Content Warning: This section of the guide contains references to physical abuse.

The novel opens on a warm summer night in Martha’s Vineyard, where a small group of people are boarding a private plane for New York City. In addition to three crew members—a pilot, co-pilot, and flight attendant—the passengers include the four members of the Bateman family, a member of their private security team, Ben and Sarah Kipling, and Scott Burroughs. The Batemans arrive first: David, the imposing head of a cable news network; Maggie, a former preschool teacher turned stay-at-home mom; the clever nine-year-old Rachel; and four-year-old JJ. They are accompanied by Gil, a security guard, who is part of a team the Batemans hired after Rachel was kidnapped. Maggie still wonders what effect that event has had on her daughter. The Kiplings, friends of the Batemans, arrive next and settle in with drinks and small talk. Just before the plane is scheduled to depart, the final passenger arrives. Scott Burroughs, an artist, is a friend of Maggie’s and is far less at ease in his surroundings than the others. He refuses a glass of wine offered by Emma, the flight attendant. Maggie looks lovingly at her children as the plane takes off.