Prologue and Chapter 1 Analysis

How many days had it been since the last rainfall in Charlotte?

How many days had the main character's father been gone?

The protagonist's father had been buried after his death.

What kind of vehicle was found submerged in Mirror Lake?

What had been the lowest point in the water level of Mirror Lake in decades?

The car pulled from the lake was brand new and accident-free.

What was the prevailing opinion regarding the car's time in the lake?

The dive crew that inspected the car found evidence of a crash.

Was the car discovered in the lake the first thing to attract attention after the drought started?

What is the last word used to describe the car's discovery?

Which of the following elements is NOT required for a true crime podcast?

Personal commentary is optional in a true crime podcast.

What should be analyzed regarding the characters involved in the true crime case?

The podcast must discuss the key ______ points of each case.

Match the following podcast elements to their descriptions:

Prologue

Drought started in the West, causing water levels to drop dramatically in reservoirs and lakes.
This led to the exposure of secrets and historical remains, including skeletons in Lake Mead and potential toxic dust in the Great Salt Lake.
The protagonist's family lives in an East Coast enclave with ample freshwater resources, feeling relatively safe from the drought's impact.
The drought slowly reached their area, indicated by the appearance of rotten dock wood, boats drifting, and other submerged items.
The protagonist's father, a detective, was known for a calm, non-adrenaline-fueled approach to his work in contrast to the protagonist's youth.
The first sign of the drought's impact in their area was not a body, but something quieter, and dangerous.

Chapter 1

The car recovered from Mirror Lake was raised on the day of the protagonist's father's memorial.
Time perception altered for the protagonist since their father's death, now measured in "days without him."
The town was divided in terms of honoring the father, with a celebration versus a salvage company.
The protagonist viewed the car as a sign of a shift in the world, something more substantial than immediate danger.
The father’s death was commemorated with a cremation, celebrations, food and drinks taken care of by the department.
The low water levels in Mirror Lake, a decades low, caused public attention.
A car was found that had no visible signs of a crash; rumors suggested it had been submerged for years.
A dive team inspected the car but found no evidence inside.
The situation felt like a foreshadowing, or a sign of more changes to come.

Explore the themes and events from the Prologue and Chapter 1 of this gripping narrative. Delve into the consequences of drought, family dynamics, and the impacts of loss on perception and reality. Uncover hidden secrets and historical remnants as the protagonist navigates a changing environment.