57 pages 1 hour read

Ruth Ware

The It Girl

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

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Chapters 36-47Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 36 Summary: “After”

Hannah tries and fails to remember finding April’s body but only recalls that Hugh was with her when she found April and that he attempted to resuscitate her. She tells Will she plans to speak with Hugh and invites Will to join her. Still angry at Hannah for digging further into their shared past trauma, Will storms out of their house, slamming the door behind him.

Hugh and Hannah discuss what they recall from the night of April’s murder, noting that they’re sure no one from their party left the bar aside from April. Hugh admits that he’s not entirely positive he saw Neville, but Neville did admit to being in Hannah’s room that night. Hugh recalls that April was still wearing her wig from Medea, and he wonders if Neville mistook April for Hannah. They both become emotional discussing their lingering guilt from that night—Hugh couldn’t resuscitate April and always wished he could do more. They attempt to absolve each other of their apparent guilt.

Hugh admits that he isn’t sure if Neville is guilty of murdering April. He also confesses that he considered April mean and knew she had a lot of enemies because of her pranks. Hugh recalls April pranking Emily a few days before April’s murder, noting, “But that last prank—that smacked of real hate” (265).