60 pages 2 hours read

Clown in a Cornfield

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2020

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Chapters 12-17Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, death, suicidal ideation, and racism.

Chapter 12 Summary

Quinn and Cole dance together, putting Quinn at ease. She is bothered by how much the underclassmen pay her attention because they idolize Cole. This response is tied to a coping mechanism Quinn developed after her mother experienced addiction. Quinn considers calling her therapist after the party to process her discomfort.


Quinn leaves the dance floor to make another drink. She sees Ginger exit the cornfield with her hair styled into a fauxhawk. Ginger does not answer Quinn’s greeting, making it clear that something is wrong. Ginger has a crossbow bolt in her back. She tells Quinn not to pull it out. Janet sees Ginger and screams, but the party goes on. A person in a Frendo costume emerges from the cornfield, wielding a crossbow. Frendo fires a second bolt that kills Ginger. Janet pulls Quinn away and tells her to run.

Chapter 13 Summary

The party disperses when someone calls out the presence of an “active shooter.” The fact that Matt and Ronnie are also wearing Frendo costumes confuses the partygoers. Cole wants to help the partygoers evade Frendo, but Matt and Ronnie urge him to look after himself.

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