The day my life exploded started well.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: Anna opens her novel with this quote that foreshadows the coming tragedy in her life. The use of the word “exploded” signifies how completely her life will be torn about by Hamish’s infidelity and the story of Leon’s death.

She was the reason I was on the run. Gretchen Teigler had tried to have me killed.
-- Narrator (Chapter 4)

Importance: Anna feels betrayed by Leon, who she believed was a friend, when she learns that Leon married Gretchen. The reader learns that Gretchen put out a hit on Anna because Anna accused four members of a football team owned by Gretchen of raping her. She refused to recant her story.

I’m recognisable if you know what to look for and Leon was from London. He would have heard about the scandal. It was pretty hard to miss.
-- Narrator (Chapter 4)

Importance: Leon had already given Anna reason to...