Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pacing
- Moderate
- Mood
- Suspenseful, Mysterious, Romantic, Dramatic
Untouchable Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
The Aftermath of Thomas's Death
The novel opens after Thomas Pearson's death, Reed's boyfriend. His body was found in the woods near Easton Academy. While initially ruled an accident, the circumstances are unclear. Reed, a member of the elite 'Billings Girls' clique, is devastated. Her friends – Taylor, Kiran, Noelle, and Arianna – react in unsettling ways: Taylor becomes withdrawn and takes medication, Kiran drinks heavily, Noelle shows uncharacteristic kindness, and Arianna remains detached. The school community is shaken. Rumors circulate about what happened to Thomas, casting doubt on the perfect lives of Easton Academy's students, especially those connected to Thomas and the Billings Girls.
Unsettling Behavior and Lingering Questions
As weeks pass, Reed's grief grows alongside her observations of her friends. Taylor's reliance on medication and her fragile state worry Reed. Kiran's drinking increases, suggesting deeper problems she's avoiding. Noelle, usually sharp-tongued, is gentle with Reed, which seems odd. Arianna remains eerily composed, almost indifferent, which Reed finds disturbing given Arianna's close relationship with Thomas. These reactions, combined with the lack of answers about Thomas's death, make Reed suspect there's more to the story than what authorities or her friends are saying. She feels a growing unease within her own circle.
Thanksgiving Break and Unexpected Company
Thanksgiving break arrives, and most students leave Easton Academy. Reed and Josh, Thomas's best friend and Reed's longtime confidante, both stay on the deserted campus. This unexpected solitude brings them closer. The emotional intensity of their shared grief for Thomas begins to shift. They spend time comforting each other, and unspoken feelings they've had for each other, perhaps even before Thomas's death, surface. The empty campus provides a private setting for these emotions, leading to a passionate encounter.
The Hookup and the Confession
During Thanksgiving break, Reed and Josh's relationship moves from friendship and shared grief to physical and emotional intimacy. Their hookup is intense and unexpected, born from shared vulnerability and long-suppressed feelings. Reed feels exhilaration and guilt. She decides to be honest with her friends, the Billings Girls, about her new relationship with Josh. She believes they deserve to know as a close group. She expects a typical 'tell-all' session, maybe some teasing, but not the reaction she gets. This decision is a turning point, as her private life collides with the ongoing mystery.
Josh Becomes Suspect Number One
When Reed tells the Billings Girls about her relationship with Josh, she is met not with understanding but with a chilling accusation. Instead of being happy or surprised, the girls react with suspicion and hostility. Suddenly, Josh, Thomas's best friend and Reed's new boyfriend, is blamed for Thomas Pearson's murder. The girls suggest Josh, perhaps out of jealousy, killed Thomas to be with Reed. This shift shatters Reed's trust in her friends and puts her in a desperate situation. She must defend Josh against their accusations and the growing campus consensus.
The Crumbling Perfect Life
The accusation against Josh, led by the Billings Girls, shakes Reed's life. Her carefully built image and her sense of belonging in the elite clique begin to fall apart. The 'perfect life' she had as a Billings Girl, with privilege, popularity, and loyalty among friends, is now threatened by internal conflict and external suspicion. Reed finds herself isolated from the people she considered her closest allies, as they turn against Josh and, by extension, against her for defending him. This isolation forces Reed to re-evaluate her friendships and her world, realizing the fragile foundation of her 'untouchable' status.
Reed's Private Suspicions Deepen
While Reed strongly defends Josh, a seed of doubt grows in her mind, not about Josh, but about her friends. The more convinced everyone becomes of Josh's guilt, the more Reed's private suspicions point elsewhere. She re-examines her friends' strange behaviors after Thomas's death – Taylor's withdrawal, Kiran's drinking, Noelle's unusual kindness, and Arianna's coldness. She connects these observations with their strong accusations against Josh, wondering if their eagerness to blame him is a distraction. Reed realizes she's uncovering something she doesn't want to believe, something that implicates her own inner circle.
