Nightmares and Warnings

Abby Ward wakes in terror, haunted by nightmares that always signal the Stitcher's return to Doubtful, Illinois. The town is gripped by fear, following strict rules to avoid being taken by the mysterious killer. Abby checks on her sister Hope and her withdrawn mother, then reaches out to her friends—the Jackrabbits—who are also plagued by nightmares. The group's bond is forged by shared trauma and the ever-present threat of the Stitcher, a killer who leaves behind bodies sewn with red thread. The sense of dread is palpable, and the town's fragile peace is shattered when news of a new body surfaces, confirming that the cycle of horror has begun again.

The Rules of Survival

The Jackrabbits—Abby, Rhys, Riya, and Connor—live by a set of rules: never go out after dark, always tell someone where you're going, and never travel alone. These rules are their shield against the Stitcher, whose presence is marked by failing technology, dead animals, and nightmares. The group investigates the latest crime scene, observing the police and the enigmatic Charles Vickers, the town's prime suspect. Vickers' chilling calm and the police's impotence reinforce the sense of helplessness. The friends' vigilance and rituals are all that stand between them and the fate of so many others in Doubtful.

The Town of Doubtful

Doubtful is a place where hope withers and dreams of escape rarely come true. Missing person posters litter the streets, and the townspeople live in denial or fear. Newcomer Jen and her father, the new police officer, struggle to understand the town's strange rules and the community's silence. The Jackrabbits try to warn Jen, but she dismisses their stories as hazing. Meanwhile, Abby's home life is fraught with anxiety—her mother's mental health deteriorates as the Stitcher's presence grows, and Abby shoulders the burden of protecting her family. The town's decay mirrors the psychological toll on its residents.

The Stitcher's Shadow

Charles Vickers, the suspected Stitcher, is both ordinary and terrifying. He moves freely through the town, ordering red thread from the local store and unnerving everyone he meets. The townspeople's superstitions and offerings to Vickers reveal their desperation. Abby's father once tried to confront Vickers and never returned, deepening her trauma. The group's investigation is a mix of fear, anger, and helplessness, as they realize that the Stitcher is always one step ahead, protected by the town's apathy and his own cunning.

The Jackrabbits Unite

The Jackrabbits gather at the lakeside, their sanctuary, to share their deepest fears and reaffirm their bond. Each member is marked by loss and anxiety—Hope fears being forgotten, Connor fears abandonment, Riya fears her efforts will be in vain, and Rhys fears losing those he loves. Abby's fear of the dark and being lost is a metaphor for the town's collective trauma. Their vulnerability is interrupted by a supernatural disturbance, and the sense of being hunted intensifies. The group's unity is their only defense against the encroaching darkness.

Signs and Sacrifices

As the Stitcher's influence grows, technology fails, animals die, and the town's atmosphere becomes oppressive. Abby's mother's behavior worsens, digging holes in the yard in a futile attempt to protect her family. The Jackrabbits' rules are tested as they struggle to maintain normalcy. The group's attempts to warn Jen and understand the Stitcher's patterns are met with skepticism and frustration. The cost of survival is high—Abby's family is fracturing, and the friends are forced to confront the limits of their power in the face of an ancient evil.

The Newcomer's Doubt

Jen, still skeptical, is drawn deeper into the town's mysteries. She witnesses the aftermath of violence and the community's eerie acceptance of horror. Her father, too, is unsettled by the police's indifference and the town's unspoken rules. Jen's encounter with the red thread in the woods and the warnings from townsfolk begin to erode her disbelief. The Jackrabbits' stories, once dismissed, start to make sense as Jen realizes that Doubtful's evil is real and pervasive, and that she, too, is now entangled in its web.

The Taking of Hope

Abby's worst fear comes true when Hope is abducted in the night. The signs were there—blood on the windowsill, a torn screen, and silence where there should have been screams. Abby's frantic search is futile, and the police are powerless or unwilling to help. The group's rules have failed, and the sense of safety is obliterated. Abby's grief and guilt are overwhelming, but she refuses to give up. The Jackrabbits rally, determined to find Hope, even as the town's apathy and the Stitcher's cunning threaten to defeat them.

Into the Monster's Lair

The friends' investigation leads them to the survivor, Bridgette Holm, who reveals the true nature of the Stitcher—a monster born from the town's mining past, stitched together by grief and rage. The mines beneath Doubtful are a labyrinth of horror, and the Stitcher's lair is marked by red thread and the remains of countless victims. The group's search for Hope becomes a journey into the heart of darkness, where the boundaries between human and monster blur, and survival depends on courage, love, and sacrifice.

The Survivor's Tale

Bridgette's story is one of terror and endurance. She survived the mines by chance, losing her legs to the Stitcher but escaping with her life. Her account reveals the Stitcher's origin: Silas Wright, resurrected by his mother's grief and red thread, became an immortal predator in the darkness. The town's history is one of denial and complicity, with the police unable to stop the monster and Vickers, Silas's descendant, acting as its guardian. The friends realize that defeating the Stitcher will require confronting both the monster and the town's legacy of fear.

