Jar of Hearts

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, rape, and suicidal ideation.

Jar of Hearts opens on the trial of Calvin James, nicknamed the “Sweetbay Strangler.” The remains of his first victim, 16-year-old Angela Wong, have recently been found, 14 years after her disappearance. Georgina “Geo” Shaw testifies that Calvin, her boyfriend at the time, murdered Angela, her best friend. Geo knows that after her testimony, she’ll serve five years in prison for her role in covering up the murder. She also knows that her engagement to the wealthy Andrew Shipp will be over and that her rise to the executive ranks at Shipp Pharmaceuticals won’t mean much on her resume when she’s a convicted felon. Geo also testifies about Calvin’s abusive, controlling nature. As she leaves the courtroom, Calvin slips a note to her: the words “you’re welcome” inside a hand-drawn heart (10). Back in her cell, Geo swallows the scrap of paper.

Detective Kaiser Brody, Geo’s other best friend prior to Angela’s disappearance, visits her in her cell and asks what Calvin gave her. Geo insists that he didn’t give her anything. Kaiser tells Geo that he hated her when he first learned what she did but that he doesn’t anymore.