In the novel, Holly is portrayed as a multidimensional character with depth making her one of King's compelling literary creations. The narrative delves into Holly's personal growth and emotional struggles, which continues her evolution from the previous books. For instance, her determination to continue working despite losses and tragedies highlights her strong spirit. King illustrates this in her commitment to taking on cases even during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Set against the backdrop of the pandemic, the story introduces Holly’s involvement in a case concerning a missing girl. The story unfolds in various timelines presenting Holly's experiences during critical moments. Holly is adjusting to using Zoom while dealing with the death of her mother due to the virus. During this time, she is drawn into a case involving Penny Dahl—a desperate mother seeking help to find her missing daughter, Bonnie. As the story progresses, Holly is faced with the disappearance of Peter Steinman and starts connecting the dots between different cases and suspects. Meanwhile, another narrative focuses on Rodney Harris who is involved in a dark and twisted scenario. Rodney is a chef in his family concealing unsettling activities involving a captive young woman.
Holly's investigative work and the Harrises' actions underscore the theme of good versus evil. Her pursuit of justice and efforts to help others stand in sharp contrast to the malevolent actions of characters like Rodney and Emily. This contrast emphasizes the complexities of morality and the human condition demonstrating the blurred lines between right and wrong. Additionally, the novel explores the theme of relationships particularly focusing on Holly's friendship with Barbara Robinson. Barbara's support for Holly exemplifies the importance of emotional connections and mutual assistance during uncertain times.
