The One That Got Away with Murder Summary, Characters and Themes
The One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy is a psychological thriller that combines mystery with a coming-of-age story. The novel centers on Lauren, a high school senior who has moved to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, to start over after a traumatic past in California.
She becomes entangled in a web of complicated relationships, dark secrets, and a mystery involving the death of her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. As Lauren navigates her new life, she uncovers disturbing truths about the people around her, especially the Crestmont family, whose tragic history has left its mark on everyone in the town. The story explores themes of guilt, trauma, and the complexities of moving on from painful events.
Summary
The story follows Lauren O’Brian, a high school senior who relocates to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, with her mother. This move is meant to offer Lauren a fresh start after a difficult year involving a tragic past in California.
Lauren’s mother, who is in a relationship with Mark, is eager to leave behind her own history, and the family settles into a new life in the small town. As Lauren begins to adjust to her new environment, she joins the local soccer team and struggles to fit in, especially with her rival teammate, Mara.
At the same time, Lauren starts a secret relationship with Robbie Crestmont, a local boy who volunteers at the Valley Hospice where her mother works. Lauren uses her encounters with Robbie as a way to escape her painful memories, though she keeps the relationship hidden from her mother.
Despite their intense connection, Lauren is wary of getting too emotionally involved with Robbie. However, as their relationship deepens, Lauren learns that Robbie has a complicated past linked to the mysterious death of his ex-girlfriend, Victoria.
Victoria, a talented soccer player, died under strange circumstances at Robbie’s lake house. The local rumor mill suggests that Robbie might have played a role in her death, and Lauren starts to investigate.
She discovers unsettling evidence—Victoria’s bloodied bikini top—leading her to question whether Robbie was involved in her death. As Lauren grapples with the mounting evidence, she is torn between her feelings for Robbie and the suspicion that he might be hiding a dark secret.
The tension escalates when Mara, a teammate, warns Lauren about Robbie’s dangerous past and hints at a long-standing curse within the Crestmont family. Mara claims that every girl involved with the Crestmonts ends up dead, a statement that triggers a realization in Lauren that her own relationship with Robbie may be more dangerous than she thought.
Lauren begins to worry that she could be the next victim in a series of tragic events linked to Robbie’s family.
As Lauren digs deeper into the mystery of Victoria’s death, she uncovers a series of shocking truths about Robbie and his family. She learns that Robbie’s brother, Trevor, had a close relationship with Victoria, and his jealousy and possessiveness might have played a role in her death.
Lauren’s investigation into the Crestmont family’s secrets becomes more complicated as she navigates her own feelings of guilt and confusion about her past in California.
The situation grows even more intense when Lauren begins to suspect that her mother’s fiancé, Mark, might be connected to the deaths. As she confronts Mark about his past, Lauren discovers disturbing truths about his involvement in the local community’s dark history.
Mark’s obsession with control and manipulation, especially regarding Lauren’s mother, becomes increasingly apparent. As the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, Lauren realizes that Mark might be behind the deaths of several people in the town, including Victoria, Jess, and Trevor.
The mystery reaches its peak when Lauren uncovers a note from Trevor to Robbie, revealing that Trevor believed their father, Lionel, was involved in the deaths. This revelation forces Lauren to confront the Crestmont family’s darkest secrets and the possibility that Lionel has been pulling the strings behind the scenes.
As the tension builds, Lauren’s investigation into the deaths leads her to a shocking confrontation with Lionel, whose manipulation of the people around him has created a dangerous web of lies and deceit.
In the final moments of the story, Lauren is forced to confront her own fears and insecurities as she faces the truth about her past and the people around her. The narrative becomes a psychological journey where Lauren must reckon with the trauma she carries from her past and the danger that looms over her future.
With the truth about the Crestmont family and their involvement in the deaths now exposed, Lauren is left to pick up the pieces of her fractured relationships and begin the long process of healing.
