Chapter 38 Summary: A Book Deal and a Fresh Lead
⚠️ 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
Adam Morgan wakes up determined to shake off the lethargy that has plagued him since his arrest. He showers, shaves, and even orders a new luxury mattress to replace the one confiscated during the crime-scene cleanup. While sitting on his sofa and browsing a Jonathan Franzen novel, he receives a call from his agent, Daniel. Daniel announces that he has already secured multiple offers for a book based on Adam’s story, including a seven-figure advance and film deals. Despite his earlier reluctance, Adam agrees to write the book—on the condition that he tells the truth, not a fabricated confession. As he opens a blank Word document titled “Adam Morgan: Murder He Wrote,” a knock at the door interrupts him.
The visitor is Rebecca, the reporter Adam hired to investigate his case. She carries two file folders and wastes no time presenting her findings. Rebecca explains that Kelly (also known as Jenna) was first married to a man named Greg; they wed young and divorced after a year and a half. Greg’s brother, Nicholas Miller, lives in the Maryland area—close enough to have committed the murder. Rebecca contacted the mother of Greg and Nicholas, who seemed kind and unconnected to the crime. The mother mentioned that Nicholas had recently visited and returned to Maryland. With a list of seventy-two people named Miller in the region, Adam and Rebecca decide to split the names: Rebecca will make house calls, and Adam will phone the entries that have numbers. Adam begins dialing, hopeful that one of these calls will lead him to Nicholas and exoneration.
Key Events
- Adam receives a book deal from his agent Daniel and agrees to write his story.
- Rebecca arrives with investigation files.
- Rebecca reveals that Kelly’s first husband, Greg, had a brother named Nicholas Miller.
- The brother lives in Maryland, within striking distance of the crime scene.
- Adam and Rebecca divide a list of seventy-two people with the surname Miller.
- Adam starts making phone calls, determined to find Nicholas.
Character Development
Adam transitions from a passive, depressed suspect to an active participant in his own defense. The book deal fuels his ambition and vanity, but he insists on truth—a glimpse of his lingering moral compass. Rebecca emerges as a competent, efficient investigator who works quickly and thinks strategically. Her personal aside about her own mother suggests a human side that Adam brusquely dismisses, highlighting his single-minded focus on his survival.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
True crime as commodity. Adam’s agent treats the murder case as a hot property, and Adam himself fantasizes about fame and money—even as he pursues the real killer. The contrast between the book deal and the investigative work underscores the tension between spectacle and justice.
Desperation and hope. Adam’s frantic phone calls symbolize his last-ditch effort to find a scapegoat. The list of seventy-two names is both a lifeline and a gamble, representing how fragile hope can be when backed by circumstantial evidence.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 38 marks a structural pivot. Until now, Adam has been reacting to evidence and accusations; here he takes the first proactive step in his defense by hiring an investigator and following leads. The introduction of Nicholas Miller provides a concrete alternative suspect, raising the stakes for the remainder of the novel. Additionally, Adam’s decision to write a book—regardless of the outcome—complicates reader sympathy, as he appears eager to profit from a tragedy in which he may be innocent.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Adam agree to write the book even though he initially resisted?
Adam’s resistance crumbles when he hears the size of the offers. His desire for wealth, fame, and a revived career overrides his earlier doubts. He rationalizes that writing the truth will preserve his integrity while still cashing in. -
What new information does Rebecca bring about Kelly’s past?
Rebecca confirms that Kelly (Jenna) was previously married to Greg, that a murder case involving her was covered up with the help of Scott Summers, and that Greg has a brother named Nicholas Miller who now lives in Maryland. This brother is a potential suspect. -
How does Adam’s mood change during this chapter?
He begins the chapter feeling lazy and hopeless, but the book deal and the investigative lead reignite his energy. By the end, he is eagerly dialing numbers, convinced that Nicholas Miller could be his salvation.