Character Analysis: Sonny Hunter
Sonny Hunter is the "miracle baby" of Mia and Finn Hunter, conceived naturally after years of failed IVF. His premature birth, triggered by Mia's discovery of the attic's gruesome secrets, sets the stage for the novel's central conflicts. Sonny becomes a pawn in his grandmother Debbie Hunter's manipulative games, culminating in his kidnapping.
Who Is Sonny?
Sonny is the embodiment of innocence thrust into a world of deeply buried secrets and psychological turmoil. His existence is a symbol of hope, yet he is also a helpless figure whose life is shaped by the dark choices of the adults around him. From his traumatic birth to his unsettling "education" at the hands of his father, Sonny's journey is a disturbing exploration of nature versus nurture and the cyclical nature of trauma.
Personality & Traits
As an infant, Sonny is entirely dependent on his parents, but his early life is marred by his mother's struggles with postnatal depression and his grandmother's manipulative schemes. After being kidnapped and raised in Norway, he emerges as a happy and well-adjusted child, demonstrating a remarkable resilience. However, the epilogue reveals a chilling transformation, as Finn begins to indoctrinate him into the family's dark legacy.
- Innocent and Vulnerable: Sonny's dependence on the flawed adults around him makes him vulnerable to their psychological issues and manipulative tendencies.
- Resilient: Despite his traumatic birth and kidnapping, Sonny adapts to his environment, thriving under the care of his great-uncle George Lewis in Norway. Psychiatrists describe him as a "well-rounded child who has been loved and nurtured" (Chapter 74).
- Happy and Outdoorsy: His time in Norway shapes him into an energetic and cheerful boy who enjoys hiking, fishing, and gardening.
- Inquisitive and Trusting: In the Epilogue, Sonny displays a childlike curiosity about the human skulls Finn shows him. He trusts his father completely, accepting his twisted explanations and promising to keep their "secret."
Character Journey
Sonny's journey begins with a traumatic premature birth, immediately casting a shadow over his life and contributing to Mia's severe postnatal depression. He is often neglected as Mia struggles to bond with him, a vulnerability Debbie exploits. His kidnapping marks a turning point, leading to two years of being raised as "Andreas" in Norway, where he develops into a happy, healthy toddler, unaware of his true identity. His rescue and reunion with his parents is not a simple happy ending; it is the beginning of a long, complicated process of readjustment. The most disturbing aspect of his development is revealed in the Epilogue. Under Finn's guidance, Sonny is being initiated into the family's dark legacy. He is shown human skulls and taught to see punishment as a solution for "naughty people," suggesting the cycle of trauma and violence is destined to continue through him.
Key Relationships
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Mia Hunter: Mia's relationship with Sonny is initially strained due to her mental health struggles. She loves him but is terrified of harming him, creating a distance between them. Sonny's kidnapping becomes the catalyst for Mia to fight for him, and their eventual reunion marks the beginning of her healing and her full embrace of motherhood.
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Finn Hunter: Finn initially appears to be the more stable parent, but his deceptions and secret second family reveal his deep flaws. After Sonny's rescue, Finn becomes the primary architect of his son's "education," disturbingly echoing the twisted "nurture" he received from Debbie and continuing the theme of Manipulation and Control.
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Debbie Hunter: Debbie's obsession with Sonny is possessive and destructive. She sees him as her property and kidnaps him to "save" him from his parents, demonstrating the ultimate act of control. She uses him as a weapon to punish Mia and manipulate Finn, showing no regard for his well-being.
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George Lewis: George raises Sonny for two years in Norway, providing a stable and loving home. He appears to be a kind and nurturing father figure, giving Sonny a happy childhood, albeit one built on the foundation of a kidnapping.
Defining Moments
- Premature Birth: Sonny's emergency birth after Mia's fall from the attic ladder is a traumatic event that shapes their early relationship (Chapter 14). It symbolizes the intrusion of the family's dark secrets into his life from the very beginning.
- Kidnapping: Debbie abducts Sonny from Mia's parents' house, leaving behind his clothes in a shrink-wrapped bag to suggest he has been murdered (Chapter 65). This act mirrors her methods as a serial killer and highlights her complete disregard for Sonny's well-being.
- Rescue in Norway: Finn tracks Sonny down to Norway after a two-year search, leading to an emotional and complicated reunion (Chapter 74). This moment marks the beginning of Sonny's re-entry into a family defined by lies and manipulation.
- The Storage Unit: In the epilogue, Finn takes Sonny to a secret storage unit, showing him human skulls and teaching him about punishing "naughty people" (Epilogue). This scene is a chilling indication that a new cycle of darkness has begun, with Sonny being groomed to continue the family's legacy of violence.
Essential Quotes
‘Can you open them, Daddy?’ asks Sonny, pointing to three cases at the end of the aisle, separate from the others. ‘Just the one, as we’re pressed for time,’ I say and slide the barrels of the combination lock until the bar opens. I place it on the floor and he eagerly opens the lid like he is unwrapping a Christmas present. Inside are four human skulls...
This quote highlights Sonny's innocence and trust in his father, even as Finn introduces him to the macabre reality of their family history. The image of Sonny eagerly opening the case like a "Christmas present" is particularly disturbing, underscoring the corruption of his innocence.
‘And what do we do to naughty people?’ ‘We punish them!’ he says enthusiastically. (Epilogue)
This exchange reveals the disturbing indoctrination Sonny is undergoing at the hands of his father. His enthusiastic response to the idea of punishing "naughty people" suggests that he is internalizing Finn's twisted worldview, perpetuating the cycle of violence and abuse.
I am reminded of his Norwegian pet Oscar who we brought back to England with us. Sonny was heartbroken when he thought the dog had escaped from his grandparents’ garden weeks later, and, as I hoped, turned to his mum and I for comfort. Nobody knows that I took the dog and left it tied to a tree in woodland a few miles from here. (Epilogue)
This quote reveals Finn's manipulative nature and his willingness to exploit Sonny's emotions. By secretly getting rid of the dog, Finn ensures that Sonny will turn to him and Mia for comfort, strengthening their bond while perpetuating a lie. This act foreshadows the larger manipulations that Finn will likely use to control Sonny's development.