"Second Glance" Summary

Introduction

Imagine a sleepy Vermont town, haunted by whispers of the past and the threat of a modern real estate development. Now, add a ghost hunter still grieving the love of his life, a tenacious teenage girl with a mysterious illness, and a decades-old crime that desperately demands justice. Welcome to "Second Glance" by Jodi Picoult—a gripping, genre-blending novel that fuses supernatural suspense with historical drama, all wrapped in Picoult’s signature emotional storytelling.

“Second Glance” doesn’t just ask if ghosts exist. It asks: What does it mean to be haunted—by grief, by injustice, by the choices of those who came before us? And can understanding the past offer us a second chance? Buckle up. Whether you’re a college student dissecting narrative layers or a lecturer seeking new teaching material, this summary will guide you through the book’s twists, turns, and lingering questions, all while keeping spoilers to a minimum.

Historical Context

Picoult masterfully roots her story in two distinct time periods: contemporary Vermont and the 1930s, when the eugenics movement swept across America. If you think eugenics was just a European phenomenon, think again. Vermont—yes, the land of maple syrup—once embraced policies aimed at “improving” the human race, leading to forced sterilizations, especially among marginalized groups like Native Americans and the poor.

Picoult draws on actual history, referencing figures such as Henry Perkins, a real Vermont eugenicist. The echoes of these policies shape the fates of Picoult’s characters and challenge readers to reckon with the past’s moral gray areas.

Brief Synopsis

Plot Overview

At the heart of “Second Glance” is Ross Wakeman, a professional ghost hunter who would give anything for a sign from his deceased fiancée, Aimee. When he’s invited to tiny Comtosook, Vermont, to investigate paranormal disturbances on a proposed development site, he stumbles into a mystery that refuses to stay buried.

His quest intertwines with the story of Cecelia Pike, a young Abenaki woman from the 1930s, and a forbidden love that led to tragedy. As Ross, his eccentric sister Shelby, her sickly son Ethan, and a host of townspeople dig deeper, the line between past and present blurs—raising questions about love, loss, and the power of second chances.

Setting

• Time: The novel oscillates between present-day Vermont and the early 1930s.
• Place: The fictional town of Comtosook, Vermont—a place where everyone knows everyone, and secrets are hard to keep.
• Atmosphere: Eerie, atmospheric, and at times chilling, the setting is almost a character itself, haunted by both literal ghosts and the remnants of historical injustice.

Main Characters

Here’s a handy table to organize the cast:

Plot Summary

Let’s break down the plot into digestible sections, each weaving suspense, heartbreak, and hope.

The Ghost Hunter’s Arrival

Ross Wakeman, carrying the weight of unbearable loss, has tried—and failed—to die and reunite with Aimee. Desperate, he becomes a ghost hunter, traveling from one haunted location to the next, chasing the faintest whiff of the afterlife. His latest gig brings him to Comtosook, where developers want to build a shopping mall on land rumored to be haunted.

Ross isn’t alone. He brings along Shelby and Ethan, whose rare illness keeps them close-knit and cautious. As Ross investigates the site, he experiences chilling phenomena: cold spots, fleeting glimpses, and messages that seem meant just for him.

The Town’s Secret History

Ross’s investigation stirs up more than just angry spirits. Locals—including Meredith Oliver, the town’s geneticist—are embroiled in a battle to protect the land, which is sacred to the Abenaki tribe. Meredith, herself married to a developer, finds her loyalties tested.

Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to the 1930s, where young Cecelia Pike, part Abenaki, falls in love with Dr. Spencer Pike. Their relationship is doomed by the rising tide of eugenics and Spencer’s own involvement in the movement. A suspicious death occurs, and the truth is hidden—until present-day events threaten to bring everything to light.

The Convergence

As Ross delves deeper, he befriends Eli Rochert, the local cop, and Lucy, Meredith’s rebellious stepdaughter. Together, they uncover old photographs, letters, and medical records that hint at a crime and a cover-up. The supernatural disturbances intensify: doors slam, objects move, and visions of a ghostly woman in a blue dress become impossible to ignore.

Ethan, with his unique perspective, senses things others cannot and forms a mysterious bond with the spirits. The past and present storylines collide, revealing connections between the living and the dead, and forcing the characters to confront the legacy of Vermont’s eugenics program.

Closure and Second Chances

Ross realizes that finding peace for the ghosts may also help him find peace for himself. As the truth about Cecelia’s fate emerges, the town must reckon with its own history—and with the possibility that sometimes, love really does transcend time.

Themes and Motifs

“Second Glance” is ripe for academic analysis. Here are the central themes:

Motifs include mirrors, which reflect both literal and metaphorical truths, and photographs, which freeze moments in time and preserve secrets.

Literary Techniques and Style

Picoult’s narrative style is cinematic—think cross-cutting between timelines, with each revelation building suspense. She employs:

• Multiple Perspectives: The story unfolds through the eyes of various characters, allowing readers to empathize with diverse points of view.
• Nonlinear Timeline: The past and present are intricately woven, with flashbacks and historical documents.
• Symbolism: Objects like photographs, mirrors, and even the Vermont landscape are loaded with symbolic meaning.
• Realism and Supernatural Elements: Picoult blends gritty realism with moments of the uncanny, keeping readers on edge.
• Moral Ambiguity: No character is purely good or evil; everyone harbors secrets and regrets, reflecting the messy reality of human nature.

Her prose is accessible yet evocative—ideal for both casual readers and those seeking literary depth.

Author's Background

Jodi Picoult is one of America’s most prolific and best-loved contemporary novelists. Born in 1966, she earned a master’s degree from Harvard and has written over 25 novels, many tackling controversial social and ethical issues. Picoult’s work is known for its meticulous research, moral complexity, and emotionally charged narratives.

Her other bestsellers, such as “My Sister’s Keeper” and “Nineteen Minutes,” often appear on college syllabi for their thought-provoking themes. With “Second Glance,” she delved into the dark chapter of American eugenics, bringing both empathy and rigor to her storytelling.

Picoult’s legacy lies in her ability to humanize difficult subjects, encouraging readers to question easy answers and to seek justice, empathy, and understanding.

Key Takeaways

• The scars of history can linger for generations, shaping lives and communities.
• Grief is not just about letting go, but about finding new ways to hold on.
• Justice sometimes demands confronting uncomfortable truths, even when the world would rather forget.
• Love can bridge the gap between past and present, and between the living and the dead.
• Science and faith may seem at odds, but both are driven by a search for truth.
• Standing up for what’s right often means challenging systems and beliefs we take for granted.

Reader's Takeaway

“Second Glance” is more than a ghost story. It’s a reminder that we all live in the shadow of the past—and that redemption is possible, if we have the courage to seek it. Whether you’re drawn to the supernatural, historical drama, or emotional journeys, this novel delivers.

You’ll come away not just entertained, but challenged: How do our actions ripple through time? How much do we owe to history’s victims? And what would you do if given a second chance?

Conclusion

Jodi Picoult’s “Second Glance” is a masterclass in blending suspense, history, and heartfelt drama. It asks readers to confront uncomfortable truths, to empathize with those on society’s margins, and to believe in both the power of love and the necessity of justice.

If you’re looking for a book that will haunt you—in the best possible way—pick up “Second Glance.” You’ll find yourself pondering its questions long after the last page is turned. And who knows? You might just start seeing the world with, well, a second glance.

Ready to dive deeper? Open the book. The ghosts—and the answers—are waiting.