The Quiet Tenant

How might the narrative change if Aidan’s perspective were directly revealed through the narration? How might his voice complicate, complement, or dilute Michallon’s aims to keep the focus on the targets of such crimes rather than the perpetrators?

Why does Michallon wait so long to reveal “Rachel’s” real name? How does the protagonist’s lack of a real name emphasize her situation within the overall narrative, and how does it alter your perception of her character?

The novel concludes with Emily and May/“Rachel’s” hug, and the latter’s disclosure of Cecilia’s new living arrangements. Use this information to extend the novel’s denouement. What might the lives of these women look like moving forward? How might their past experiences affect their responses to stressful or dangerous situations? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

Analyze Emily’s character. Is Emily more like Aidan, “Rachel,” or Cecilia? How does Emily’s character help to develop the theme of Shared Empathy Between Women?

Does Aidan frequent Amandine as part of his usual process of stalking and observing a new target, or is Emily more to him than just a potential victim? What purpose might these biweekly visits have served for him amidst all the changes occurring in his life? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

Identify at least three examples of strategic foreshadowing in the text, and explain how these examples increase tension and/or create a sense of dramatic irony.

What features does Aidan share with some of the more notable serial killers whose crimes continue to be rehashed in true crime content? How does Aidan typify classic predatory behavior, and how does he deviate from what might be expected?

“Rachel,” Cecilia’s, and Emily’s chapters present starkly contrasting perspectives, for they each possess widely varying degrees of information about Aidan. How do their comparative gaps in knowledge shape the reader’s collective impression of Aidan as a person? How do their inherent biases color their perspective? Use specific examples from the text to illustrate your point.