Uncovering Secrets and Lies
Driven by her suspicions, Reed investigates Thomas's life and the Billings Girls' dynamics more closely. She uncovers a hidden world of cheating, partying, and blackmail. It becomes clear Thomas was involved in something illicit, and members of the Billings Girls, or their associates, might have been involved or victimized. Reed pieces together information, discovering that Thomas had been blackmailing at least one of the girls, using their secrets against them. This revelation provides a strong motive for murder, shifting the focus from Josh to those within Reed's trusted circle. The 'untouchable' facade of the Billings Girls crumbles further.
Confrontation and Betrayal
With her new understanding of the blackmail scheme, Reed confronts the Billings Girls. The confrontation is tense, as years of friendship and shared secrets are tested. One by one, the girls' alibis and innocent appearances begin to crack. The truth about who Thomas was blackmailing, and why, comes out, revealing deep resentments, fears, and betrayals within the group. Reed faces the harsh reality that her closest friends were not only hiding information but might also be directly involved in Thomas's death, or at least in covering it up. The 'untouchable' bond of the Billings Girls is broken.
The Truth Revealed
Through her investigation and confrontation, Reed finally uncovers the truth behind Thomas Pearson's murder. The killer is one of the Billings Girls, desperate to stop Thomas from exposing their secrets through blackmail. The motive is clear, and the method of death is understood. This revelation devastates Reed. It forces her to confront the dark side of her seemingly perfect world and the true nature of her friendships. The 'untouchable' image of the Billings Girls is completely shattered. Reed is left to deal with the betrayal and the loss of her innocence, forever changed by the tragic events and the shocking truth.
Principal Figures
Reed
Protagonist
Grieving girlfriend turned amateur detective.
Reed is initially portrayed as a popular, seemingly well-adjusted member of the elite Billings Girls clique, deeply in love with her boyfriend, Thomas. Her world is shattered by his death, plunging her into grief and confusion. She is observant and possesses a strong sense of loyalty, especially towards Josh. As the mystery unfolds, she demonstrates increasing resilience, intelligence, and a determination to uncover the truth, even when it means questioning her closest friends and risking her own social standing. She is driven by a need for justice and a desire to understand what truly happened.
Relationships: Thomas Pearson (Boyfriend (deceased)); Josh (Best friend, love interest); Billings Girls (Close friends (Taylor, Kiran, Noelle, Arianna))
Thomas Pearson
Victim/Antagonist (posthumous)
The popular, charismatic boy whose death unravels the academy's secrets.
Thomas is initially described as Reed's popular, easygoing, and charismatic boyfriend, whose death sets the entire plot in motion. Posthumously, his character is revealed to be far more complex and morally ambiguous. He was charming and well-liked on the surface, but underneath, he engaged in blackmail, using the secrets of his peers, particularly the Billings Girls, for his own gain. His actions, even in death, continue to influence and manipulate those around him, as the investigation into his murder slowly exposes his manipulative nature and the widespread impact of his schemes.
Relationships: Reed (Girlfriend); Josh (Best friend); Billings Girls (Associates, victims of blackmail)
Josh
Supporting/Love Interest
Thomas's best friend and Reed's confidante, who becomes a prime suspect.
Josh is Thomas's best friend and a long-standing friend and confidante to Reed. He is initially a source of comfort for Reed in her grief. He is portrayed as sensitive, caring, and deeply affected by Thomas's death. His quiet strength and loyalty make him an appealing figure. His relationship with Reed evolves during Thanksgiving break, leading to a romantic connection. This new relationship, however, tragically places him under suspicion for Thomas's murder, forcing Reed to defend him and question the motives of others. He represents an outsider perspective within the Billings Girls' drama.
Relationships: Thomas Pearson (Best friend (deceased)); Reed (Close friend, love interest)
Taylor
Supporting
One of the Billings Girls, whose fragile state hints at hidden trauma.
Taylor is a member of the Billings Girls, characterized by her increasing fragility and dependence on medication after Thomas's death. Her withdrawal and emotional instability suggest a deeper struggle and perhaps a direct connection to the underlying secrets of the group. Her behavior is erratic, making her both a source of concern for Reed and a potential suspect, as her reactions are more extreme than the others. She embodies the emotional toll of the secrets the girls are keeping, hinting at a vulnerability that sets her apart from the other 'untouchable' members.