Ultimately, The One That Got Away with Murder is a tale of personal growth, redemption, and the complexities of trust and betrayal. As Lauren learns to navigate the difficult terrain of her past and present, she discovers the importance of confronting her fears and accepting the truth, no matter how painful it may be.
The story offers a chilling exploration of family secrets, the impact of trauma, and the lengths people will go to protect their own dark histories.
Characters
Lauren O’Brian
Lauren is the protagonist of The One That Got Away with Murder, a high school senior struggling with the weight of her past. She is a character burdened by guilt, especially surrounding the tragic events that unfolded with her ex-boyfriend Clint, which have followed her to Happy Valley.
The relocation to the small town was meant to be a fresh start, but her past still looms large. Lauren’s primary challenge throughout the story is reconciling her complicated feelings about her own trauma, her strained relationship with her mother, and her investigation into the mysterious deaths surrounding her community.
As she becomes entangled with Robbie and uncovers disturbing truths about his past, Lauren grapples with her feelings of guilt, confusion, and fear. Her journey is one of self-discovery, moving from a place of emotional turmoil to a tentative sense of closure.
Throughout the story, Lauren is forced to confront her emotional baggage, her damaged relationships, and the shadows of her past that threaten to consume her. Her emotional evolution is central to the narrative, as she navigates the complexities of love, guilt, loss, and redemption.
Robbie Crestmont
Robbie is a pivotal character in The One That Got Away with Murder, serving as both a love interest and a figure shrouded in mystery. His complicated past, tied to the tragic death of his ex-girlfriend Victoria, creates an air of suspicion around him.
Robbie’s relationship with Lauren begins as a secretive, physical escape from the pain they both carry, but over time, their connection deepens. However, as Lauren uncovers more about Robbie’s past, particularly his alleged involvement in Victoria’s death, the complexities of their relationship intensify.
Robbie is not just the charming boy next door; he is a man haunted by his past, struggling with his own trauma and the burden of his family’s dark history. Throughout the story, Robbie’s true nature remains ambiguous—he is a victim of circumstance, yet the evidence against him seems damning.
His emotional vulnerability and loyalty to Lauren make him both a sympathetic and a potentially dangerous figure, as Lauren must decide whether to trust him or sever ties for her own safety.
Trevor Crestmont
Trevor, Robbie’s brother, plays a significant role in The One That Got Away with Murder, with his actions and relationships adding complexity to the unfolding mystery. He is a figure shrouded in secrecy, and his connection to Victoria, Jess, and the Crestmont family’s darker history is key to the story’s suspense.
Trevor’s involvement in the deaths of multiple characters raises questions about his true motives and his role in the violent dynamics within his family. His cryptic warning to Lauren about not hurting Robbie hints at his protective nature, but also suggests that he may be complicit in the darker aspects of the Crestmont family’s legacy.
As Lauren uncovers more about Trevor’s actions and motivations, his character becomes increasingly intriguing, blurring the lines between guilt and innocence. Trevor is a man torn between his loyalty to his family and his own moral compass, and his struggles contribute to the overarching tension in the narrative.
Mara
Mara is one of Lauren’s soccer teammates, and although she initially serves as a rival and source of tension, her role grows more pivotal as the story unfolds. Mara’s deep-seated resentment toward Robbie and her intense warnings to Lauren about getting involved with him mark her as a key antagonist in Lauren’s life.
Her distrust of Robbie is not just a personal vendetta; it is rooted in a larger narrative surrounding the Crestmont family’s dark influence on the town. As the story progresses, Mara’s animosity toward Robbie and her desire to protect Lauren from the toxic legacy of the Crestmonts intensify, leading her to make bold statements that suggest a deeper knowledge of the family’s secrets.
Though she may initially appear as a mere rival, Mara’s character evolves to reveal her own traumas and motivations, making her a compelling and complex figure in Lauren’s journey.
