Why didn't Noa talk?

[Ruty]

I loved this book but am left with questions. So, I'm presuming Noa refused to make any efforts to defend herself because she believed the murder of her childhood friend was due cause for execution. But why was she so reticent to take anyone down with her? Why didn't she let anyone know about Marlene's manipulations or Caleb's culpability (he gave Sarah the abortion pill, among other things?

[Anita]

I think for the same reason you felt. The guilt she lived with for so many years precluded her from "using" anything to reduce her sentence.

[Ilona]

I think Noa had nothing to live for: no family that cared for her, no friends, no significant other... She did not have normal childhood and was very lonely. Her father betrayed her. She did not enjoy life....Ollie gave her hope and new interest but Marlene took it away ruthlessly.

[Anita]

Ilona, she did not have much, did she? But how sad that someone would not be able to find something to live for.

[Shirley]

I think Noa knew that Marlene would not be held accountable and that her father would go back to prison if she told what happened. She would not be believed because she had claimed it was an intruder during the 911 call. She also felt completely alone, betrayed and guilty about the death of P.