Relationships: Reed (Friend); Billings Girls (Close friends (Kiran, Noelle, Arianna)); Thomas Pearson (Acquaintance, potential victim of blackmail)
Kiran
Supporting
The rebellious Billings Girl who turns to alcohol to cope.
Kiran is another member of the Billings Girls, known for her rebellious streak and her increasing reliance on alcohol after Thomas's death. Her drinking is a clear coping mechanism, suggesting that she is deeply affected by the events and perhaps harbors guilt or fear. Her defiance and attempts to numb her pain make her a volatile and unpredictable character. While she tries to maintain an air of indifference, her actions betray a profound internal struggle, making her a key figure in understanding the group's collective secret and the individual ways they are unraveling.
Relationships: Reed (Friend); Billings Girls (Close friends (Taylor, Noelle, Arianna)); Thomas Pearson (Acquaintance, potential victim of blackmail)
Noelle
Supporting
The surprisingly kind Billings Girl whose actions are out of character.
Noelle is a member of the Billings Girls, typically known for her sharp wit or perhaps a more detached demeanor. However, after Thomas's death, she exhibits an uncharacteristic kindness towards Reed, which strikes Reed as odd. This change in behavior makes her an intriguing and suspicious character; her sudden empathy could be genuine, or it could be a calculated attempt to deflect suspicion or manage Reed's reactions. Her departure from her usual personality suggests she is deeply impacted by the events and might be hiding significant information, making her an unpredictable element in the group.
Relationships: Reed (Friend); Billings Girls (Close friends (Taylor, Kiran, Arianna)); Thomas Pearson (Acquaintance, potential victim of blackmail)
Arianna
Supporting/Antagonist
The detached Billings Girl who remains eerily composed after Thomas's death.
Arianna is a member of the Billings Girls who maintains an unsettlingly calm and detached demeanor after Thomas's death, even though she was closely connected to him. Her composure, almost indifference, makes her particularly suspicious to Reed, who finds her lack of emotional reaction disturbing. Arianna embodies the 'untouchable' facade of the group most strongly, projecting an image of control and perfection. Her cool exterior likely hides deep secrets and a strong motivation to protect her image and position, making her a formidable and potentially dangerous character as Reed closes in on the truth.
Relationships: Reed (Friend); Billings Girls (Close friends (Taylor, Kiran, Noelle)); Thomas Pearson (Close acquaintance, significant involvement in blackmail)
Themes & Insights
The Illusion of Perfection
The novel explores how the seemingly perfect lives of the Billings Girls, with privilege, popularity, and an 'untouchable' status, are an illusion. Beneath the surface are secrets, blackmail, and moral compromises. Thomas's death shatters this facade, forcing the characters, especially Reed, to confront the truth about their friends and their constructed realities. The theme highlights the dangers of maintaining a flawless image and the destructive results when it cracks.
“The perfect life Reed has constructed as a Billings Girl begins to crumble.”
Betrayal and Trust
A central theme is the deep betrayal Reed experiences, first from Thomas's manipulative nature, and then, more devastatingly, from her closest friends. The Billings Girls, once a symbol of loyalty, turn against Josh and, implicitly, against Reed. This makes Reed question her friendships and the nature of trust within her elite social circle. The novel explores how betrayal can come from unexpected sources and the difficult choices one makes when loyalty is tested against the truth.
“Instead, Josh begins to look like suspect No. 1 in the murder of Thomas Pearson.”
The Corrupting Influence of Secrets
The narrative shows how secrets, especially those involving cheating, partying, and blackmail, corrupt individuals and relationships. The Billings Girls' attempts to hide their secrets lead to paranoia, suspicion, and ultimately, murder. The burden of these secrets appears in various ways – Taylor's medication, Kiran's drinking, Noelle's odd behavior, and Arianna's coldness. The novel suggests that while secrets might offer temporary protection, they ultimately destroy, leading to a greater downfall than exposure might have caused.
