Point of View

Metcalf is the novel’s protagonist, narrator, and the sole point-of-view character. The narration is written in the first person and the past tense. Because the story is consistently told from Metcalf’s perspective, the reader only ever knows information of which Metcalf is also cognizant. This narrow perspectival scope helps to maintain the sense of mystery and suspense that is integral to the narrative. The story’s tone and focus are built on a suspense and mystery as Metcalf tries to uncover the many secrets surrounding Maynard Stanhunt’s death. Moreover, as Metcalf gains more information and makes further deductions, the scope of his perspective—and the overall story—grows to encompass Metcalf’s discoveries. (Most of these discoveries relate to Danny Phoneblum’s criminal enterprises and his connections to the other characters.)

Despite the fact that Metcalf is the only point of view...