The Sun Down Motel

Both Viv and Carly know that simply existing as a woman is dangerous. Simon Hess—a serial killer and rapist—represents the extreme end of a spectrum of societal misogyny. Men feel entitled to women’s bodies, but rather than addressing this, society tends to blame women for their victimization. The radio and news networks that Viv listens to list objects for women to carry to protect themselves, as though it is women’s responsibility to fend off would-be attackers. At the same time, society values women’s safety so little that women who try to be proactive often struggle to find the tools they need to protect themselves; the young man in the hardware store explains that they don’t carry mace despite people asking if they carry it all the time.

Viv ultimately arms herself with a hunting knife, reflecting the determination of the novel’s female characters to fight back. Viv and Carly both work the night shift at the motel despite knowing the danger it places them in as solitary women. Alma describes to Viv in detail how working the night shift as the only female police officer has required her to ignore certain comments and jokes. Marnie is also aware of the possible dangers of being a photographer for private clients, especially in the case of Helen’s husband. These women have different reasons for acting as they do. At least initially, Viv sees her job at the hotel as a means of independence, and she is willing to risk her safety to live fully and freely. However, Viv and Carly also empathize with Simon’s victims and feel a responsibility to help their fellow women.

This sense of solidarity informs the various sacrifices female characters make. Viv sacrifices her identity and innocence by killing Simon Hess. The murder forces her into a life of isolation under a new identity, and she then sacrifices that life too by turning herself into the police and confessing after meeting her niece, Carly. Marnie and Alma also make sacrifices, risking their own lives by assisting Viv in the cover-up of Simon Hess’s death. Like Viv, they put themselves in harm’s way to secure justice for Simon’s victims and to protect other women from him. Carly also seeks justice and retribution, though in a more cautious and subtle way: through interviews and remaining authentic in her identity.