41 pages • 1 hour read
Verity
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Character Analysis
Lowen Ashleigh
A writer of thrillers and suspense novels, Lowen Ashleigh is a 32-year-old woman living in New York City who has just lost her mother to cancer. Lowen begins the novel in a state of strict self-isolation. As a result of her traumatic experiences with sleepwalking, Lowen does not trust herself or others around her. She is uprooted from the anonymity of the city and placed in the tense atmosphere of Jeremy and Verity Crawford’s Vermont estate. The change of locations forces Lowen to confront the demons she has been avoiding. She must face her issues with self-doubt as begins to follow in the footsteps of the successful Verity while also struggling with her growing feelings for Verity’s husband Jeremy, to whom she slowly unveils her deepest secrets. As she and Jeremy fall deeper in love, Lowen navigates suspicious incidents that leave her questioning appearance versus reality. Ultimately, through her intense relationship with Jeremy and her burgeoning sense of empowerment, Lowen learns to confront the most difficult emotions to protect herself and those she loves.
Jeremy Crawford
A devoted husband and father, Jeremy Crawford attempts to carry the burden of everyone around him. A fierce protector, he maintains a steadfast focus on doing what is best for his one remaining child, his son Crew. Jeremy feels an instant connection to writer Lowen Ashleigh by way of their shared grief and trauma. He attempts to quell his growing desire for Lowen but is unable to deny their emotional bond. He begins to rely on Lowen’s guidance and support. Following the death of his second child, Jeremy struggles with a growing mistrust toward his wife Verity who was present at the time of Harper’s death. This mistrust leads Jeremy to take irrevocable and violent action that he believes will avenge Harper’s death. Unaware that his actions were based on a fictional writing exercise—not the truth—Jeremy is able to move forward with minimal guilt for murdering Verity.
Verity Crawford
A prolific and successful writer, Verity Crawford has a nearly fatal accident that leaves her immobilized. The details of her accident and the deaths of her two daughters are shrouded in mystery. Throughout much of the novel, Verity seemingly haunts Lowen Ashleigh, the co-writer who has been assigned the task of finishing the remaining three books in Verity’s series. Her autobiography paints a picture of an obsessive, “sex-crazed” woman who will do anything to maintain her position as the most important figure in her husband’s life. Estranged from her religious family, Verity appears to be the embodiment of a selfish disregard for maternal responsibility in her pursuit of her husband’s full attention. Yet this version of Verity is revealed to be a fictional construction. Verity’s words hold power throughout the novel as she influences the actions of those around her, but her skill as a writer is also her undoing. Lowen and Jeremy believe her autobiography is an accurate reflection of events, not a fictional writing exercise exploring her own dark emotions and guilt, and so they feel justified in murdering her.
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