63 pages 2 hours read

Fiona Davis

The Spectacular

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024

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Chapters 16-21Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 16 Summary

Simon asks Marion to return home and assist with funeral preparations. Marion jumps at the opportunity to return home because she wants to support Simon and be of use. Marion also wants to avenge Judy’s death by seeing the Big Apple Bomber brought to justice. She suppresses this thought while grieving in the immediate aftermath of Judy’s death. On the way to Judy’s funeral, Simon asserts that he failed to keep his family safe and together. He insists that Marion marry Nathaniel and return to Bronxville permanently. In this vulnerable moment, Marion accepts responsibility for Judy’s death. Moreover, Marion believes that she does not deserve to feel joy anymore, so she seriously considers marrying Nathaniel.

Simon returns to work two days after Judy’s funeral. Marion dislikes being left at home alone, and she conveys this to Simon, who encourages Marion to speak with Nathaniel about their wedding. Marion informs Simon that Nathaniel seems happy to give her time to work through her grief. As Simon lectures Marion about being responsible, Marion observes his briefcase and recalls that the bomber carried one that looked similar. Marion reports the details of the bomber’s briefcase to Somers and Ogden. Ogden speaks dismissively to Marion, while Somers takes more interest in her account.