What Have You Done by Shari Lapena Summary, Characters and Themes
What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena is a psychological thriller with a supernatural twist, set in the small town of Fairhill, Vermont. The story revolves around the mysterious death of 17-year-old Diana Brewster, whose murder sends shockwaves through her tight-knit community.
Lapena masterfully shifts between different characters’ perspectives, exploring the impact of Diana’s death on her friends, family, teachers, and townspeople. As suspicions swirl and secrets emerge, Diana herself watches from the afterlife, piecing together the events leading to her tragic end, desperate for justice and revenge.
Summary
Diana Brewster, a high school student in the small town of Fairhill, Vermont, is discovered dead on a local farm, shaking the town to its core.
The death leaves a lasting impact on many residents, from her family to her classmates, and even those who had tenuous connections to her. As grief and suspicion consume the community, hidden truths begin to surface, implicating several individuals with complex and intertwined lives.
Paula Acosta, an English teacher at the school, had taught Diana and is deeply disturbed by her death.
On top of this, she is struggling to maintain a relationship with her daughter, Taylor, who faces the usual teenage challenges of fitting in, dealing with technology, and bullying.
Paula’s close ties to Principal Graham Kelly further complicate things, as it emerges that Kelly had previously dismissed a complaint from Diana about inappropriate behavior from gym teacher Brad Turner.
Although Diana did not want her accusations to go public, Paula persuades Kelly to finally inform the authorities. However, when he does, he downplays the incident, leaving key details hidden.
The media catches wind of the situation, turning up the heat on Brad Turner. With a new complaint surfacing from another student, Brad finds his career and engagement to his fiancée, Ellen, on the verge of collapse.
Though he protests his innocence and insists he had no involvement in Diana’s death, the growing allegations surrounding his behavior lead Ellen to question their future together.
Meanwhile, Joe Prior, a creepy older man who often harassed Diana at her job, initially appears to be a potential suspect.
However, when the police look into his alibi and investigate his ties to a separate case involving a murdered girl in New York, they find that while he may be guilty of other crimes, it’s unlikely he killed Diana.
Another prime suspect, Diana’s boyfriend Cameron, also falls under scrutiny when inconsistencies in his story emerge.
Though he claims he dropped Diana off after an argument the night she died, witnesses place his truck at her house later, raising doubts about his version of events.
Diana’s closest friends, Riley and Evan, struggle with her death in their own ways. They are haunted by the idea of never knowing what truly happened, and even go so far as to track Joe Prior’s movements, hoping to help the investigation.
But when Riley finds Diana’s missing phone hidden in Evan’s room, the pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place.
Diana, who has been observing the aftermath of her death from beyond, begins to remember the details of her final moments.
The night of her murder, Evan visited her, confessing his feelings for her after she broke up with Cameron.
When Diana laughed at his confession, Evan’s long-simmering anger boiled over, leading him to strangle her in a moment of uncontrollable rage.
Although Evan is eventually arrested for the murder, the town remains shaken. Brad is released from jail, but his reputation is tarnished, and Ellen chooses to leave him.
In the end, as Evan contemplates his future behind bars, he convinces himself that this time will allow him to explore his own dark mind as a writer.
Characters
Diana Brewster
Diana is the central figure whose death propels the narrative forward. At just 17 years old, her life was marked by youthful innocence, but she was also grappling with the darkness of adult world complexities.
In life, she was a normal teenager with friends, a boyfriend, and typical school pressures. Her unresolved complaints about Brad Turner and her growing discomfort with how others treated her reveal her vulnerability and powerlessness.
Her murder is shocking to the town, and through her supernatural presence, Diana remains a silent observer, haunted by the fact that she can’t remember her own death. As she watches the events unfold, Diana’s struggle to regain her memories mirrors the audience’s desire to uncover the truth.
Her character arc is tragic, but her final realization—when she remembers that her close friend Evan killed her—underscores the novel’s theme of betrayal and the masks people wear. Diana’s perspective provides the novel with its eerie, supernatural atmosphere, blending her youthful innocence with her need for justice and revenge.
