Bob Miller Character Analysis
Quick Facts
Bob Miller is an ambitious attorney at Williamson & Morgan who is later revealed to be Nicholas Robert Miller, the brother of Kelly Summers's deceased first husband. Driven by revenge, he becomes Sarah Morgan's co-conspirator and lover. He first appears in Chapter 3 and is a central figure in the novel's themes of Betrayal and Deception and Revenge and Justice.
Who He Is
At first glance, Bob Miller appears to be a run-of-the-mill, ambitious lawyer, resentful of Sarah's success. However, this is a carefully constructed facade. Beneath the surface lies Nicholas Robert Miller, a man consumed by vengeance for his brother's death. He is a master manipulator, using his intelligence and charm to orchestrate a complex plot, ultimately revealing himself as a cold and calculating murderer.
Personality & Traits
Bob's personality is a complex blend of ambition, cunning, and a burning desire for revenge. He presents a professional facade to the world while secretly plotting his elaborate scheme.
- Ambitious and Competitive: Bob is deeply resentful of Sarah's success, particularly her partnership at the firm. He engages in petty office politics, such as trying to steal Anne, to assert his dominance.
- Arrogant and Egotistical: He insists that Anne call him "Mr. Miller," underscoring his need for formal respect and control. Sarah notes that he has "a huge ego and no respect for anyone else, except those that have more money or more power than him."
- Cunning and Manipulative: Bob is a master of Power, Control, and Manipulation. He hides his true identity and motivations from everyone at the firm. He approaches Sarah not to blackmail her, but to form a secret alliance, manipulating her grief and anger to orchestrate a complex plot against Kelly and Adam Morgan.
- Vengeful: Bob's primary motivation is revenge. He believes Kelly (under her real name, Jenna Way) murdered his brother and got away with it. This singular focus drives him to concoct an elaborate and ruthless plan to ensure she pays for her perceived crime.
Character Journey
Bob's character arc is a dramatic transformation from a seemingly minor antagonist to a central villain. Initially, he is presented as a workplace rival, an "asshole" in Sarah's words. However, this perception is shattered when Adam identifies him as Nicholas Robert Miller in Chapter 44. This reveal recasts Bob's entire presence in the story, suggesting his proximity to Sarah was not a coincidence but a calculated move. The epilogue provides the final, shocking layer to his character, revealing that Bob was not just seeking revenge but was Sarah's partner in crime and, eventually, her romantic partner and the father of her child. He approached Sarah with evidence of Adam's affair to propose they kill Kelly and frame Adam. This completes his transformation from a petty rival to a cold, calculating murderer who successfully manipulates the justice system to achieve his goals.
Key Relationships
- Sarah Morgan: Bob's relationship with Sarah is the most complex and pivotal in the novel. It evolves from professional rivalry to a dark, conspiratorial partnership. He correctly assesses her anger and pride, using it to forge an alliance built on mutual goals of revenge. By the end of the book, they have built a new life together, founded on a shared, murderous secret.
- Kelly Summers (Jenna Way): Kelly is the target of Bob's long-simmering vengeance. He views her as the unpunished murderer of his brother, Greg. His entire plot is designed to ensure she dies and that her death serves his secondary purpose of framing Adam.
- Adam Morgan: Adam is merely a pawn in Bob's scheme. Bob has no personal feelings toward him but sees him as the perfect scapegoat. Adam's infidelity provides the motive, and his presence at the lake house provides the opportunity for Bob and Sarah to frame him.
Defining Moments
Bob's actions are carefully calculated, each contributing to his ultimate goal of revenge. Several key moments define his character and reveal his true nature:
- Confrontation Over Anne (Chapter 5): Bob's initial interactions with Sarah establish him as an arrogant and competitive colleague, creating the perfect cover for his true intentions.
- The Reveal (Chapter 44): Adam's public accusation—"You. You’re Nicholas Robert Miller. You’re Kelly’s ex-husband’s brother"—is the novel's turning point, exposing Bob's hidden identity and connecting him directly to the victim's past.
- The Interrogation (Chapter 50): When questioned by Sheriff Ryan Stevens, Bob expertly uses his legal acumen to deflect and control the conversation. His performance reveals both his intelligence and the deep-seated pain he feels over his brother's death, making his desire for revenge palpable.
- The Epilogue (Chapter 64): The final chapter reveals the full extent of his plan with Sarah. This moment solidifies his role as the story's secondary villain and Sarah's true partner.
Essential Quotes
Bob's words and the words of others about him reveal his complex character and motivations:
"That’s because Mr. Miller is an asshole. I’ll make sure he has a new assistant by the end of the week, and if the next one doesn’t work out, I’ll make sure he doesn’t work out here either." — Sarah Morgan on Bob's workplace behavior (Chapter 3)
This quote, early in the novel, establishes Bob as a petty and unlikeable character, masking his true, more sinister intentions.
"You killed her, didn’t you?" — Adam Morgan confronting Bob (Chapter 44)
This accusation marks the turning point in the novel, exposing Bob's true identity and connecting him directly to Kelly's past.
"We decided to kill Kelly and frame Adam. After all, they did have it coming. Bob was out of town when she was killed to ensure that when the connection between him and Kelly was found out, he’d have an alibi. I didn’t want any loose ends." — Sarah Morgan revealing her plot with Bob (Chapter 64)
This quote reveals the full extent of Bob's manipulation and his role as the mastermind behind Kelly's murder, solidifying his status as a cold and calculating villain.