Welcome to Wonderland's Secrets

Wonderland Amusement Park, the pride of Seaside, Washington, is a place of nostalgia and opportunity for young workers. But beneath the cheerful jingle and purple uniforms, secrets fester. The park's owner, Nick Bishop, and his niece, CEO Bianca Bishop, run a tight ship, but the park's history is tainted by the legacy of Jack Shaw, a predator who once owned the park. As the summer season begins, a new batch of Wonder Workers arrives, including Ava Castro, daughter of the new deputy police chief, Vanessa Castro, who has just moved to Seaside to escape her own troubled past. The stage is set for a summer that will unravel the park's darkest mysteries.

The Dead Body in the Midway

Early one morning, Oscar Trejo, Wonderland's VP of operations, finds a decomposing body at the base of the Wonder Wheel. The dead man's face is unrecognizable, likely eaten by animals, and the police are called in. The discovery sends shockwaves through the park and the town, threatening the carefully maintained image of Wonderland. Social media quickly dubs the victim "Homeless Harry," and the park is forced to close for the day. The incident draws the attention of Vanessa Castro, who is determined to prove herself in her new role, even as she senses the town's reluctance to look too closely at Wonderland's problems.

Vanessa Castro Arrives

Vanessa Castro, recently widowed and carrying the weight of a scandal from her time in Seattle, is determined to start fresh in Seaside. She's met with suspicion and coldness from the local police, who are fiercely loyal to the town's traditions and to Wonderland. Vanessa's children, Ava and John-John, struggle to adjust, especially as Vanessa throws herself into the investigation. Her first day is a whirlwind of introductions, awkward encounters, and the realization that the town's power structure is deeply entwined with the park's fortunes.

The Wonder Wheel Kid

Blake Dozier, a thrill-seeking Wonder Worker, climbs the Wonder Wheel at dawn, snapping a defiant selfie in his uniform and posting it online. His act is both a personal rebellion—aimed at Bianca Bishop, with whom he had a secret affair—and a bid for viral fame. But as the park's security footage reveals, Blake vanishes after his stunt. He becomes the next missing person in a growing list of young men who have disappeared from Wonderland, and his fate is soon linked to the body found in the midway.

Underneath the Clown Museum

Blake awakens bound and disoriented in a cold, dark cell beneath the Clown Museum, a place rumored to exist but dismissed as urban legend. He is not alone—there are signs of other captives, and the presence of a monstrous captor. As he struggles to survive, the lines between hallucination and reality blur. The dungeon is a physical manifestation of Wonderland's buried traumas, and Blake's ordeal becomes a race against time as the investigation above ground intensifies.

Social Media Storm

The dead body and Blake's Wonder Wheel selfie ignite a firestorm online. The park's management scrambles to control the narrative, but rumors and hashtags spread faster than official statements. The town's dependence on Wonderland's success means that everyone—from the police chief to the mayor—has a stake in minimizing the damage. Meanwhile, Vanessa and her team dig deeper, uncovering a pattern of missing boys, all with ties to the park and all sharing a similar "Wonderland look." Social media and public perception amplifies the tension between image and reality.

Bianca's Power Games

Bianca Bishop, Wonderland's enigmatic CEO, is both feared and desired. She wields her authority with calculated charm, seducing young male employees and discarding them when they become inconvenient. Her relationships with Blake, Aiden Cole, and others are more than just affairs—they are part of a pattern that leaves a trail of broken boys. Bianca's own trauma and ambition drive her, but her actions have made her both a suspect and a target as the investigation closes in.

Old Wounds, New Crimes

The investigation into Homeless Harry's identity reveals he is Aiden Cole, a Wonder Worker who vanished three years earlier. Vanessa discovers that Aiden, like other missing boys, had a secret relationship with Bianca. The park's history of abuse under Jack Shaw resurfaces, and old crimes cast long shadows. Oscar, Bianca, and Glenn Hovey—the troubled security guard—are all implicated by their silence and complicity. Vanessa's own past, including her affair with a criminal and her husband's tragic death, mirrors the town's struggle to confront its demons.

