Little Stranger

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of emotional abuse, physical abuse, graphic violence, rape, substance use, cursing, and sexual content.

Malachi’s narration is addressed to his “beautiful, smart, and twisted Olivia,” whom he claims “[has] everyone else fooled” (119). He recalls her “depravity,” a quality he likes in her. In the six months since he was released from prison for grievously injuring Jamieson, he has been stalking Olivia, sending her gifts, listening to her calls, and reading her journals, which reveal her fantasies of consenting non-consent and somnophilia (sex while one partner is asleep). He dislikes her claims via voicemail that she is “sorry,” which he feels is inadequate compared to seeking him out. He is angry that she didn’t visit him in prison. He plans to “break her,” and his threats include rape.

Malachi follows Olivia each morning as she heads to her job at the courthouse, where she works as her mother’s assistant. She is engaged but still unmarried as he ensures that all potential spouses “have mysteriously vanished” (122). He schemes about how to kill his parents if the wedding is ever scheduled.

Malachi breaks into Olivia’s apartment, something he does regularly, including while she is disoriented from the drugs he puts into her beverages.