The Sun Down Motel

“How it didn’t matter how afraid or how careful you were—it could always be you.”

This quote reflects the dangers women face. Viv is aware that no matter what situation she is in, she has to be on guard. The women who are attacked or killed are relatable: It could have very well been Viv or somebody she knows who died. Contrary to media framing that implies the women did something wrong to put themselves in harm’s way, they died simply because they were women and easy targets for Simon.

“Because Fell, it turned out, had more than one unsolved murder. For such a small place, it was a true-crime buff’s paradise.”

The town of Fell, New York, is a place where people with morbid curiosity end up. This idea recurs throughout the novel, as when Heather claims that Carly’s personality makes her a “Fell girl” despite not being a local. The majority of people living in Fell are either locals who know the town’s dark history and chose to stay, or people who arrive there because of the history and choose to stay because they want to know more.

“‘Number Six Road.’ The woman’s eyebrows lowered. ‘If I was your mother, I would tan your hide. Hitching on that road is dangerous for lone girls.’”

Janice warns Viv in the beginning of the novel that she is in a dangerous place, echoing Viv’s mother’s displeasure with her daughter’s decision. This quote also characterizes both Janice and Viv. Janice is nonchalant after this quote, offering Viv a free room if she takes over the night shift for her.