Missing Boys, Haunted Town

Vanessa and her allies connect the dots between Aiden, Blake, Tyler Wilkins, and Kyle Grimmie—all young, blond, and last seen at Wonderland. The police files are thin, and former deputy chief Carl Weiss is revealed to have deliberately neglected the cases, pressured by the town's elite to protect the park's reputation. The missing boys' families, especially Tanner Wilkins, demand answers. The sense of dread grows as it becomes clear that a predator has been operating in Seaside for years, hiding in plain sight.

The Security Guard's Past

Glenn Hovey, the park's longtime security guard, is a damaged survivor of Jack Shaw's abuse. He is both a victim and a suspect, his odd behavior and collection of Wonder Worker ID cards making him an easy target for suspicion. But as Vanessa digs deeper, she realizes that Hovey may have been set up, and that the real killer is someone with access, intelligence, and a personal vendetta. The investigation turns inward, and the line between protector and predator blurs. Red herrings and misdirection keep the true killer hidden.

Ava's First Day

Ava Castro, eager to escape her mother's shadow and her own grief, starts her job at Wonderland. She befriends Xander, a charming older Wonder Worker, and is quickly drawn into the park's social world. But beneath the surface, she senses the park's darkness—creepy janitors, whispered rumors, and the ever-present threat of being watched. Ava's journey mirrors the loss of innocence that haunts Wonderland, and her curiosity will soon put her in grave danger.

Family Fractures

The Castro family's wounds are raw. Vanessa and Ava clash over independence, safety, and the past, culminating in a painful argument that exposes their deepest hurts. Vanessa's guilt over her husband's death and her own mistakes threatens to unravel her, even as she throws herself into the case. Ava, desperate for connection and belonging, makes choices that will have lasting consequences. The family's struggle is a microcosm of the town's denial and the cost of secrets.

The Devil's Dukes Connection

Vanessa's investigation leads her to the Devil's Dukes, a local biker club run by Tanner Wilkins, whose son Tyler is among the missing. The club's history with the police and the park reveals a web of corruption, favoritism, and cover-ups. Tanner's grief and rage are palpable, and his demand for justice forces Vanessa to confront the town's complicity. The club's presence is a reminder that Seaside's underbelly is never far from the surface.

The List of Victims

As more evidence surfaces, Vanessa compiles a list of potential victims—all young, all connected to Wonderland, all sharing the same physical type. The realization that a serial killer has been operating for years shakes the town's foundations. The police department's failures, especially under Carl Weiss and Earl Schultz, are exposed. The pressure mounts to solve the case before another boy disappears—or worse, before Ava becomes the next victim.

The Dragon Lady's Lovers

The truth about Bianca's relationships with the missing boys comes out, and her carefully constructed image begins to crumble. She is arrested for obstruction and conspiracy, but her power and connections make her a formidable adversary. Oscar, torn between loyalty and guilt, confesses to helping cover up the murder of Nick Bishop, who was believed dead but is later found alive in the dungeon. The park's leadership is revealed to be as corrupt and damaged as the institution itself.

The Dungeon's Hidden Truth

Ava, trapped in the Clown Museum's dressing room, discovers the secret door to the underground dungeon. There, she finds Blake, barely alive, and comes face to face with the true killer—Detective Donnie Ambrose, a former Wonder Worker obsessed with Bianca and driven to murder by jealousy and rejection. The dungeon is a graveyard of Wonderland's victims, and Ava's fight for survival becomes the climax of the story. The sins of the past and present collide in a desperate struggle for escape.

Ava in Peril

As Donnie prepares to kill Ava, she fights back with every ounce of strength and cunning she has. Vanessa, realizing her daughter is missing, mobilizes the police and her allies to search the park. The final confrontation in the dungeon is a battle of wills, with Ava's life hanging in the balance. The arrival of the police, Oscar, and Jerry Isaac turns the tide, but not before more blood is shed and the full extent of the horror is revealed.

