Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses sexual assault, domestic violence, murder, child endangerment, and miscarriage.

Wylie Lark, known as Josie Doyle in her childhood, is one of the novel’s protagonists. The narration follows her during the present timeline and for large portions of the August 2000 timeline, making her the main character. In the past timeline, her family is killed by Randy Cutter when she is 12 years old; she escapes him by running into a corn field and waiting for the morning. It is ultimately revealed that Randy intended to kidnap Josie, but when she got away he kidnapped Becky instead . The guilt of leaving Becky behind, of questioning her brother Ethan’s role in the crime, and of being the sole survivor of the slaughter of her family creates a significant emotional burden that weighs heavily on her adult life. This guilt manifests itself in her work as a true crime author. Wylie returns to her hometown of Burden to write the story of her family’s murders, though her identity is hidden from the reader for most of the novel.

Wylie’s return to Burden and her adult interactions are influenced by the trauma of her childhood. Early in the present timeline, she showcases avoidant behaviors in both her casual and intimate relationships.