Ainsley
Ainsley is introduced later in the story, providing a fresh perspective on the Crestmont family’s toxic influence and the complex dynamics within Lauren’s circle of friends. Her character is defined by her emotional struggles, particularly her grief over the death of her friend Jess and her involvement with drugs.
Ainsley’s confession about her own regrets and her role in spreading rumors about the Crestmonts adds an additional layer of intrigue to the narrative. Her relationship with Trevor, particularly her belief that he may have been involved in Jess’s death, further complicates the web of secrets and lies surrounding the Crestmont family.
Ainsley’s emotional turmoil and the truth about her involvement with the damaging social media account serve as a catalyst for the revelations that follow, forcing Lauren to confront not just the dangers posed by the Crestmonts, but also her own sense of loyalty and trust in those around her.
Mark
Mark, Lauren’s mother’s fiancé, plays a dark and insidious role in The One That Got Away with Murder. His seemingly benign position as a home security professional hides a more sinister reality—he is deeply involved in the murders that plague Lauren’s community.
Mark’s manipulative nature and his ability to control the people around him make him a dangerous figure in the story. As Lauren uncovers his dark past and his connection to the deaths of her friends, the full extent of his psychological manipulation becomes clear.
Mark’s desire for control and power over Lauren’s family is the driving force behind many of the plot’s twists, and his eventual confrontation with Lauren marks the culmination of the story’s darkest revelations. His character embodies the themes of power, control, and betrayal, leaving a lasting impact on Lauren’s emotional journey.
Lionel Crestmont
Lionel, the patriarch of the Crestmont family, represents the epitome of manipulation and control within the family. His role in the story becomes more pronounced as Lauren uncovers the twisted dynamics of the Crestmont legacy.
As the mastermind behind the deaths of multiple characters, including his own sons’ struggles, Lionel’s influence casts a long shadow over the narrative. His cold and calculating nature makes him a formidable adversary, and his manipulation of the events surrounding Victoria’s death adds to the growing tension.
As the story progresses, Lionel’s role as a manipulator and his deep involvement in the family’s dark secrets come to light, pushing Lauren and her friends to confront the terrifying truths about the Crestmonts. Lionel’s character is integral to the mystery of the story, embodying the themes of family legacy, control, and the destructive power of secrets.
Themes
Trauma and Healing
Throughout the narrative, The One That Got Away with Murder explores the deep psychological scars that trauma leaves on individuals, especially the protagonist Lauren. Her past is a constant presence, a reminder of the pain she endured in California, marked by a tragic fire and a broken relationship.
These unresolved wounds follow her to Happy Valley, where she attempts to start over but struggles to break free from the emotional baggage that still defines her. The complexity of trauma is examined in Lauren’s journey, where her interactions with others—especially Robbie—serve as attempts to escape the weight of her memories, even as she confronts new challenges.
Her secret relationship with Robbie represents her need for distraction, a way to forget the painful parts of her past. However, this coping mechanism becomes complicated as she uncovers more disturbing truths about his connection to Victoria’s death.
This tension between attempting to heal and being pulled back into darker memories creates a narrative of constant emotional conflict. As Lauren uncovers more about her own emotional turmoil and the dark secrets around her, she must learn to process her trauma rather than run from it.
The journey towards healing becomes a focal point in her emotional growth, as she recognizes that facing her past head-on is the only way to truly move forward and find peace.
Secrets and Deception
The theme of secrecy runs deep in The One That Got Away with Murder, with nearly every character hiding something that complicates their relationships with one another. Lauren’s own secret relationship with Robbie is one such deception, but it is far from the only one.
The entire Crestmont family is embroiled in their own web of lies, with Robbie and his brother Trevor holding pieces of a disturbing puzzle that Lauren must piece together. Robbie’s past with Victoria, including his possible involvement in her mysterious death, is at the heart of the tension, and Lauren is caught in a moral dilemma.