Paula Acosta
Paula is a high school English teacher and one of the novel’s emotionally grounded characters. As a teacher who had Diana as a student, Paula represents the voice of reason and morality in the town.
She is closely tied to the dynamics of the school, where Diana’s complaint against Brad Turner initially remains hidden. Paula’s own struggles, especially with her daughter Taylor, parallel her role as a teacher dealing with teenage problems both professionally and personally.
Her complicated relationship with the principal, Graham Kelly, reveals her efforts to fight for what is right, despite the potential fallout from challenging the school system. Paula’s discovery that her daughter, too, has been a victim of Brad’s behavior intensifies her motivation to seek justice.
This eventually results in her confronting Kelly and forcing him to admit the full extent of Diana’s accusations. Paula’s character reflects the challenges of motherhood, the responsibility of educators, and the emotional burden of standing up against institutional misconduct.
Graham Kelly
As the principal of the high school, Graham Kelly holds a position of power, which he uses to conceal uncomfortable truths. Initially, he dismisses Diana’s complaint about Brad Turner, interpreting it as a minor issue that does not need to be escalated.
Kelly’s reluctance to take action speaks to his fear of scandal and his role in maintaining the school’s reputation at the expense of justice for students. He symbolizes institutional negligence, where complaints are brushed aside for convenience.
However, Paula’s persistence forces him to confront his decisions, leading him to finally report Brad’s behavior to the police. Despite this, his delay in addressing the situation leaves a bitter aftertaste, as his complicity in downplaying Diana’s harassment weighs heavily on his conscience.
Kelly’s character serves as a critique of those in positions of power who fail to protect the vulnerable. Ultimately, he reveals the complexities of guilt and responsibility in a tight-knit community.
Brad Turner
Brad Turner is the gym teacher who becomes embroiled in controversy after Diana files a complaint against him. His predatory behavior is initially swept under the rug by Graham Kelly.
As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Diana’s experience with him was part of a pattern of inappropriate behavior toward female students. Brad’s character is emblematic of the hidden menace lurking beneath the surface of a trusted figure in the community.
His relationship with his fiancée, Ellen, unravels as the accusations against him grow more serious. His lack of an alibi on the night of Diana’s death makes him a prime suspect.
As the investigation into Diana’s murder intensifies, Brad’s world begins to collapse, especially when another student comes forward with a similar complaint. Although he is eventually released from jail after Evan’s confession, the damage to his reputation is irreversible.
Ellen’s decision to break off their engagement shows that Brad’s crimes, though not directly tied to Diana’s death, are still deeply harmful. His character explores themes of power abuse, manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked predatory behavior.
Joe Prior
Joe Prior serves as a red herring in the investigation. He is a man with a history of disturbing behavior who initially seems to be a plausible suspect.
His flirtation with young girls and his stalking tendencies make him a suspicious figure in the town’s eyes. His character adds tension to the plot, as the police focus on him as a lead in Diana’s case.
Although Joe has an alibi for the night of Diana’s murder, his involvement in another girl’s death in upstate New York reveals him as a deeply troubled individual with a dark past. While not responsible for Diana’s death, Joe’s presence in the story amplifies the novel’s theme of predatory males and the danger that young girls often face in their interactions with men.
His arrest for the other girl’s death provides some closure in that case, but it highlights the pervasive threat he represents. Joe’s character reinforces the notion that not all predators are immediately obvious, yet their existence is a constant danger.
Cameron
Cameron is Diana’s boyfriend and initially one of the primary suspects in her murder. His relationship with Diana was marked by tension, particularly on the night she died.
Cameron’s initial lies to the police, in which he claims to have dropped Diana off early, cast suspicion on him and make his motives unclear. His later admission that he argued with Diana and returned to her home adds layers to his character, illustrating a young man struggling with guilt, grief, and a deep fear of being accused of something he did not do.
Throughout the novel, Cameron’s parents play a significant role in his arc. They attempt to both protect and guide their son, encouraging him to tell the truth while also being prepared to cover for him if necessary.
Cameron’s internal conflict and gradual revelation of the truth reflect the novel’s broader exploration of guilt, secrecy, and the complexities of relationships. Ultimately, Cameron is innocent, but his actions and lies add to the tension of the investigation.
