Finn Hunter: Character Analysis
Quick Facts
Finn Hunter is the husband of Mia, son of Debbie Hunter and Dave Hunter (though not biologically), and father to Sonny Hunter. He is a plumber and handyman by trade. Finn first appears in Chapter 1.
Who Is Finn Hunter?
At first glance, Finn Hunter appears to be the stable, blue-collar husband caught between his ambitious wife and overbearing mother. As the story progresses, Finn's identity unravels, revealing a deeply complex and duplicitous character shaped by shocking secrets and dark manipulations. The revelation that he was kidnapped as a baby shatters his sense of self, unleashing a ruthless killer who embraces his dark past and becomes the story's most terrifying figure.
Personality & Traits
Initially presented as a pragmatic and capable handyman, Finn's true nature is gradually revealed as a master of deception and manipulation. He is a man capable of extreme violence, hiding behind a facade of normalcy.
- Pragmatic and Capable: As a plumber, Finn is portrayed as practical and level-headed, able to assess the monumental task of renovating the house with a problem-solving mindset.
- Secretive and Deceptive: Finn hides a long-term affair and a secret child from Mia for years. This capacity for deception runs much deeper, concealing his murderous past with Debbie and his own killings in the present.
- Conflict-Avoidant: In the beginning, Finn often tries to placate both Mia and his mother, rarely taking a firm stand and preferring to keep the peace. This passivity allows the toxic family dynamics to fester.
- Manipulative: The epilogue reveals Finn's true nature as a master manipulator. He orchestrates events to regain control of his life with Mia and their son, Sonny, and is shown to be subtly molding Sonny in the same way Debbie molded him.
- Ruthless and Violent: Beneath his calm exterior lies a capacity for extreme violence. This is first seen when he strangles Debbie in a fit of rage and is fully confirmed when it's revealed he murdered his uncle, George, and others who threatened his carefully constructed world.
Character Journey
Finn's character arc is a chilling subversion of initial impressions, transforming from a relatable, flawed husband into a cold-blooded killer. Initially, his conflicts seem external: the dilapidated house, his difficult mother, and a strained marriage. The revelation of his affair positions him as a typical love rat, a significant but seemingly understandable flaw. The DNA test in Chapter 59, which reveals he was stolen as a baby, shifts him from perpetrator to victim. This moment seems to be his breaking point, leading to his violent confrontation with Debbie. However, the epilogue reveals the shocking truth: he has not broken free from his past but embraced it, becoming the new "protector" of his family, adopting Debbie's methods of eliminating threats through murder. This transformation highlights the theme of Nature vs. Nurture, questioning whether Finn's true nature was always present or if it was shaped by his upbringing.
Key Relationships
Mia
Finn's relationship with Mia is a complex web of love, lies, and control. While he seems to genuinely love her, he is incapable of being honest with her, resenting her for pushing him to uncover the truth about his parents. Ultimately, he wants to build a "perfect" family with her, which he is willing to kill to protect.
Debbie Hunter
His kidnapper and adoptive mother, Debbie, shares a bond with Finn that forms the dark heart of the novel. She manipulated him, lied to him, and trained him to be an accomplice in her crimes. He ultimately rejects and hates her for what she did, yet he has internalized her twisted worldview and methods, continuing her legacy of violence.
Sonny Hunter
Finn's love for Sonny is genuine but possessive and tainted by his upbringing. He sees himself as Sonny's ultimate protector, but the epilogue reveals he is already manipulating his son, repeating the cycle of control and secrecy that defined his own childhood.
Defining Moments
- Discovering the Suitcases (Chapter 12): Finn pries open the first suitcase, triggering the unraveling of his entire life. This moment sets the stage for the revelations to come, exposing the secrets hidden within his family.
- The Newspaper Exposé (Chapter 39): The public revelation of his affair and secret daughter, Chloe, shatters his image as a faithful husband and exposes his profound capacity for deceit. This event marks a turning point in his relationship with Mia and forces him to confront the consequences of his actions.
- Receiving the DNA Results (Chapter 59): Mia presents him with proof that Dave and Debbie are not his biological parents, a revelation that destroys his sense of self and identity. This moment is the catalyst for his descent into violence and his ultimate embrace of his dark past.
- Confronting Debbie (Chapters 65-67): At the cemetery, Finn learns the full truth of his abduction and strangles Debbie, nearly killing her in a moment of pure rage. This confrontation marks his rejection of Debbie's control and his attempt to break free from her influence.
- The Epilogue Reveal (Epilogue): In the book's final chapter, Finn's true nature is revealed. He has murdered his uncle George, journalist Aaliyah Anderson, and Mia's friend Lorna, storing their bodies in suitcases in a secret lock-up, fully embracing his role as a killer. This revelation solidifies his transformation into a cold, calculating murderer and highlights the lasting impact of his upbringing.
Symbolism
Finn Hunter embodies the terrifying reality of The Past Haunting the Present and the inescapable influence of one's upbringing. He is the ultimate representation of Manipulation and Control, first as its victim and later as its perpetrator. His seemingly "normal" exterior represents the novel's core idea that monsters can hide in plain sight, embodying the darkest aspects of Family Secrets and Lies. His journey forces the reader to question whether he is a product of nature or a monster created entirely by nurture.
Essential Quotes
“What the fuck have we just done? What the actual fuck? My heart is beating twenty to the dozen and it’s all I can do to stop myself from blurting out how I really feel to Mia.” — Chapter 2
This quote reveals Finn's initial shock and anxiety after a significant event, hinting at his capacity for deception and his struggle to maintain a facade of normalcy. It also foreshadows the growing tension and secrets within his relationship with Mia.
“I’m just better at compartmentalising than her. Whereas everything in her head lately is untethered, as if her thoughts are colliding with one another like bumper cars in a dodgem ride.” — Chapter 16
This quote highlights Finn's ability to suppress and manage his emotions, contrasting with Mia's more open and vulnerable nature. It suggests his capacity for detachment and control, which ultimately enables him to commit violent acts without remorse.
“Fuck.” — Chapter 39
This simple yet powerful quote encapsulates Finn's shock and frustration when his affair is exposed. It marks a turning point in the story, as his carefully constructed world begins to unravel, leading to further revelations and ultimately his descent into darkness.
“I’m not going to manipulate him like I let Debbie manipulate me. I’m going to teach him how to be his own man, to follow his own path and to protect himself from anything that threatens to interfere with that... Not until he’s much older than he is now. Not until he is ready.” — Epilogue
This chilling quote reveals Finn's true nature as a manipulator, despite his claims to the contrary. He intends to mold his son, Sonny, in his image, perpetuating the cycle of control and violence that defined his own upbringing. This quote underscores the novel's exploration of nature versus nurture and the lasting impact of family secrets and lies.