Chapter summaries The Coworker Freida McFadden

Chapter 24 Summary & Analysis: The Coworker

⚠️ 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

After Detective Santoro leaves, Natalie searches the internet for news about Dawn. She learns Dawn's body was discovered partially buried in a patch of woods in Cohasset. Only minimal details are available. Natalie decides to go to work, hoping coworkers might have more information. She feels unfairly suspected of bullying Dawn, as multiple people told the detective about her behavior, and Dawn emailed a friend about it.

At the office, Natalie heads to her cubicle. Two days ago she found a turtle figurine on her desk and threw it away. Now the same turtle is back. Terrified, she grabs it and hurls it into the break room trash, expecting it to be buried by lunchtime.

Back near her desk, the phone rings. The caller is Dave Fulton from the Vitamin Hut, a customer who bought five boxes of Collahealth after a lunch meeting. Fulton complains the product isn't selling, that customers returned it, and that one woman experienced tingling feet. He demands a refund. Natalie claims the company policy forbids refunds, even though she earlier implied a refund was possible. Fulton accuses her of lying and of using her breasts to make the sale. He calls her a lying bitch and hangs up. Natalie is shaken but rationalizes that she was just doing her job; it's not her fault he misunderstood.

Key Events

  • Natalie reads breaking news about Dawn's body found in Cohasset.
  • She decides to go to work despite the news.
  • The turtle figurine reappears on her desk after she threw it away two days ago.
  • Natalie throws the turtle into the break room trash again.
  • She receives an angry call from Dave Fulton, who wants a refund for unsold Collahealth.
  • Fulton accuses Natalie of lying and of using her sexuality to sell, then hangs up.
  • Natalie dismisses the call as a normal business problem but feels unsettled.

Character Development

  • Natalie Farrell: This chapter deepens Natalie's portrayal as a manipulative salesperson. She denies bullying Dawn, yet her behavior with Fulton—promising a refund she knew wasn't allowed—shows she is comfortable with deception to close a sale. She is self-justifying and unwilling to take responsibility. The reappearance of the turtle frightens her, suggesting a guilty conscience or an external threat.
  • Dave Fulton: A minor character who reveals the consequences of Natalie's aggressive sales tactics. His anger hints that Natalie may have made enemies beyond the office.
  • Detective Santoro (mentioned): His suspicion of Natalie continues to drive the investigation subplot.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The Turtle Figurine: The turtle's reappearance defies logical explanation, symbolizing a haunting presence—perhaps representing Dawn's lingering influence or Natalie's guilt. Its persistence suggests something unnatural is at play.
  • Deception and Manipulation: Natalie lies to Fulton about the refund policy to make a sale, then gaslights him by claiming he misunderstood. This theme connects to the bullying allegations: Natalie may be lying to herself about how she treated Dawn.
  • Appearances vs. Reality: Natalie presents herself as a friendly coworker and top salesperson, but the chapter reveals her willingness to exploit and mislead. The turtle's physical return challenges her reality.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 24 advances the murder mystery by highlighting Natalie's potential motives. Her deceitful sales practices and history of bullying (as perceived by others) make her a plausible suspect. The angry customer, Dave Fulton, introduces another character with a grudge, expanding the pool of possible killers. The turtle's inexplicable return raises the stakes—either a stalker is targeting Natalie, or a supernatural element is at work. This chapter also deepens the theme of unreliable narration, as Natalie's version of events conflicts with what others tell the detective.

Study Questions

  1. Why does Natalie decide to go to work after learning about Dawn's body?
    Answer: She hopes coworkers may have more information about the murder. She also wants to avoid appearing suspicious by calling out sick, and she focuses on her alibi (thanks to her boyfriend) to feel untouchable.

  2. What does the reappearance of the turtle figurine suggest about Natalie's state of mind?
    Answer: The turtle's return terrifies Natalie and undermines her sense of control. It may symbolize her guilt or paranoia about Dawn's death, or it could be a real threat (someone is leaving it deliberately) that she cannot explain rationally.

  3. How does Natalie's interaction with Dave Fulton reveal her character?
    Answer: Natalie lies about the refund policy to make a sale, then refuses to admit fault when confronted. She dismisses Fulton's anger as his own misinterpretation. This shows she is manipulative, self-serving, and willing to deceive others to achieve her goals—traits that align with the bullying accusations.

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