“Okay, this is our story…” 

The book’s title is taken from John Michael's words, right after Grant is killed. They establish John Michael, still the anonymous narrator at this point, as the mastermind of the cover up. The phrasing also makes it clear that the boys are lying. 

“They look happy and carefree, just as boys with bright futures and privileged backgrounds should look.” 

Kate identifies the privileged background of the River Point Boys, something that sets them apart from her. While they all have money and means, she works a paid internship to help her single mother financially. These words pit her as the underdog opposite the boys. 

“I hate the legal system. Hate it. I’ve learned that not all who should go to jail do. And not all who should walk free will.” 

Kate explicates one of the book’s major arguments here: the failures of the legal system. Designed to protect and treat people equitably, it often does not. 

“The Remington was Grant’s gun.”

These words are symbolic of the River Point Boys brotherhood sticking together. This is the line that every single one of the boys repeats when asked who used the Remington on the day that Grant was killed. It’s clearly evasive and coordinated. 

“I’m pretty sure I just got his permission to spy on the River Point Boys.” 

In this moment, Kate is firmly established as the “sleuth” of the narrative. Instead of simply passively watching and narrating the River Point Boys case, she will become actively involved as a “detective.” Her personal role will become more intense when she discovers that Shep, not Grant, is her romantic connection.

“It really sucks what happened to those girls. Freaking St. Bart’s. I bet if they find out who did it, they won’t get in any trouble just because of who their daddies are.” 

Reagan says this regarding the lewd photos taken of the three St. Bart’s girls. Even Reagan, who is presented as the sort of frivolous and less-serious counterpart to Kate, recognizes the impact of privilege. This drives home just how momentous such privilege is. Everybody can recognize it, even if they are not (like Reagan) politically inclined. This makes the existence of such privilege all the more maddening: It’s staring Reagan and Kate straight in the face, but they can’t do anything about it. 

“There’s only one thing separating negligent homicide from murder, and that’s evidence of intent. We’re still trying to figure out which one of them pulled the trigger. If we can’t discover who did it, there’s no way to know if there was intent.”

Mr. Stone says this to Kate. The legal details and the significance of matters like “intent” is thus clarified for the reader. Providing valuable information like this through a conversation between characters educates the reader in a subtle, non-didactic manner.

“We will be like brothers again. We will not always be the River Point Boys.” 

John Michael expresses these words of optimism. The “River Point Boys” moniker is clearly a burden to him. It’s a label given to a pack of suspected criminals, not a band of brothers. The suspicion and silence are already tearing the boys apart at this point. These words evidence the mental toll it’s taking on them.

“I’ve been mourning Grant for weeks now. It’s not like a switch I can flip on and off.” 

Kate says this to Shep when she learns that he’s the one she’s been texting with. It speaks to the internal conflict this moment sparks in her. Her ensuing relationship with Shep will be a catalyst for both internal and external conflicts as the narrative progresses. 

“I’m really worried about Lindsey but part of me is glad Grant can’t screw around with her anymore.” 

Rebecca's interview reveals just how many people disliked Grant—and may have wanted him dead. Other people will echo her words. Appearing early in the narrative, this moment sets the stage for the large pool of suspects that emerges. It will then be Kate’s job to narrow that pool down. 

“They may be different now from when we were kids, but some things never change. I think they’ll cover for each other forever.” 

Julianna identifies one of the essential characteristics of the boys’ club: They will always cover for each other. The narrative’s attack on complicity, coupled with its inclusion of the subplot regarding the violating photographs taken of the St. Bart’s girls, may be a subtle nod to the "Me Too" movement, which sparked conversations on complicity in sexual assault. 

“Grant held his secrets close, but secrets can’t stay hidden forever.” 

While Kate is trying to figure out who killed Grant, John Michael is trying to solve a mystery of his own—how Grant got the photo of his dad and Gaines. The secrets to both questions will be revealed, as John Michael's words foreshadow.

“I didn’t shoot him. I don’t know who did. If I knew, I’d be first in line to tell your boss.” 

In this moment, Shep openly acknowledges to Kate the problematic nature of complicity—something the book critiques through its takedown of the boys’ club. If Shep did know who killed Grant and failed to act, he would be complicit in the crime. It’s a form of guilt in itself.

