How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
And they had never understood, as they did now, what the word horror meant. (2.45)
As a family, the Salmons were very innocent to the evils of the world. They viewed their suburban neighborhood as a safe place, where those with bad intentions can't enter.
Quote #2
The guilt on him, the hand of God pressing down on him, saying, You were not there when your daughter needed you. (5.3)
Family tragedies are known for producing spiraling guilt. Guilt is what you do when you can't do anything else.
Quote #3
[…] it was Lindsey who had to deal with what Holly called the Walking Dead Syndrome – when other people see the dead person and don't see you. (5.6)
Being Susie's sister becomes a much bigger part of Lindsey's identity after Susie dies. But only in the eyes of others. She remains her own person, dedicated to helping her family deal with the tragedy.
Quote #4
"Each year it's something I do for Leah. […] My wife. I'm a widower." (5.54)
One big reason Len Fenerman buys the widower lie is because he himself is a widower. It's doubtful Harvey knows this; he's just being his creepy self.
Quote #5
"You remind me of my wife," Len said. (6.199)
Nice pickup line, Len. Although Len is dedicated to keeping families safe from bad guys, he does take his own swipe at the Salmon family. Abigail initiates the affair, but Len makes early advances.
Quote #6
"You need to get yourself starved down, honey, before you keep fat on for too long. Baby fat is just another way to say ugly." (7.24)
Oh, Grandma Lynn. Sure she has some rather outrageous ideas, some body image issues, and she drinks a lot. But Lynn becomes vital to the Salmon's survival of tragedy, especially when she steps in to help after Abigail leaves.
Quote #7
"So you would want to be able to get into his house?" (13.81)
We were really disturbed by Jack encouraging his daughter to break into Harvey's house to get evidence of his guilt. Since this is a book, and Lindsey is one of the daring heroes of it, we'll let it slide.
Quote #8
It was on that day that I knew I wanted to tell the story of my family. Because horror on Earth is real and it is every day. It is like a flower or the sun; it cannot be contained. (14.100)
Susie is talking about the day she meets the other girls Harvey killed. She learns that by sharing her story with them, her pain lessens. So, if she can tell a big long story, her pain might disappear.
Quote #9
"Once upon a time there was a kid named Billy. He liked to explore. He saw a hole and went inside but never came out. The End." (16: Snapshots.45)
Buckley is working out the idea of death through art. He's also showing that he knows the details of what happened to Susie. Jack doesn't put it together though and puts the picture on the fridge with the drawing of the Inbetween. We can really see the depth of the pain of the family at that moment.
Quote #10
"We ran home for you, Mr. Salmon." (17.79)
And a good thing, too! Lindsey is a sensitive daughter, and she knows her dad could literally have a heart attack if she's too late and can't be found.
Quote #11
"Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble and grand. The word my grandfather uses is comfort. (Epilogue.15)
This Heaven, presumably, will eventually hold the whole Salmon family. But for now, Susie is quite content to hang out with her grandfather.