How does Beth’s friendship encourage Jack to change his way of thinking about his parents? How does Jack’s friendship with Beth change the way Jack thinks about himself?

This book is often categorized as a mystery. How does the author employ suspense devices, including but not limited to, clues, story structure, or red herrings, to keep the reader guessing?

How would the novel be different if it were written from Beth’s perspective? What would the story gain? What would the story lose?