51 pages • 1 hour read
The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club
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Chapters 20-29Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness, death, sexual content, and racism.
Chapter 20 Summary: “Briar”
Trying to convince the women not to turn him in, Peter tells them that the authorities will conduct a thorough evaluation of him and that they will be in trouble for not having turned him in immediately. Peter warns that in order to curry favor, he will have to tell his interrogators about the radio exchanges he intercepted, which involve Briar discussing upcoming war games. Cadence accuses Peter of “blackmail.” At the same time, she wonders if prison might improve Briar. Ultimately, Cadence decides that they must secretly harbor Peter.
Chapter 21 Summary: “Mari”
As Mrs. Devereaux pauses the story, the narrative returns to 2016. She convinces Mari to stay the night and hear the rest of the Smith family history tomorrow. Mari sleeps in Cadence’s room and wonders how her mother, Nancy, wound up with Cadence’s golden heart bracelet.
The next day, Mari goes to an outdoor flea market in a field. She speaks with Ronan, who invites her to a bonfire. Mrs. Devereaux encourages Mari to go, but Mari is more interested in the Smith family story, so Mrs. Devereaux returns to it.
