The Layering of Truth

An exploration of the layering of truth is present on both levels of the book’s narrative function –on what might be described as the mystery/thriller level, and on what might be described as the deeper human level. The two levels have significant overlap in terms of developments in plot, character, and relationship with other themes, but are ultimately separate lines that explore different sorts of truths.

The mystery-thriller level is a truth-finding chronicle of what happened in terms of the killings perpetrated by Ansel Packer, the investigation into those killings, and what happens to Packer in the aftermath of being caught and convicted for his murderous role in those killings. In each of the various sections of text – those that describe Packer’s last day and those that describe the chain of events and relationships that led to that day – the...