The plot of What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline thrusts readers into the terrifying unraveling of a seemingly perfect family's life after a brutal, unforeseen crime. It explores themes of identity, trust, and the secrets that can lie hidden beneath the surface of even the closest relationships.
The Inciting Incident and Its Immediate Aftermath
The story begins with a sudden and devastating event: the Bennetts, a seemingly ordinary and happy suburban family, are victims of a violent crime. The carjacking of Jason Bennett (known to some as "St. Jason"), his wife Lucinda, and their children, Allison and Ethan, quickly takes a horrific turn, forever changing the family's lives. This traumatic incident is not just a robbery; it results in a profound loss, shaking the family to its core and shattering their sense of security.
As a direct consequence of this tragedy, the FBI becomes deeply involved. For their safety and to protect the investigation, the surviving members of the Bennett family—Jason, Lucinda, and Allison—are forced to go into the witness protection program. This drastic measure means abandoning their entire past, their identities, and every comfort they once knew for a life of anonymity.
Here are the key initial events that set the stage:
- Violent Carjacking: The family's ordinary outing turns into a nightmare when they are carjacked.
- Tragic Loss: The incident results in the death of their son, Ethan, and injury to their daughter, Allison.
- FBI Intervention: Federal agents step in due to the severity of the crime.
- Witness Protection Program: To ensure their safety, Jason, Lucinda, and Allison are forced to assume new identities and relocate, severing all ties to their former lives.
Life in Witness Protection and Unraveling Secrets
Once in witness protection, the struggle for survival transcends mere physical safety. Jason Bennett, a former federal prosecutor, finds himself stripped of his control and purpose. He grapples intensely with his new identity and the suffocating anonymity, feeling powerless and increasingly suspicious about the true nature of the carjacking. He refuses to believe it was a random act of violence.
Driven by grief and a desperate need for answers, Jason begins his own covert investigation, digging into the past despite the extreme risks posed by his new life in witness protection. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew about the incident, his family, and even his wife, Lucinda. The narrative explores the psychological toll of their new reality and the dangerous path Jason takes to uncover a truth that might be more horrifying than the initial crime.
Themes and Unveiling the Truth
What Happened to the Bennetts delves into profound themes of:
- Identity: What happens when your entire past is erased and you must become someone new?
- Truth vs. Deception: The constant search for what truly happened, and the shocking discoveries made along the way.
- Family Secrets: The hidden histories and vulnerabilities that can surface under extreme pressure.
- Justice and Vengeance: The lengths one might go to find answers and retribution.
The story builds suspense as Jason unearths startling revelations, leading to a climax where the full, shocking truth about the carjacking and the Bennetts' past is finally unveiled, leaving readers stunned by the unexpected twists.
