that they both seemed tired.

Autumn shows Eloise the grainy photos from the diner footage, and Eloise confirms these are the same people. Drew asks if she’d be willing to call the official tip line and also the sheriff’s personal number, explaining that Roane is Lola’s father and has been slow to follow up on leads. Eloise agrees enthusiastically, even joking about hassling the sheriff. As they turn to leave, Eloise suddenly remembers a crucial detail: before leaving, Lola mentioned she wanted to change into her new clothes before the long drive back to Alton. This is the first concrete location clue they’ve had.

The trio is electrified. Alton is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away, isolated and rural. Drew immediately worries that Roane will dismiss this evidence because it comes from him, the prime suspect. He proposes a new plan: bypass Roane entirely and take the evidence to the Alton Police Department, hoping an impartial precinct will take the case seriously. Autumn and Max agree, though Max jokes about punching Ted. They decide to drive to Alton that night, but realize the station will be closed, so they plan to wait until morning.

As they head north, Autumn’s phone rings. It’s Roane, furious that she left school and that Eloise has been calling him. Autumn defiantly tells him she’s doing his job and hangs up. She suggests turning off their phones to avoid being tracked. Max and Drew follow suit. Drew texts his dads, apologizing for being away, sharing the photo of Lola, and telling them to inform Mr. Scott that Roane is mishandling the case. He promises he’s safe and that he’ll see them tomorrow. The chapter ends with the three of them driving into the night, carrying the weight of their decision and the hope that they’re finally closing in on Lola.

Key Events

The trio arrives at Nana’s Favorites and meets Eloise, who initially tries to close the store.
Eloise confirms that Lola and an older man visited the store the previous day, buying clothes and shoes.
Eloise recalls that Lola changed into new clothes before leaving and mentioned a long drive back to Alton.
Drew decides to bypass Sheriff Roane and take the evidence to the Alton Police Department instead.
The group plans to drive to Alton and wait until morning to present their findings.
Roane calls Autumn’s phone, furious about the tip-line call; Autumn hangs up on him.
The trio shuts off their phones to avoid tracking.
Drew texts his dads, sharing the photo and asking them to inform Mr. Scott about Roane’s inaction.

Character Development

Drew – Drew’s guilt and determination intensify. He feels responsible for Lola’s disappearance and is haunted by the possibility of never knowing what happened to her. His decision to bypass Roane shows a growing willingness to take risks, even at the cost of his own safety. His text to his dads reveals his deep love for them and his internal conflict between duty and family. He acknowledges that this is the worst thing he’s ever done to them, but he can’t stop.

Autumn – Autumn transforms from a cautious observer into a full participant. She defies her father directly, hanging up on him and suggesting they turn off their phones. Her anger at Roane’s negligence fuels her commitment. She also shows empathy, reassuring Eloise that she isn’t to blame for not recognizing the danger.

Max – Max provides comic relief but also loyalty. He’s scared of birds and jokes about punching Ted, but he’s fully on board with the plan. His willingness to face consequences (“We’ll die together then”) shows his solidarity with Drew.

Eloise – Though a minor character, Eloise becomes a crucial witness. Her initial shock turns into determination to help, and she promises to call Roane repeatedly until he takes her statement. Her cooperation highlights the power of ordinary people to aid an investigation.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Distrust of law enforcement – Drew’s fear that Roane will dismiss the evidence because it comes from him is central. He believes Roane is biased and incompetent, and his decision to go to another precinct reflects a broader theme of systemic failure.

Taking matters into one’s own hands – The trio’s choice to investigate independently, despite the risks, underscores their desperation and belief that they can do better than the official investigation.

Evidence gathering and witness cooperation – The chapter emphasizes the importance of collecting physical and testimonial evidence. Eloise’s memory provides a concrete lead, and the group’s careful questioning shows their growing investigative skills.

Guilt and responsibility – Drew’s internal monologue is heavy with guilt. He feels responsible for Lola’s disappearance and for the pain he’s causing his dads. This guilt drives him forward but also weighs on him.

Defiance of authority – Autumn’s confrontation with Roane and the group’s decision to bypass him represent a direct challenge to institutional power. They are willing to face consequences to achieve justice.

Hope and determination – The location clue reignites their hope. The chapter ends with a sense of forward motion, despite the uncertainty ahead.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the investigation. The confirmation that Lola was in Waybrooke and the specific mention of Alton give the trio their first solid lead. More importantly, Drew’s decision to bypass Roane and take the evidence to another precinct escalates the stakes. It transforms the search from a passive hope that the sheriff will act into an active, risky mission. The chapter also deepens the character dynamics: Autumn’s rebellion against her father, Max’s unwavering loyalty, and Drew’s internal struggle between his love for his family and his need to find Lola. The cliffhanger ending—driving north with phones off—sets up the next phase of the story, where the trio will have to convince a new set of authorities to believe them.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Drew decide to take the evidence to the Alton Police Department instead of going home and letting Sheriff Roane handle it?

Drew fears that Roane will dismiss the evidence because it comes from him, the prime suspect. He recalls that Roane accused him of faking Meredith Hoyt’s tip-line call, and he believes Roane will do the same with this new lead. By going to an impartial precinct, Drew hopes to force Roane to cooperate or look incompetent.

2. How does Autumn’s relationship with her father change in this chapter?

Autumn openly defies Roane for the first time. She hangs up on him, tells him she’s doing his job, and suggests turning off their phones to avoid being tracked. This marks a shift from passive frustration to active rebellion, showing that she prioritizes finding Lola over pleasing her father.

3. What does Drew’s text to his dads reveal about his character and motivations?

The text shows Drew’s deep love for his parents and his guilt over worrying them. He apologizes, explains he’s safe, and shares the photo of Lola to prove he’s making progress. He also asks them to inform Mr. Scott about Roane’s mishandling, demonstrating his commitment to justice and his willingness to accept consequences for his actions.