As Lauren unearths secrets about the Crestmont family and their dark history, her own role in perpetuating deception—especially in keeping the truth of her relationship hidden from her mother—becomes a pivotal part of the story. Even the seemingly mundane interactions, like Lauren’s attempts to regain her place on the soccer team, are clouded by underlying deception and hidden motivations.
The question of who is hiding the truth, why, and the consequences of these hidden truths is a central theme in the book. In the end, the characters are forced to confront their lies and the damage they have caused, both to themselves and those around them, ultimately finding redemption in their willingness to come clean.
Power and Control
The One That Got Away with Murder also delves into the theme of power and control, particularly within family dynamics. The Crestmont family, especially their patriarch Lionel, exemplifies the darker side of control—manipulating and controlling the lives of his children and others in the town.
Lionel’s influence over Robbie and Trevor is insidious, and his ability to maintain power over them, even in the face of the terrible events surrounding Victoria’s death, reveals how deeply toxic family control can be. Lauren’s own struggle with control is mirrored in her fractured relationship with her mother, who, despite her best intentions, is emotionally distant and preoccupied with her own life, leaving Lauren feeling abandoned.
The power dynamics within Lauren’s family are complicated further when her mother’s engagement to Mark introduces a new layer of control. Mark’s subtle manipulation and his eventual role in the murders showcase how power can be used not just to influence others but to exploit and control them to a dangerous extent.
The theme of power manifests in the characters’ relationships, where Lauren seeks to assert her independence and uncover the truth, while others like Lionel and Mark manipulate the people around them for personal gain. In a world shaped by these controlling forces, the characters must break free from these oppressive ties in order to regain their autonomy and seek justice for those who have been harmed.
Guilt and Redemption
Guilt is a pervasive theme in The One That Got Away with Murder, particularly for Lauren, who grapples with her own role in the traumatic events surrounding her past. Her feelings of guilt are heightened by her involvement in revealing Ainsley’s drug use, a decision that led to her friend being sent to rehab.
This guilt manifests throughout the book, with Lauren constantly questioning her actions and decisions. The theme of guilt is not just a personal battle for Lauren, but a broader reflection of how the characters’ choices impact those around them.
Robbie’s guilt over Victoria’s death is a central point of conflict, as he is tormented by his inability to clear his name and his complex relationship with Lauren. As the story progresses, the need for redemption becomes clear for many of the characters, especially as they confront the darker aspects of their pasts.
Whether it is Lauren seeking redemption for her actions, Robbie for his involvement in Victoria’s death, or Mark attempting to justify his twisted actions, the pursuit of redemption becomes a key motivator. In the end, redemption is not easily attained, as the characters must first face the harsh truths about themselves and the world around them.
The process of reckoning with their past actions and seeking forgiveness is a painful but necessary journey that shapes the characters’ growth and eventual healing.
Trust and Betrayal
In The One That Got Away with Murder, trust and betrayal are explored through the evolving relationships between the characters. Lauren’s relationship with her mother is fraught with feelings of betrayal, especially after her mother’s engagement and the revelation of her fertility treatments.
These moments highlight the emotional distance between them, with Lauren feeling neglected and abandoned at a time when she needs support the most. Lauren also experiences a sense of betrayal through her interactions with Robbie, as his dark secrets regarding Victoria’s death begin to surface.
As Lauren uncovers more truths about Robbie and his family, she begins to question not only his motives but also her own judgment in trusting him. Betrayal is further emphasized when Lauren learns of the Crestmont family’s involvement in the deaths surrounding their town.
The devastating impact of these betrayals forces Lauren to reexamine her perceptions of the people she thought she could trust, leading to a sense of emotional isolation. The book portrays how trust, once broken, is incredibly difficult to rebuild, and the repercussions of betrayal extend far beyond personal relationships, impacting the community at large.
Through Lauren’s emotional journey, the theme of trust is shown to be fragile and, once betrayed, difficult to regain without genuine self-reflection and accountability.