The Descent Begins

Armed with knowledge and supplies, Abby and Rhys descend into the mines through the trapdoor in Vickers's house. The others stay behind, unable to follow but offering support. The descent is claustrophobic and perilous, marked by red thread and the bones of victims. The darkness is absolute, and the sense of being watched is overwhelming. Abby's determination to save Hope is matched by Rhys's loyalty, and together they navigate the labyrinth, guided by maps, memory, and the hope that they are not too late.

The Maze of Threads

The mines are a maze of tunnels, threads, and death. Abby and Rhys encounter the Stitcher's trophies—personal items of the dead, displayed like a macabre museum. The monster stalks them, its presence felt in every echo and shadow. The rules that once protected them are tested to the limit, and the friends' bond is their only defense. The journey is a test of endurance, as exhaustion, injury, and fear threaten to overwhelm them. The search for Hope becomes a race against time and the monster's relentless hunger.

The Cutting Room

Abby and Rhys reach the Stitcher's cutting room, a chamber of blood and horror where bodies are disassembled and reassembled. They find Hope's severed arm, a moment of devastating grief that nearly breaks Abby. The Stitcher attacks, dragging Rhys into the darkness. Abby's love and determination drive her to follow, plunging into the monster's domain. The confrontation is brutal and desperate, with Abby fighting to save both Rhys and Hope from a fate worse than death.

Reunion and Escape

Against all hope, Abby finds Hope alive, traumatized but unbroken. Together, with Rhys gravely injured, they attempt to escape the mines. The Stitcher's power is waning, but its rage is undiminished. The friends are aided by the others above ground, who create a fiery barrier to block the monster's pursuit. The escape is harrowing, marked by sacrifice and the scars of survival. The Stitcher, blinded and burning, flees back to its lair, dragging Vickers with it in a final act of vengeance.

The Final Confrontation

The friends, reunited and battered, watch as Vickers's house—and the entrance to the mines—burns. The Stitcher's reign of terror ends in fire, its body consumed and its lair sealed. The town is freed from its curse, but the cost is immense. The survivors are forever changed, marked by loss, trauma, and the knowledge of what they have endured. The town's silence is both a blessing and a curse, as the truth of what happened is buried with the monster.

The Town Awakens

In the aftermath, Doubtful begins to heal. The oppressive atmosphere lifts, and the town's residents slowly reclaim their lives. The Jackrabbits remain close, their bond strengthened by shared ordeal. Hope and Abby's family begins to mend, and the friends find solace in each other. The town's history is not forgotten, but it no longer defines them. The survivors carry their scars with pride, knowing they have faced the darkness and emerged into the light.

Healing and Hope

Months later, the friends gather at the lakeside, their sanctuary, to celebrate survival and the promise of a future. The town is changed, but so are they—stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. The rules that once kept them alive are now reminders of what they have overcome. Abby and Rhys find love, Hope finds her voice, and the Jackrabbits look to the future with cautious optimism. The story ends not with fear, but with the possibility of something good, even in a place called Doubtful.

Characters

Abby Ward

Abby is the emotional and practical center of the Jackrabbits, defined by her fierce loyalty and sense of responsibility. Haunted by her father's disappearance and her mother's decline, Abby is driven by guilt and the need to protect her younger sister, Hope. Her psychological landscape is marked by anxiety, hypervigilance, and a deep fear of abandonment. Abby's journey is one of endurance—she is forced to confront her own limitations, the reality of evil, and the cost of survival. Her love for Hope and her friends is both her strength and her vulnerability, and her willingness to sacrifice herself is what ultimately saves them all.

Rhys Weekes

Rhys is defined by trauma—his parents and younger brother were taken by the Stitcher, leaving him with survivor's guilt and a profound sense of loss. He is stoic, protective, and slow to trust, but his loyalty to Abby and the group is unwavering. Rhys's psychological scars manifest as hyperawareness and a reluctance to form new attachments. His development is a gradual opening up, learning to accept help and to hope again. Rhys's courage is quiet but immense, and his willingness to face the monster that destroyed his family is both an act of vengeance and of healing.

Hope Ward

Hope is Abby's younger sister, vibrant and creative, with a longing to be seen and remembered. Her optimism is a counterpoint to the town's despair, but she is not immune to its darkness. Hope's abduction and survival in the mines mark a turning point—she is physically and emotionally scarred, but her resilience and humor endure. Her relationship with Abby is central, embodying the themes of memory, loss, and the fight against oblivion. Hope's journey is one of reclaiming agency and voice after trauma.

Riya Bhatt

Riya is the group's strategist, always thinking ahead and preparing for the worst. Her drive to escape Doubtful is fueled by fear and ambition, but also by a deep care for her friends. Riya's anxiety is both a strength and a weakness—she is often the voice of reason, but struggles with guilt and the fear of not doing enough. Her development is marked by moments of courage and vulnerability, especially when forced to confront the limits of her control. Riya's loyalty and resourcefulness are crucial to the group's survival.

Connor Crandall

Connor uses humor and self-deprecation to mask his insecurities and the pain of feeling peripheral. As the youngest in a large family and living with a chronic condition, he fears being left behind. Connor's flexibility—both literal and metaphorical—allows him to adapt, but he is also deeply loyal and brave when it matters. His role in the group is to lighten the mood, but he proves himself in moments of crisis, showing that courage comes in many forms.

