Content Warning: This section discusses graphic violence and torture, suicide, drug overdose, and racism.

Throughout the novel, characters often operate under a facade: saying one thing but then doing the direct opposite. Reece cannot accept things at face value, which eventually allows him to discover the truth about what happened to his troop and his family. Lorraine Hartley has made an entire career lying and pretending to be righteous, fair, and generous when she is the exact opposite. In her prime-time address, she says, “This xenophobic focus on so-called foreign terrorists has caused us to overlook the true threats to liberty brewing here at home” (334). Ironically, the actual threat to liberty is Lorraine herself; however, by blaming xenophobia—something Lorraine exploits to gain power—she can go undetected. Carr hence suggests that it is dangerous to accept appearances at face value.

Additionally, Masood becomes powerful because “[o]utwardly he condemns terrorism” but “his group is a conduit for funneling money to ISIS” (255). Masood does some peaceful work in the community, which gives him a level of credibility that prevents people from assuming the worst in him. He creates his own YouTube videos promoting peace and then also financially supports videos promoting violence.