Point of View

The novel’s use of point of view is tightly controlled, sticking to a third-person limited perspective focused exclusively on Ellery. This approach allows the reader to stay close to Ellery’s emotional state and evolving perceptions, experiencing the mystery through her eyes without the omniscience of a broader narrative voice. It helps create suspense by keeping the other characters at arm’s length — their histories, motivations, and secrets remain obscured, only revealed as Ellery uncovers them. This mirrors her journey from an isolated, heartbroken guest to an active investigator and reinforces the theme of her emotional detachment from those around her. In the early chapters, this limited perspective works well. The reader shares in Ellery’s confusion and suspicion, encouraged to scrutinize the wedding party and staff alongside her. The lack of access to other characters’ inner thoughts maintains an air of mystery around...