Jen Thompson

Jen is the skeptical newcomer, whose outsider perspective challenges the group's assumptions and brings fresh energy. Her relationship with her father, the new police officer, is marked by mutual respect and a shared sense of justice. Jen's journey is one of belief—she moves from doubt to conviction as she witnesses the town's horrors. Her willingness to help, even at personal risk, is a testament to her integrity and adaptability. Jen's presence forces the group to articulate their fears and strategies, and her actions are pivotal in the final confrontation.

Charles Vickers

Vickers is the town's boogeyman, both ordinary and monstrous. As the last descendant of Silas Wright, he is the Stitcher's guardian and enabler, moving through Doubtful with impunity. His calm demeanor and subtle threats are more terrifying than open violence. Vickers's relationship to the monster is symbiotic—he is protected by it, and in turn, he facilitates its predation. His psychological makeup is a blend of narcissism, sadism, and a perverse sense of legacy. Vickers's downfall is both a personal and symbolic victory for the town.

The Stitcher (Silas Wright)

The Stitcher is both monster and metaphor—a being stitched together by grief, rage, and the town's history. Once a man, now a patchwork of stolen parts, the Stitcher is driven by hunger and the need to repair itself. Its power lies in its ability to paralyze and silence, reflecting the town's culture of denial. The Stitcher's relationship to Vickers and the town is parasitic, feeding on fear and complicity. Its defeat is not just a physical victory, but a breaking of the cycle of trauma.

Bridgette Holm

Bridgette is the only known survivor of the Stitcher, having escaped the mines at great personal cost. Her trauma is both physical and psychological—she is marked by loss, isolation, and the burden of knowledge. Bridgette's role is to provide the group with crucial information and a warning about the cost of confronting the monster. Her relationship to the town is one of exile; she is both a source of hope and a reminder of the price of survival.

Nicholas Rigney

Nicholas is the town's unofficial historian and a former police officer. He is defined by his pursuit of truth and his willingness to bear the town's collective memory. Nicholas's knowledge is both a gift and a curse—he is isolated by what he knows, but his guidance is essential to the group's quest. His relationship to the others is that of mentor and witness, providing context and strategy in the fight against the Stitcher.

Plot Devices

The Rules and Rituals

The Jackrabbits' rules—never go out after dark, always tell someone, never travel alone—are both practical and psychological. They provide a sense of agency in a world ruled by chaos and fear. The rituals of checking locks, watching for signs, and gathering at the lakeside are coping mechanisms, but also plot devices that structure the narrative and foreshadow danger. The breaking or failure of these rules signals turning points in the story.

Red Thread and Technology Failure

Red thread is the Stitcher's signature, marking both victims and places of horror. It is a visual motif that signals danger and connects the present to the town's haunted past. The failure of technology—phones, lights, clocks—serves as both a warning and a plot device, isolating characters and heightening tension. These elements create a sense of inevitability and supernatural influence, reinforcing the town's atmosphere of dread.

The Monster as Metaphor

The Stitcher is both a literal monster and a symbol of generational trauma, grief, and the consequences of denial. Its ability to paralyze and silence victims mirrors the town's refusal to confront its history. The monster's origin in the mines, stitched together by a mother's grief, ties personal loss to collective horror. The narrative structure uses the monster to explore themes of memory, complicity, and the struggle to break cycles of violence.

Multiple Perspectives and Flashbacks

The novel employs multiple perspectives—Abby, Jen, Rhys, and others—to provide a multifaceted view of Doubtful and its horrors. Flashbacks and survivor testimonies (Bridgette's story, Rhys's trauma) deepen the emotional resonance and provide crucial exposition. This structure allows for foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and a gradual unveiling of the town's secrets, keeping readers engaged and emotionally invested.

The Town as Character

Doubtful is more than a backdrop—it is an active force in the story, shaping the characters' destinies and reflecting their inner turmoil. The town's decay, isolation, and history of loss are mirrored in the characters' struggles. The setting's oppressive atmosphere is both a source of horror and a crucible for transformation, making the eventual healing and hope all the more powerful.

Analysis

Where He Can't Find You is a masterful exploration of trauma, community, and the struggle for agency in the face of overwhelming evil. Darcy Coates uses the supernatural horror of the Stitcher—a monster born from grief and denial—to examine how fear shapes individuals and societies. The novel's structure, with its strict rules, shifting perspectives, and layered symbolism, immerses readers in the claustrophobic world of Doubtful, where survival depends on vigilance, solidarity, and the willingness to confront painful truths. The characters' psychological depth and development—especially Abby's journey from protector to survivor, and Rhys's path from haunted victim to hopeful partner—underscore the story's central message: healing is possible, but only through courage, honesty, and connection. The defeat of the Stitcher is both a literal and metaphorical breaking of cycles—of violence, silence, and complicity. In the end, the novel offers a hard-won hope: that even in the darkest places, something good can be found, and that the scars of the past need not define the future.

Last updated: November 14, 2025