Every Last Secret

Every Last Secret serves as a cautionary tale against the obsession with wealth and status. Both Neena and Cat are obsessed with maintaining (Cat) and securing (Neena) their places in their affluent social circle. Since both women come from poorer backgrounds, they see William—rich, successful, established—as their ticket to the lives they want. While Cat already has the man and the lifestyle, Neena aspires to it. At its core, their power struggle is less about the man and more about what he offers: the possessions, privilege, and status that come with money, as represented by superficial trappings such as a beautiful home.

Each woman’s obsession with wealth and status is made clear from the start. In the book’s prologue, Neena is obsessed with her own appearance; she’s being interrogated for attempted murder and fixates on appearing young and wealthy: “My hair, freshly cut and dyed. My skin, glowing and Botox smooth, despite the horrific lighting in this place. My body, trim and thin underneath the designer workout gear. My wedding ring, still in place, the large diamond glittering from my hand like a spotlight” (2). Cat likewise notes the importance of a picture-perfect appearance while acknowledging the effort it requires: “That was the secret to success in this town.