Evan
Evan is one of Diana’s two best friends, and his role as the true killer is the novel’s ultimate twist. Throughout the story, Evan presents himself as a grief-stricken friend, mourning the loss of Diana and helping her mother deal with her pain.
His dynamic with Riley, the other best friend, further conceals his guilt, as he participates in their joint efforts to track Joe Prior and seek justice for Diana. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Evan harbored deep, unrequited feelings for Diana.
When Diana rejected him on the night of her death, Evan’s rage boiled over, leading him to strangle her. Evan’s character is a complex portrayal of suppressed anger and hidden darkness.
Outwardly, he appears normal, but is capable of horrifying actions when pushed to an emotional breaking point. His eventual arrest brings closure to Diana’s murder, but his inner thoughts—considering how prison might give him time to write—reveal a deeply disturbing mind.
Riley
Riley is Diana’s other best friend and one of the emotional anchors of the novel. Her grief over Diana’s death is palpable, and her sense of helplessness drives her to act impulsively.
Riley’s actions, like reporting Joe Prior’s movements to the police, reflect her desperate need for justice and closure. She plays an essential role in supporting Diana’s mother as they both grieve the loss of Diana.
Her discovery of Diana’s missing phone under Evan’s bed is a turning point in the story. It is the moment when the truth of Evan’s guilt begins to unravel.
Riley’s courage in alerting the police despite the danger posed by Evan shows her loyalty and strength. Her journey is one of emotional growth as she navigates grief, friendship, and justice.
Ellen
Ellen is Brad Turner’s fiancée, and her character is defined by the crumbling trust in their relationship. Initially supportive of Brad, Ellen’s faith in him is shaken as more accusations surface about his inappropriate behavior toward female students.
Ellen’s internal struggle reflects the emotional toll that such revelations take on loved ones. As Brad’s situation deteriorates, Ellen is forced to confront the reality of his actions.
By the end of the novel, Ellen chooses to break off her engagement with Brad. This decision symbolizes her solidarity with the victims and her refusal to ignore the growing evidence against Brad.
Her decision to leave Fairhill represents her desire for a fresh start, free from the shadow of Brad’s misconduct.
Themes
Guilt and Responsibility
Guilt and responsibility weigh heavily on many of the characters in What Have You Done. As the investigation into Diana’s murder progresses, individuals are forced to confront their actions—or inaction—that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The tension around these themes is palpable, particularly in the case of Graham Kelly, the school principal. Kelly, who initially sought to protect Brad Turner, the gym teacher accused of inappropriate behavior by Diana, is later consumed with guilt as the truth about his role in mishandling Diana’s complaints comes to light. His failure to report Turner’s actions directly influenced the events leading up to Diana’s death.
Kelly’s internal conflict about protecting his career versus doing what’s morally right reflects the broader theme of responsibility.
Similarly, Brad Turner’s guilt over his past actions and his mistreatment of Diana becomes a key part of the narrative. His own anxieties about his behavior and its potential consequences unravel as more people come forward with accusations against him.
Even characters like Riley, who is not directly responsible for the murder, feel the weight of their actions. Her obsessive need to uncover the truth about Diana’s death pushes her to the brink of her own moral compass, especially as she grows suspicious of those around her.
The theme of guilt reveals the complex emotional toll that both big and small actions have on individuals in the aftermath of a tragedy.
The Impact of Secrets and Lies
Secrets and lies are central to the unraveling of the murder mystery in What Have You Done, and they significantly impact the relationships and actions of the characters. At the heart of the investigation is the web of deceit that surrounds Diana’s death. Whether it is Brad Turner’s hidden history of inappropriate behavior or Graham Kelly’s affair with a colleague, the lies create an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion.
The characters’ efforts to hide their true intentions often lead to their undoing, highlighting how secrets can fester and eventually unravel lives. One of the most striking examples is the way Diana’s complaints about Brad Turner were ignored, buried under the school’s reluctance to tarnish reputations. Principal Kelly’s dismissal of these complaints in favor of protecting Turner’s career is a pivotal moment, showing how maintaining a facade of normalcy can have devastating consequences.
