Content Warning: This section of the guide describes and discusses the source text’s treatment of child abuse, child abduction, and child molestation. This section also references the source text’s stereotypical and potentially stigmatizing portrayal of neurodivergent people.

“She’s always getting into trouble, and he’s had enough. When he was a kid, his father smacked him when he misbehaved, and he turned out fine. But it’s different nowadays. They have coddled her. Because the experts say she needs patience and support. What they’ve done, he thinks, is enabled her to become a spoiled brat who doesn’t understand limits.”

William rationalizes his abuse of Avery because he knows it is not as bad as what he experienced as a child from his own father. However, William does not see how his lack of compassion only causes Avery to act out against him more. William reveals that he does not think that patience works when it comes to Avery, instead choosing to hit her because of her behavioral problems.

“She’s complicated. She’s a lovely nine-year-old girl. Very bright—gifted, actually. But she’s challenging. She has a learning disability and ADHD. She also has behavioral problems.”

In this quote, Erin tells the police that Avery has behavioral problems. Erin believes that someone may have wanted to hurt her if she was rude to them. Lapena sets up Avery’s criminal mind with this quote, because she describes how Avery is smarter than the average child, suggesting early in the novel that Avery may have plotted her own disappearance.

“We’re just normal people. There’s no reason for anyone to harm our daughter.”

This quote reveals The Hidden Nature of Suburban Towns. Everyone in Stanhope believes that they are just “normal,” even though every family harbors a dark secret. William’s words foreshadow Marion’s motivation because William’s affair gives her ever reason to harm Avery.