The aftermath of Debbie Hunter's taunt throws Mia and Finn Hunter into a nightmare as they discover their son, Sonny Hunter's, discarded clothes. Mia's frantic search unearths only the ashes of Dave Hunter, deepening her panic. This section explores themes of manipulation, family secrets, and the long-lasting impact of the past.
Chapter 66: The Cemetery
Mia's terror intensifies as she claws at the earth, desperately seeking Sonny. Finn, initially paralyzed, erupts in rage and attacks Debbie, attempting to strangle her against the gravel path. Mia, torn between a desire for revenge and the need to know Sonny's whereabouts, screams at Finn to stop, realizing Debbie is the only one who knows where Sonny is. Finn, lost in his fury, whispers something into his mother's ear as he chokes her.
Chapter 67: Nurture Has Won
The narrative shifts to Debbie's perspective as Finn strangles her. Welcoming death, she reflects on her life and views Finn's murderous rage as proof that her "nurture" has triumphed. A flashback reveals her first kill: Justin Powell, a boy who bullied Dave. She murdered him to protect Dave, and when Dave discovered her secret, it bound them together.
Debbie recalls how Dave later discovered the suitcases in the warehouse, forcing her to confess that she had killed many other children. While horrified, Dave's love for her and his complicity in covering up what he believed he did to his sister, Precious, led him to accept her actions. They agreed he would turn a blind eye as long as she was careful. Debbie sees her murders not as evil acts but as a way of "saving" children from lives of neglect and abuse, just as she and Dave had suffered. As she loses consciousness under Finn's grip, she feels a sense of peace, believing her life's work is complete and she will soon be with her husband again.
Part Four: Two Years Later
Chapter 68: Two Years Later
Two years later, in 2022, Mia appears on television, appealing for information on Sonny's disappearance. She and Finn are divorced, and Sonny is officially a missing person. Mia recounts the events of that day, omitting Finn's attack on Debbie. She now works for a charity that investigates cold cases of missing children.
Mia explains that she and Finn communicate via text about the case, but his life has unraveled due to grief, guilt, and alcohol. He lost his business and his relationship with his daughter, Chloe. Mia admits she distanced herself for her own survival, as his presence was a constant reminder of Debbie. When asked about Debbie, Mia calls her a monster and states she can never forgive her until she knows what happened to Sonny. The chapter concludes with a police report revealing that Debbie was recently stabbed by another patient at Broadmoor psychiatric hospital—a relative of one of her victims. Debbie survived the attack.
Chapter 69: The Agreement
At Broadmoor, Debbie, recovering from her injuries, awaits a visit from Finn. Their tense conversation reveals that Finn has been visiting her regularly for the past two years due to an "agreement." Finn's business has failed, and he is estranged from his ex-partner Emma. He has also located his birth mother, Lorraine, and a younger sister, Gemma, and has been building a relationship with them.
Finn confronts Debbie about her twisted form of "bonding," where she involved him in her abductions as a child, manipulating him into believing they were saving the children. Debbie defends her actions, claiming it was her way of ensuring he wouldn't leave her. Finn declares he will no longer visit her. Debbie reveals her trump card: if he stops visiting, she will stop sending him the brand-new photograph of Sonny she provides every month. This is the reason for his visits—Debbie has been proving Sonny is alive and using him as leverage to maintain control over Finn.
Chapter 70: George
The narrative shifts to George Lewis, Debbie's long-lost brother, who has been living in Norway. Learning about Debbie's situation on the news, he returns to England and reconnects with her. Debbie lies, claiming that Finn inherited Dave's violent nature, was complicit in the murders, and was abusive towards both her and Sonny. She paints Mia as a mentally unstable mother, similar to their own.
Consumed by guilt for abandoning Debbie, George believes her story. Debbie calls him in a panic, claiming Finn and Mia have had a violent fight and she has taken Sonny to a cemetery for his safety. She convinces George that the only way to protect Sonny from his dangerous parents is for George to take him to Norway. George agrees, seeing it as his chance to finally protect his family. He smuggles Sonny out of the country, and when he later learns Debbie has confessed to the murders, he believes she is sacrificing herself to protect Sonny from Finn. For the past two years, George has been raising Sonny (whom he has renamed Andreas) on his remote island, believing he is giving the boy a safe and loving home, completely unaware of the truth.
Key Events
- Finn's Attack: Finn attacks Debbie after finding Sonny's clothes, but is stopped by police.
- Debbie's Backstory: Debbie's motivation is revealed: she killed to "save" children from abusive homes, enabled by Dave.
- Two-Year Time Jump: The narrative jumps ahead, revealing Sonny is still missing, Mia and Finn are divorced, and Debbie is in Broadmoor.
- The Secret Arrangement: Finn has been secretly visiting Debbie in Broadmoor, blackmailed with photos of Sonny.
- George's Introduction: Debbie's estranged brother, George Lewis, is revealed.
- The Ultimate Deception: Debbie manipulates George, convincing him to take Sonny to Norway to protect him from Finn.
Character Development
- Finn Hunter
- Transforms from rage-filled to broken, losing his family and business.
- Secret visits to Debbie reveal a desperate father.
- Seeks out his birth mother, Lorraine, to reclaim his identity.
- Mia
- Evolves from trauma victim to determined advocate.
- Finds purpose working for a charity for missing children.
- Divorces Finn to heal and put herself first.
- Debbie Hunter
- Cemented as a master manipulator with no remorse.
- Uses Sonny as a pawn to control Finn from prison.
- Deceives George, turning his love and guilt into revenge.
- George Lewis
- Haunted by his past, returns to protect Debbie.
- Ensnared by Debbie's lies, perpetuating family trauma.
- Unwitting accomplice in Debbie's scheme.
Themes & Symbols
Themes
- Manipulation and Control: Debbie's control over Finn and George highlights her manipulative nature.
- Family Secrets and Lies: The plot is built on lies, destroying families across generations.
- Nature vs. Nurture: Debbie believes she molded Finn into a killer, while George tries to break the cycle.
- The Past Haunting the Present: George's return and Debbie's trauma fuel the current tragedy.
Symbols
- Photographs of Sonny: Symbolize Debbie's control, representing life reduced to blackmail.
Significance
This section marks a turning point with shocking twists, reframing the narrative. The reveals about Finn's secret visits and George's existence create a more complex mystery. The story shifts from "What happened to Sonny?" to "How will Finn and Mia find him and expose the truth?"
Analysis
John Marrs uses shifting perspectives and delayed revelations to build tension. The transition from Mia's grief to Debbie's cold monologue is unsettling. The two-year time jump allows exploration of long-term trauma. The introduction of George creates dramatic irony, shifting the reader's investment to anticipation of confrontation. Debbie's manipulation cements her as a formidable villain.