Ladybug

The ladybug that lands on Emily and scares her is a symbol of something that looks innocent but is secretly deadly. It hints at the identity of A, who, we find out later, is Mona. Mona masquerades as Hanna's best friend, but is secretly out to destroy her and her old friends.

Black Cat

The black cat is a symbol for Toby, who is meant to be seen as sinister and unlucky. At first, the reader suspects that he is unlucky for the people around him because he is a murderer, but by the end of the novel we realize that he is unlucky because he is misunderstood.

Squirrels

The squirrels are symbols of Rosewood's idyllic charm. They are said, jokingly, to clean up the trash off the streets during the night.

Fortune Teller

The fortune teller is a symbol of fate or destiny. Emily does...