Summary

In the prologue, an anonymous narrator discusses the buzz surrounding Hollis Shaw’s Five-Star Weekend, hosted at her house in Squam, Massachusetts. Hollis grew up on Nantucket, attended the University of North Carolina, then moved to Boston. She worked for a food magazine and married a doctor named Matthew Madden. They raised their daughter, Caroline, in Wellesley.

Hollis inherited the Squam property from her father. She started spending her summers there and became internet famous during the pandemic for her food blog. Shortly after, Matthew died.

In Chapter 1, Hollis feels annoyed that Matthew is travelling to Leipzig when they have their annual summer party so soon. They argue in the kitchen about how Hollis feels neglected. His last words to her were, “You’ve changed… And we’ve changed” (20).

Shortly after, Hollis calls Matthew to apologize and tell him she loves him. Her voicemail...