The novel delves into the intricate web of secrets that bind and suffocate the Starkey family. Amanda's guarded past and the mystery surrounding Mathilda's death cast a long shadow over Ruth's upbringing. As Ruth pieces together fragments of the past, the reader witnesses the destructive force of concealed truths, how they fester and poison relationships across generations.

"Drowning Ruth" explores the subjective nature of truth and the unreliability of memory. Told from the alternating perspectives of Amanda and Ruth, the narrative highlights how personal biases and the passage of time can distort the past. The reader is left to grapple with conflicting accounts and ambiguous events, questioning the veracity of each woman's memories.

Despite the pervasive atmosphere of secrecy and suspicion, the novel ultimately celebrates the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Ruth's unwavering determination to uncover the truth about her mother's death represents a yearning for closure and a refusal to be defined by the secrets of the past. "Drowning Ruth" suggests that confronting painful truths, however difficult, is essential for healing and growth.