The Messenger

What event begins Ed Kennedy’s transformation?

He stops a bank robbery and receives a mysterious ace of diamonds with three addresses.

What happens at 45 Edgar Street?

Ed witnesses domestic abuse and eventually confronts the rapist to make him stop.

Who is Milla Johnson and what does Ed do for her?

A lonely elderly woman who thinks Ed is her dead husband, Jimmy. Ed comforts her through visits.

What is Ed’s message for Sophie at 6 Macedoni Street?

To embrace her passion and talent for running without fear—he gives her new shoes but she runs barefoot.

What does the mirror (reflections) symbolize throughout the book?

Ed’s self-image and transformation from “a dead man” to someone with purpose and identity.

How does the playing card motif structure the novel?

Each ace represents a new set of missions, culminating in the joker which challenges Ed himself.

What is the meaning of “Say a prayer at the stones of home”?

It leads Ed to a childhood fishing spot where he finds three names carved in stone.

What is Ed’s mission for Father Thomas O’Reilly?

Help him revive his dying church by organizing a community event.

Who is Angie Carusso and what does Ed do for her?

A single mother. Ed gives her a double ice cream cone to acknowledge her sacrifices.

How does Ed help Gavin Rose?

He beats Gavin to provoke a brotherly response from Daniel, beginning their healing.

How does Ed find the spade addresses?

By matching author names (Greene, West, Plath) to street names and using marked book pages as house numbers.

What does Ed do for the Tatupu family?

Replaces their Christmas lights anonymously to brighten their spirits.

What message does Ed receive through the Bell Street Theater mission?

A reel shows his own life—his suffering, efforts, and growth—and he’s told, “Well done, Ed. Time to move on.”

Who are the messages in the hearts suit aimed at?

Ed’s close friends: Ritchie, Marv, and Audrey.

What truth does Ed reveal about Ritchie?

Ritchie lives passively and must find a purpose to truly live.

What is Marv’s secret?

He has a daughter he’s never met, and Ed helps him reunite with her.

How does Ed communicate love to Audrey?

He dances with her in the park to show how deeply he feels, despite her emotional defenses.

What is the final message Ed receives on the Joker card?

His own address—forcing him to reflect on himself.

Who delivers the final clue about who is behind the messages?

A young man (the author figure) who claims he created everything in Ed’s world.

What does Ed ultimately realize about his role?

He is not the messenger, he is the message—the embodiment of change, love, and humanity.

What is written on the Ace of Hearts?

Movie titles: The Suitcase, Cat Ballou, and Roman Holiday

What is Ed’s mission on Clown Street?

His own Ma, who he figures out that she was having an affair while his dad was alive and that she hates Ed because he reminds her of his dad, being stuck in the town (broken promises).

What is the Annual Sledge Game?

A barefoot rugby game that Marv is obsessed with and where Ed gets the Ace of Spades after beating a tough opponent with guilt