On a more personal level, Paula, the teacher, is also dealing with her own fears and secrets about her daughter’s indifference to the murder, and the growing concerns about her own role as a parent.
The secrets surrounding Diana’s life—her troubled relationship with her boyfriend, Cameron, and her fears of being stalked by a strange customer at her workplace—are also instrumental in pushing the investigation forward. The theme underscores the destructive power of secrets, as these hidden truths eventually surface and alter the course of the investigation and the characters’ lives.
The Complexity of Relationships
The relationships between the characters in What Have You Done are complex and fraught with tension, contributing to the deep emotional undercurrent of the story. Diana’s relationship with her mother, Brenda, is one of the most impactful in the novel. Brenda’s grief over losing her daughter is compounded by the realization that she may not have truly understood her daughter’s life and struggles.
Their strained relationship, particularly Diana’s distance due to her mother’s overprotectiveness, is a painful reflection on how parents often fail to fully understand the challenges their children face.
This theme of miscommunication and misunderstood intentions also appears in Diana’s relationship with her boyfriend, Cameron. The tension in their relationship, marked by possessiveness and conflict, plays a significant role in the mystery.
Cameron’s actions, his denial of the fight they had before her death, and his suspicious behavior, ultimately complicate the investigation. His inability to communicate honestly with others, including the police, reveals the fragility of trust in relationships. Similarly, Riley’s grief over her best friend’s death and her increasing suspicions about Cameron further complicate the web of emotions, as she struggles to balance loyalty to her late friend with her suspicions about those closest to her.
The theme highlights how complex and often misinterpreted relationships can significantly affect the actions of individuals, especially when trust and communication break down.
The Effect of Small Town Dynamics
In What Have You Done, the small-town setting plays a critical role in shaping the characters and their behavior. The close-knit community of Fairhill is one where everyone knows each other’s business, and yet, despite this apparent familiarity, deep-seated secrets abound. The insular nature of the town allows for the preservation of lies, as people are reluctant to expose one another for fear of upsetting the delicate social balance.
This is particularly evident with the way Diana’s complaints about Brad Turner are initially dismissed by Principal Kelly, who is more concerned with protecting his school’s reputation than addressing the truth. The fear of social alienation in such a small town leads many characters to act in ways that protect their own image, even at the expense of justice.
Furthermore, the investigation into Diana’s murder reveals how the residents of Fairhill are caught in a cycle of suspicion and fear. Each character’s actions are influenced by the knowledge that everyone around them is watching, and this pervasive sense of being under scrutiny fosters a deep sense of paranoia.
The theme illustrates how the dynamics of a small town—where everyone’s lives are interwoven—can create a pressure cooker environment that amplifies both the emotional and psychological consequences of the murder. The limited space for privacy and the lack of anonymity in a small town make it almost impossible for characters to escape their past actions, and this isolation heightens the tension throughout the story.
The Dangers of Obsession and Paranoia
Obsession and paranoia are key elements in What Have You Done, influencing many of the characters’ behavior and decision-making. Riley’s obsessive need to uncover the truth about Diana’s death becomes an unhealthy fixation, as she constantly reexamines the details of the case and grows increasingly paranoid about the possibility of the killer watching her.
Her obsession with Cameron and his inconsistencies blinds her to other potential suspects, as she is consumed by the need to expose him.
This obsessive pursuit of truth, while initially motivated by grief, ultimately pushes her into a state of paranoia, affecting her relationships with others. Similarly, Paula, Diana’s former teacher, becomes consumed with her own fears about the safety of her daughter and the people around her. Her growing anxiety, compounded by her sense of guilt for not being able to prevent the murder, leads her to second-guess everything around her, from the behavior of the police to her interactions with her own family.
The tension between paranoia and obsession is further emphasized by characters like Brad Turner, whose growing anxiety over the murder investigation prompts him to act erratically. His fear of being caught for his past actions leads him into a spiral of guilt and fear that distorts his perception of reality. The theme ultimately shows how the characters’ fears, when unchecked, distort their judgment and contribute to the emotional chaos surrounding the investigation.