“Cheating, partying, blackmail, and now...murder? Can the Billings Girls remain untouchable?”
Justice vs. Loyalty
Reed faces a difficult choice between loyalty to her friends and seeking justice for Thomas and Josh. Initially, her loyalty to the Billings Girls is most important. But as she uncovers the truth, she must choose between protecting her friends and exposing the person responsible for Thomas's death. This theme explores the difficult choices people make when personal relationships conflict with moral duties, highlighting the courage needed to prioritize truth and justice, even if it means sacrificing cherished bonds and shattering one's world.
“Reed's private suspicions lead her somewhere she doesn't want to go.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Red Herring
Misdirection to obscure the true culprit.
The novel heavily employs the red herring device, most notably by making Josh the primary suspect in Thomas's murder. After Reed reveals her relationship with Josh, the Billings Girls quickly turn on him, constructing a plausible motive (jealousy over Reed). This accusation effectively diverts attention from the true killer and the deeper secrets within the Billings Girls, leading Reed and the reader down a path of false assumption. This device builds suspense and allows the true culprit to remain hidden until the climax, intensifying the shock of the final reveal.
Unreliable Narrator (Subtle)
Reed's perception is clouded by grief and naiveté.
While Reed is the primary perspective, her narration is subtly unreliable, particularly in her initial assessment of her friends and the nature of her perfect life. Her grief for Thomas and her deep-seated trust in the Billings Girls initially prevent her from seeing the darker truths. Her perception of her friends' reactions (Taylor's fragility, Kiran's drinking, Noelle's kindness, Arianna's detachment) is colored by her emotional state and existing biases. This unreliability makes her eventual discoveries more impactful, as the reader experiences the shattering of her illusions alongside her, contributing to the novel's suspense and thematic exploration of illusion versus reality.
Blackmail
The central motive and catalyst for conflict.
Blackmail serves as the pivotal plot device that drives the entire mystery. Thomas Pearson's posthumously revealed role as a blackmailer, exploiting the secrets of the Billings Girls, provides the strongest motive for his murder. This device creates a tangled web of fear, resentment, and desperation among the characters, explaining their suspicious behaviors and their eagerness to deflect blame. It is the underlying mechanism that unravels the 'untouchable' facade of the Billings Girls, forcing their hidden transgressions into the open and ultimately leading to the identification of the killer.
Isolated Setting
The deserted campus heightens intimacy and tension.
The use of the deserted Easton Academy campus during Thanksgiving break serves as a crucial isolated setting. This isolation allows Reed and Josh to forge an intense, unexpected romantic connection without the scrutiny of their peers, making their subsequent public revelation even more impactful. More broadly, the seemingly idyllic and insular world of Easton Academy itself, where the Billings Girls operate, contributes to the sense of secrets being contained and protected, intensifying the shock when those secrets are violently exposed. The isolation amplifies both the romance and the suspense.
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What is the title of the book?
- Untouchable
- Easton Academy
- The Billings Girls
- The Death of Thomas Pearson
Show answer
A. Untouchable The title of the book is explicitly stated as 'Untouchable' at the beginning of the summary.
Question 2
Who is the main protagonist of the story?
- Thomas Pearson
- Josh
- Reed
- Taylor
Show answer
C. Reed The summary states, 'Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson...is dead,' and focuses on Reed's perspective and experiences.
Question 3
What genre does the book fall into?
- Science Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult, Romance
- Fantasy
Show answer
C. Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult, Romance The genres are listed at the beginning of the summary: Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult, Romance.
Question 4
What happened to Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson?
- He disappeared without a trace.
- He was arrested for blackmail.
- He died.
- He moved away to another school.
Show answer
C. He died. The summary clearly states, 'Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson...is dead.'
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a theme or element in the book?
- Cheating
- Partying
- Blackmail
- Supernatural powers
Show answer
D. Supernatural powers The summary lists cheating, partying, blackmail, and murder as themes. Supernatural powers are not mentioned.
Question 6
What is the name of the academy where the story takes place?