“The girl with the camera is going to be a problem.” 

This quote serves two purposes. First, it makes it clear that the anonymous narrator (the murderer) is not Shep, because he wouldn’t refer to Kate as “the girl” (and he presumably likes her). It also makes for a menacing tone. It becomes clear that Kate’s investigation may not just endanger the investigation or her job, but her safety. 

“One of my friends killed Grant on purpose.” 

It takes Shep some time before he can admit that one of his close friends, his “brothers,” is a murderer. It’s a moment of shock, and this line encapsulates that realization. This acknowledgement is the first step in Shep breaking ranks with the boys’ club.

“He said Shep’s name.” 

In his exchange with Lindsey, John Michael manipulates her so that she’s convinced that she heard Grant say Shep’s name on the phone. She subsequently changes her testimony to accuse Shep. This moment shows just how evil John Michael is (plus, the fact that he plans to later kill Lindsey with pills). The author ensures that, even though it’s clear Grant was unlikeable, his killer is just as—if not more—evil. As the reader becomes better acquainted with the murderer’s awful character, they can root for Kate more freely, willing her to catch the killer—despite her own flaws.

“They all loved Grant. I would guess that group is a ticking time bomb now that he’s gone.”

This statement is from Marsha Flynn, the vice principal of St. Bart’s. It shows just how deceiving looks can be. The River Point Boys all seemed to be close friends, happy in their privilege. In fact, they all had secrets and conflicts. 

“There should be justice for Grant—no matter how big of an asshole he was, he didn’t deserve to die.” 

Shep highlights an important and at times uncomfortable truth about the justice system here. The book includes many different anecdotes, from many different people, about Grant's bad behavior. Still, it wasn’t John Michael’s call to end Grant’s life. It doesn’t matter if Grant was unlikeable. Justice must be served. Still, the fact that Grant comes from a privileged and powerful family helps ensure that this happens.  

“Maybe he understands he lost the protection he had when he was our brother.” 

With these words, John Michael definitively reveals the cruel repercussions that come with going against the “brotherhood” of the River Point Boys. Shep has betrayed the club by confiding in Kate. He thus loses the protection that their privileged status would confer on him. It thus becomes clearer to the reader just why people would be so eager to “toe the party line” when it comes to these groups.  

“I’m coming as me, not one of the River Point Boys.” 

This is one of the first moments that Shep actively disassociates from the River Point Boys—after they’ve turned on him. Visually, he sheds his old identity as a member of the brotherhood: Instead of wearing the “uniform” of khakis and a button-down shirt, he shows up to school in jeans and a t-shirt. It reveals just how strong a hold being a member of such a “club” can have on a person. Only after his “brothers” sell him out does Shep think to wear what he wants to school. Having been ostracized, he dares to stand out. The quote also suggests how much of Shep’s real personality and desires (like dating a girl like Kate) he’s had to push down to be part of the club.

“You are jeopardizing this entire case! I trusted you and you’re kissing this…this…killer behind my back.” 

Mr. Stone says this to Kate after he discovers her relationship with Shep. His words are a stark reminder that Kate, although she claims to be working in pursuit of justice, is a flawed character. Her actions put a criminal investigation and her job, as well as possibly her mother’s job, in danger. She breaks protocol repeatedly, driven not only by a moral instinct but also by a deeply personal (and arguably selfish) reason—the fact that she has feelings for Shep and doesn’t want him to take the fall.

“The DA is handling this for his ‘good ol’ boy’ friends. And I’m back to wanting to smash things.” 

Kate highlights the concept of the “good ol’ boy” club, which protects the people who belong to it via a multitude of connections. In this case, it’s Gaines protecting the River Point Boys. 

“Hardly anyone tried to figure out who did this to us—most just talked about us…If Henry did it, then he was the only one with the guts to actually do something about it.” 

Lori says this to Kate, regarding the lewd photos of the St. Bart’s girls. Her words reiterate the book’s argument that the criminal justice system is flawed, and she flags a double standard seen in such cases. Lori feels that the system has failed her. Indeed, it’s only because of Kate’s discovery on the wildlife camera that the mystery regarding the photos is solved.