a flicker in the dark summary

• Chloe Sevre: A young woman grappling with the trauma of her childhood and the lingering suspicion that she might be responsible for a series of unsolved murders. She’s haunted by fragmented memories and struggles with intense anxiety and paranoia.
• Lena: Chloe’s mother, a complex and enigmatic character. Her behavior and actions significantly contribute to Chloe’s anxieties, leaving the reader to question the nature of their relationship.
• Sheriff Ben: A supportive figure in Chloe’s life, investigating the crimes and working alongside Chloe as she tries to unearth the truth. His empathy and understanding provide a counterpoint to Chloe’s internal turmoil.
• Various victims and suspects: The novel introduces numerous characters from Chloe’s past and present who become potential suspects, adding layers of mystery and suspicion throughout the narrative.

The narrative cleverly weaves between the present-day investigation and Chloe’s turbulent past, revealing bits and pieces of her history, and the disturbing family dynamics that shaped her. As Chloe tries to piece together her memories, readers are taken on a winding path filled with red herrings, suspense, and unreliable narrators. The unreliable nature of Chloe’s memory, and the way the narrative is structured, creates a constant sense of uncertainty and doubt; even the reader struggles to fully trust their own interpretations.

The novel meticulously explores Chloe’s complex relationship with her mother, Lena, revealing a history of manipulation, neglect, and a pervasive atmosphere of secrets. As the present-day investigation unfolds, Chloe begins to uncover details about both the past crimes and the current crimes that contradict official reports and her own recollection of events. The line between what’s real and imagined blurs, creating a palpable sense of dread.

The narrative slowly builds to a confrontation of sorts, as Chloe faces her fears and confronts the unsettling truths surrounding her past and the present events. It forces her to confront the darkest aspects of her own psyche, grappling with the possibility that she might have played a role in the past crimes – or even that she is being framed by someone else entirely. The climax involves a race against time and a desperate attempt to uncover the identity of the real perpetrator, amidst a chaotic blend of uncertainty and deception.

Willingham masterfully uses suspense to maintain the reader’s interest. Just as Chloe begins to grasp onto a thread of understanding, the narrative pulls it away, introducing a new piece of the puzzle, or revealing another twist in the tale. The story is a carefully crafted tapestry of fear, suspicion and psychological trauma, leaving the reader questioning everything until the very last page. The resolution is both shocking and deeply satisfying, revealing the true nature of the crimes and the extent of the manipulations that had shaped Chloe’s life.

• Trauma and its lasting impact: The novel deeply explores how childhood trauma can shape an adult’s life, affecting their perceptions, relationships, and mental health. Chloe’s experiences are central to the narrative, highlighting the complexities of dealing with past trauma.
• The unreliability of memory: Willingham cleverly uses unreliable narration to question the nature of memory and its impact on our understanding of events. The reader is constantly forced to question what is real and what is a product of Chloe’s troubled past.
• Family secrets and dysfunctional relationships: The novel delves into the destructive nature of family secrets and the impact of dysfunctional family dynamics on individual lives. Chloe’s relationship with her mother serves as a central example of this theme.
• Justice and the pursuit of truth: The narrative explores the complexities of finding justice, particularly when dealing with past trauma and unreliable evidence. The investigation and Chloe’s personal journey both reflect this central theme.
• The power of the past: The past crimes continuously cast a long shadow on the present, highlighting the inescapable nature of past traumas and how they continue to influence the present.