Point of View

The novel is told primarily through the point of view of Jules and Lena in the first person perspective. However, Hawkins writes five different characters with the first person point of view: Jules, Josh, Lena, Sean, and Erin. Each of these characters also have their own short vignettes through which to tell version of the story. Jules is mainly concerned about her relationship with her sister, and then Lena; Josh cares about the truth and his family; Lena is purely focused on staying loyal to Katie; Sean is trapped between his duty, his father, and the truth; Erin is an outsider brought in to investigate Nel’s death. Using each of these characters’ points of view provides the reader with an alternative assessment of the situation.

Nickie, Patrick, Helen, Louise, Mark, and The Drowning Pool each have multiple stories of their own but they are...