Genre
Mystery
Setting and Context
The novel is primarily set in the mysterious Garrick household, where everyone is keeping profound secrets.
Narrator and Point of View
The novel is told from a third-person perspective.
Tone and Mood
The novel is mysterious, moody, suspenseful, and violent.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The Garrick household is the novel's antagonist and Millie Calloway is its antagonist.
Major Conflict
Millie Calloway's attempts to decipher what is happening with the Garrick household and ultimately save herself and the family's children.
Climax
When Millie discovers that Mr. Garrick is an even man who has insidiously affected his family, ultimately leading Millie to escape her place of employment.
Foreshadowing
The Garrick family's head of house, Douglas, ultimately harming his family members is foreshadowed by the first time Millie meets the family.
Understatement
The true extent of Mrs. Garrick's delusion is initially understated by the novel.
Allusions
There are allusions to McFadden's other novels, to popular culture, and religion.
Imagery
McFadden uses descriptive imagery to describe the Garrick's family home, reflecting their opulence, struggles, and secrets.
Paradox
The Garricks seem to have it all. They are kind and wealthy; however, paradoxically, they are anything but that.
Parallelism
N/A.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A.
Personification
The nightgowns Millie notices with blood are personified in the novel, giving them human-like characteristics.