- Easton Academy
- Billings Academy
- Pearson Academy
- Reed Academy
Show answer
A. Easton Academy The summary mentions 'Life at Easton Academy begins to feel very different.'
Question 7
How does Reed's relationship with Josh develop during Thanksgiving break?
- They become bitter enemies.
- They confess hidden feelings and have a romantic encounter.
- They decide to work together to solve the murder.
- Josh leaves campus, and they don't see each other.
Show answer
B. They confess hidden feelings and have a romantic encounter. The summary states, 'Reed and Josh find themselves alone on campus. They are forced to confront the feelings they've been hiding. Those feelings combined with an empty campus result in the hottest hookup Reed could possibly imagine.'
Question 8
Why does Josh begin to look like suspect No. 1 in Thomas Pearson's murder?
- He confessed to the murder.
- He was seen arguing with Thomas shortly before his death.
- Reed breaks the news about her hookup with Josh to the Billings Girls, and he becomes a suspect.
- A witness identified him as the killer.
Show answer
C. Reed breaks the news about her hookup with Josh to the Billings Girls, and he becomes a suspect. The text says, 'But when Reed breaks the news about Josh to the Billings Girls, there's no fun game of tell-all. Instead, Josh begins to look like suspect No. 1 in the murder of Thomas Pearson.'
Question 9
Which of Reed's friends is described as acting 'like the poster child for Prozac'?
- Kiran
- Noelle
- Arianna
- Taylor
Show answer
D. Taylor The summary states, 'Taylor is acting like the poster child for Prozac.'
Question 10
What does Reed's private investigation lead her to suspect?
- That Thomas Pearson faked his own death.
- That Josh is innocent and someone else is the killer.
- That someone she knows and trusts is guilty.
- That the entire murder was an accident.
Show answer
C. That someone she knows and trusts is guilty. The summary concludes, 'And as everyone becomes more convinced of Josh's guilt, Reed's private suspicions lead her somewhere she doesn't want to go,' implying her suspicions are turning towards someone close, a direction she is reluctant to explore.
Untouchable FAQ
What is the book "Untouchable" by Kate Brian about?
"Untouchable" is a young adult thriller and mystery novel centered around the death of Thomas Pearson, the boyfriend of protagonist Reed. As Reed and her friends at Easton Academy grapple with the murder, secrets, lies, and potential blackmail come to light, questioning if anyone is truly innocent.
Who is the main character in "Untouchable"?
The main character is Reed, a student at Easton Academy and one of the 'Billings Girls.' She is dealing with the death of her boyfriend, Thomas, and the unraveling of her seemingly perfect life.
What are the main themes explored in "Untouchable"?
The book explores themes of betrayal, deception, peer pressure, the dark side of privilege, and the complexities of teenage relationships. It delves into how appearances can be deceiving and the consequences of secrets.
Is there romance in "Untouchable"?
Yes, romance plays a significant role. Reed has a complicated relationship with her deceased boyfriend, Thomas, and develops hidden feelings for Josh, which later complicates the murder investigation.
What kind of secrets are revealed in the book?
The book reveals secrets involving cheating, partying, and blackmail among the students at Easton Academy. As the murder mystery unfolds, more hidden truths about the characters' lives and their involvement with Thomas come out.
What is the significance of the 'Billings Girls' in the story?
The 'Billings Girls' are a group of elite students at Easton Academy, and Reed is one of them. Their privileged lives and the desire to remain 'untouchable' are central to the narrative, as their secrets and actions are scrutinized following the murder.
Who is suspected of murdering Thomas Pearson?
As the investigation progresses, Josh, with whom Reed shares a secret romance, becomes a prime suspect in the murder of Thomas Pearson. However, the book keeps the reader guessing about other potential culprits.
Does "Untouchable" have a satisfying ending?
The book aims to provide a suspenseful and surprising resolution to the murder mystery, tying up loose ends while maintaining the thriller aspect. Readers often find the ending to be a fitting conclusion to the unraveling secrets.
Is "Untouchable" suitable for younger readers?
As a young adult novel, it deals with mature themes such as murder, cheating, and blackmail. Parents may want to consider these themes when deciding if the book is appropriate for their individual young readers.
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