Through Dark Mill South's vengeful rampage, the novel masterfully explores how America's dark colonial past continues to haunt its present. The killer's mission serves as a bloody metaphor for unresolved historical trauma and the devastating ripple effects of systemic violence against Indigenous peoples.

Jade's return to Proofrock represents more than just physical freedom - it's a complex journey of redemption that mirrors her community's own struggle for survival. The narrative explores how both individuals and towns must confront their dark histories to find salvation, even as new violence threatens to consume them.

The story delves deep into human resilience in the face of both supernatural and natural threats. The blizzard-trapped town becomes a pressure cooker where characters must navigate not only a determined killer but also their own fears, prejudices, and past traumas to survive.