In today’s post, I am introducing to wonderful psychological thriller by Colleen Hoover titled Verity. This book is a gripping and suspenseful story that will, probably, make you question your own perceptions of reality. I promise no spoilers, though.
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Verity Summary
Verity is a riveting psychological thriller and romantic suspense novel by Colleen Hoover that delves into the intricate dynamics of love, obsession, and deceit. The story unfolds through the eyes of Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer grappling with her own personal tragedies, who unexpectedly receives an opportunity to ghostwrite the remaining books in a successful series for the renowned, but incapacitated, author Verity Crawford.
The novel begins with Lowen being approached by Jeremy Crawford, Verity’s husband, and their publisher to complete the bestselling series due to Verity’s debilitating injuries from a car accident. As a part of the agreement, Lowen is given access to Verity’s extensive notes and drafts to maintain continuity in the series. She moves into the Crawford family home to research Verity’s work, where she uncovers a chilling, unpublished autobiography that reveals the dark and twisted mind of Verity Crawford.
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As Lowen delves deeper into Verity’s manuscript, she is confronted with disturbing revelations about the Crawford family’s past, including the tragic deaths of their two daughters, Harper and Chastin. Verity’s autobiography paints a sinister portrait of her psyche, exposing her as a manipulative and cold-hearted individual, capable of causing harm to her own children. This discovery leaves Lowen questioning the true nature of the woman she is supposed to emulate in her writing, as well as the intentions of those around her.
While living in the Crawford home, Lowen develops a complicated relationship with Jeremy, as their mutual attraction and shared grief over their respective losses bring them closer together. This burgeoning romance, however, is fraught with guilt and hesitation, as Lowen struggles with the implications of her feelings towards Jeremy while trying to remain loyal to her professional commitment.
As the tension builds, Lowen is caught in a web of uncertainty, forced to decipher the truth from the lies in Verity’s autobiography. The suspense reaches a fever pitch as Lowen’s discoveries and her growing relationship with Jeremy lead her to confront the possibility that Verity may not be as incapacitated as she seems, and that her presence in the Crawford home could put her own life in danger.
Colleen Hoover masterfully weaves together a thrilling narrative that explores the complexities of human nature, the power of obsession, and the consequences of deceit. Verity is a captivating and chilling read that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, questioning the true nature of its enigmatic characters, and leaving them with a lingering sense of unease long after the final page has been turned.
Verity Characters
Verity features a cast of intriguing characters that drive the suspenseful narrative. The main characters in the novel include:
1. Lowen Ashleigh – A struggling writer who is hired to ghostwrite the remaining books in Verity Crawford’s successful series.
2. Verity Crawford – A bestselling author who has suffered incapacitating injuries in a car accident. She is the subject of the chilling unpublished autobiography that Lowen discovers.
3. Jeremy Crawford – Verity’s husband, who approaches Lowen with the ghostwriting opportunity. He becomes romantically involved with Lowen as they bond over their shared grief.
4. Harper Crawford – The eldest daughter of Verity and Jeremy, who tragically died in an accident.
5. Chastin Crawford – The younger daughter of Verity and Jeremy, who also suffered a tragic death.
These characters form the core of the story, with each playing a significant role in the unfolding mystery and the emotional turmoil that Lowen experiences throughout the novel.
Verity Main Themes
Verity by Colleen Hoover explores a number of themes that create a gripping and thought-provoking narrative. Some of the main themes in the novel include:
1. Obsession: The novel delves into the destructive nature of obsession, as seen through Verity’s fixation on her own dark thoughts and actions, as well as Lowen’s increasing preoccupation with Verity’s manuscript and her relationship with Jeremy.
2. Deception and Manipulation: Throughout the story, characters deceive and manipulate one another, leading to a complex web of lies and intrigue. Verity’s autobiography, in particular, stands as a testament to the power of deceit and the lengths people will go to in order to maintain control over their lives and the lives of others.
3. Love and Betrayal: The complicated relationships in the novel bring into focus the blurred lines between love and betrayal. Lowen and Jeremy’s growing connection, despite his marriage to Verity, highlights the struggle between loyalty and desire.
4. Grief and Loss: Verity touches on the impact of grief and loss, as both Lowen and Jeremy grapple with the deaths of loved ones. Their shared experiences of loss bring them closer together, while also shaping their actions and decisions throughout the story.
5. The Unreliable Narrator: The novel explores the concept of the unreliable narrator through Verity’s manuscript, which raises questions about the truthfulness of her account and her motivations for writing such a disturbing narrative. This theme challenges the reader to constantly question the reality of the characters’ experiences.
6. The Nature of Evil: Verity examines the nature of evil through the character of Verity Crawford, who is portrayed as a manipulative and cold-hearted individual in her autobiography. The novel encourages readers to contemplate the depths of human depravity and the capacity for cruelty that lies within seemingly ordinary individuals.
Verity Book Club Questions
Here are some thought-provoking questions to spark discussion about the main themes of the novel:
1. What were your initial impressions of Lowen as the protagonist? Did your opinion of her change throughout the novel?
2. How did the discovery of Verity’s unpublished manuscript affect the way you perceived her character? Were you surprised by the revelations it contained?
3. Discuss the relationship between Lowen and Jeremy. How did their shared experiences contribute to their growing bond? Were their actions justifiable, considering the circumstances?
4. To what extent do you believe Verity’s autobiography is a truthful account of her thoughts and actions? What might have motivated her to write such a disturbing narrative?
5. The novel explores themes of obsession, manipulation, and deceit. How do these themes manifest in the characters’ actions and relationships throughout the story?
6. How did the setting of the Crawford family home contribute to the overall atmosphere of the novel? In what ways did it heighten the sense of suspense and unease?
7. What role does grief play in the novel? How does it impact the characters’ decision-making and relationships with one another?
8. Were you satisfied with the ending of the novel? What do you believe happens to the characters after the conclusion of the story?
9. In what ways does Colleen Hoover use narrative techniques, such as an unreliable narrator and shifting perspectives, to create suspense and maintain the reader’s interest?
10. If you were in Lowen’s position, how would you have handled the discoveries she made and the choices she faced? Would you have made different decisions?
Verity Quotes
Here are some insightful quotes from Verity:
“Find what you love and let it kill you.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“And that’s why I stay at home and write. I think the idea of me is better than the reality of me.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“No one is likable from the inside out.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“It’s natural, to assume the worst in people, even if that assumption is only for a split second” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“Some families are lucky enough to never experience a single tragedy. But then there are those families that seem to have tragedies waiting on the back burner. What can go wrong, goes wrong. And then gets worse.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“A writer should never have the audacity to write about themselves unless they’re willing to separate every layer of protection between the author’s soul and their book.”― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“Giving in to cravings of the mind that ultimately hurt the body is like a weak parent giving in to her child.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“What you read will taste so bad at times, you’ll want to spit it out, but you’ll swallow these words and they will become part of you, part of your gut, and you will hurt because of them.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“The world was her manuscript. No surface was safe.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity
“One should only walk away from an autobiography with, at best, an uncomfortable distaste for its author.” ― Colleen Hoover, Verity