The Final Unmasking

Donnie is killed in the struggle, and the bodies of the missing boys—and Nick Bishop, alive but broken—are found in the dungeon. The town reels from the revelations: the serial killer was one of their own, the park's leadership is complicit, and the legacy of abuse stretches back decades. Bianca and Oscar are arrested, Glenn Hovey is exonerated for the recent crimes but faces justice for his own, and Vanessa is left to pick up the pieces. Ava's survival is a testament to resilience, but the scars will linger.

Wonderland's Reckoning

In the aftermath, Seaside must confront the truth about Wonderland and itself. The park's future is uncertain, its reputation in ruins. Vanessa, Ava, and John-John consider leaving for a new start, while the families of the victims seek closure. The story ends with a sense of hard-won justice, but also the knowledge that healing will take time. Wonderland's magic is gone, replaced by the sobering reality of what was hidden beneath the surface all along.

Characters

Vanessa Castro

Vanessa is the newly appointed deputy chief of Seaside PD, fleeing scandal and grief after her husband's death and a career-ending affair in Seattle. She is fiercely intelligent, driven by a need to prove herself and protect her children, Ava and John-John. Vanessa's psychological complexity is rooted in guilt, trauma, and a relentless sense of responsibility. Her outsider status gives her clarity and courage to challenge the town's corrupt power structure. Over the course of the story, she evolves from a woman running from her past to a leader who confronts evil head-on, risking everything to save her daughter and bring justice to the victims.

Ava Castro

Ava is Vanessa's fourteen-year-old daughter, struggling with her father's death, her mother's emotional distance, and the upheaval of moving to Seaside. She is intelligent, resourceful, and eager to assert her independence, but also deeply lonely and searching for belonging. Ava's job at Wonderland exposes her to both the park's allure and its dangers. Her journey from innocence to survivor is marked by courage, quick thinking, and a fierce will to live. Her relationship with Vanessa is fraught but ultimately redemptive, as both mother and daughter learn to trust and rely on each other.

Bianca Bishop

Bianca is the CEO of Wonderland, niece of the park's owner, and the story's most enigmatic figure. She is both a predator and a victim, using her power and sexuality to control young male employees while hiding her own trauma and loneliness. Bianca's psychological profile is marked by narcissism, sociopathy, and a desperate need for control. Her relationships are transactional, and her inability to form genuine connections leads to a trail of destruction. Ultimately, her complicity in the park's crimes and her own acts of violence bring about her downfall.

Oscar Trejo

Oscar is Wonderland's VP of operations, a childhood friend of Nick Bishop, and a survivor of Jack Shaw's abuse. He is torn between loyalty to the park, his love for Bianca, and his growing feelings for Vanessa. Oscar's role as both protector and enabler makes him a tragic figure—he helps cover up crimes out of fear and love, but ultimately confesses and aids in the final reckoning. His journey is one of painful self-awareness and the search for redemption.

Donnie Ambrose

Donnie is a young detective at Seaside PD, initially Vanessa's ally and confidant. Beneath his friendly exterior lies a deeply disturbed psyche, shaped by rejection, obsession with Bianca, and a history as a Wonder Worker. Donnie's transformation from trusted partner to serial killer is chilling—his intelligence and access make him a formidable adversary. His crimes are driven by jealousy, rage, and a twisted sense of love, and his final confrontation with Ava exposes the full extent of his pathology.

Glenn Hovey

Glenn is the park's longtime security guard, a victim of Jack Shaw's abuse, and a man haunted by trauma. His odd behavior and collection of Wonder Worker ID cards make him a suspect, but he is ultimately revealed to be more victim than villain. Glenn's story is a commentary on the long-term effects of abuse and the ease with which society scapegoats the vulnerable.

