The Stranger

The Stranger’s central mystery examines how secrets can have widespread effects, both for the secret keeper and for those to whom the secret is revealed. Through Corinne’s, Chris’s, and Tripp’s arcs, the novel explores the destructive power of secrets.

Before the events of the novel’s main timeline, Corinne faked her pregnancy because she suspected that Adam was having an affair, while Adam concealed the fact that he was working late on a case at Sally’s house. The secrecy from both partners jeopardizes their marriage, as Corinne tried to save her marriage by manipulating Adam, and in turn, the later revelation of this secret shatters Adam’s trust in Corinne. Although Adam eventually understands why Corinne faked her pregnancy and forgives her, the novel suggests that the crisis could have been avoided if both partners had been honest and transparent with one another regarding their behavior and feelings.

Chris Taylor runs his blackmailing group to expose others’ secrets, seeking to justify himself by claiming that exposing secrets is a good thing. His criminal interference in others’ lives only causes heartbreak and humiliation for his victims: Kimberly Dann’s secret threatens her relationship with her parents and public humiliation, Michaela Siegel’s secret threatens her wedding and the new life she’s already rebuilt, and Dan Molino’s secret threatens his son’s future and his own reputation.