Ian asked this question about The Strangers:
I'm wondering the paternity of Elsie's three children. We know that "Shawn" is the father of Cedar-Sage, the middle child. Was the father of Phoenix, the eldest, ever specified? Similarly, I assumed "Jimmy" was the father of the youngest child Sparrow but I'm not sure about this. There was also an dark allusion to something terrible done by "Sparrow's father". Can anyone help here?
Jasmine No, Phoenix's father was never specified, although it's not relevant. But have you read her first novel, The Break? While The Break and The Strangers …moreNo, Phoenix's father was never specified, although it's not relevant. But have you read her first novel, The Break? While The Break and The Strangers are stand alone novels and it doesn't matter what order you read them in, some characters from The Strangers play a big role in The Break, while others are mentioned. For example, Elsie is mentioned in The Break, including an incident that occurred when she was a teenager. I suspect that may be the origin of Phoenix's conception, and explain her descent into drug use.

As far as what Sparrow's father did to Phoenix, I took that to mean sexual abuse. Which helps us understand why Phoenix is the way she is, and did what she did (read The Break to find out what she did).

I have a feeling that Vermette will write another novel, and we will learn more about the characters.(less)
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by Katherena Vermette (Goodreads Author)
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