Nick Bishop

Nick is the founder and owner of Wonderland, believed dead but discovered alive in the dungeon after years of captivity. His disappearance and the cover-up orchestrated by Bianca and Oscar are central to the park's rot. Nick's survival is both a miracle and a tragedy—he is a living reminder of the consequences of denial and the cost of secrets.

Jerry Isaac

Jerry is a retired Seattle detective and private investigator, called in by Vanessa to help solve the case. He brings experience, empathy, and a fresh perspective, untainted by Seaside's insularity. Jerry's presence grounds Vanessa and provides crucial support, both professionally and personally. He represents the possibility of healing and moving forward.

Tanner Wilkins

Tanner is the head of the Devil's Dukes and father of missing Tyler Wilkins. His pain and anger drive him to demand accountability from the police and the town. Tanner's character embodies the cost of institutional failure and the need for community reckoning. His arc is one of loss, resilience, and the hope for closure.

Blake Dozier

Blake is the "Wonder Wheel Kid," whose viral stunt and subsequent disappearance set the investigation in motion. His secret relationship with Bianca and his fate in the dungeon make him both a symbol of the park's allure and its dangers. Blake's ordeal and survival are central to the story's emotional impact, highlighting the vulnerability of those drawn into Wonderland's orbit.

Plot Devices

Dual timelines and shifting perspectives

The novel employs multiple points of view—Vanessa, Ava, Oscar, Bianca, Blake, and others—to gradually unveil the park's secrets. Flashbacks to the past (Jack Shaw's abuse, Bianca's formative years, Oscar's trauma) are layered with present-day investigations, creating a sense of inevitability and dread. This structure allows the reader to piece together the mystery alongside the characters, while also exploring the psychological motivations behind each action.

The motif of performance and masks

The park itself is a stage, with employees donning uniforms, makeup, and roles to entertain guests. This motif extends to the characters, who hide their true selves behind facades—Bianca's charm, Oscar's loyalty, Donnie's affability, Vanessa's professionalism. The Clown Museum and the Dollhouse are literal and symbolic spaces where innocence and horror collide. The motif underscores the theme that evil often hides in plain sight.

Social media and public perception

The spread of Blake's selfie and the "Homeless Harry" photo on social media amplifies the tension between Wonderland's wholesome image and its dark reality. The town's obsession with reputation and denial of wrongdoing is mirrored in the frantic attempts to control the narrative online. This device heightens the stakes and reflects contemporary anxieties about image, truth, and accountability.

Red herrings and misdirection

The narrative skillfully deploys red herrings—Glenn Hovey's oddness, Bianca's predatory behavior, Oscar's complicity—to keep the reader guessing. The true killer, Donnie, is hidden in plain sight, his crimes masked by his role as detective and friend. The use of misdirection not only sustains suspense but also critiques the ways institutions protect their own and fail the vulnerable.

The dungeon as metaphor

The hidden dungeon beneath the Clown Museum is both a literal site of horror and a metaphor for the secrets, traumas, and abuses that fester when left unacknowledged. It is the place where the past is buried, victims are silenced, and the town's collective guilt is made manifest. The final descent into the dungeon is a journey into the heart of darkness, from which only truth and confrontation can offer escape.

Analysis

Wonderland is a chilling exploration of how evil can thrive beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic communities, especially when institutions prioritize reputation over truth. Jennifer Hillier's novel uses the microcosm of an amusement park to examine the long-term effects of abuse, the dangers of unchecked power, and the corrosive impact of secrets. The story's emotional core lies in the relationship between Vanessa and Ava, whose struggles with grief, guilt, and trust mirror the town's own journey toward reckoning. The novel critiques the complicity of those who look away—whether out of fear, loyalty, or self-interest—and the ways in which trauma is perpetuated across generations. Ultimately, Wonderland is a story about survival, the necessity of confronting the past, and the hope that comes from breaking cycles of silence. Its lessons are timely: that justice requires courage, that healing demands honesty, and that true safety can only be built on truth.

Last updated: November 25, 2025