Point of View

The novel has two distinct divisions with different perspectives. The first three chapters are from an omniscient perspective set in modern times and generally following an investigation led by Tracy Crosswhite.

Chapter 4 changes abruptly to the first-person perspective of Andrea Strickland, though she is not immediately identified. The novel also drops back in time about a year. Andrea's story continues in first person and flows chronologically. Chapters devoted to Andrea continue to appear occasionally throughout the novel.

The remainder of the novel follows the investigation into Andrea's disappearance and the murder of a woman police initially believe to be Andrea. Most readers will be able to follow the two separate perspectives without confusion, because Andrea's chapters appear in italics and those chapters are written in first person. Those chapters do have traditional dialogue and punctuation, though the reader needs to remember that this is a...