The Perfect Son

Content Warning: The source text includes references to physical assault, psychological manipulation, child abuse, and animal abuse. Additionally, the source material uses offensive terms for mental health conditions throughout, which are replicated in this guide only in direct quotes of the source material.

The theme of The Threat of Inheritance and Genetics plays a major role in The Perfect Son. It is important to note, however, that this theme relies heavily on harmful stereotypes about people with mental health conditions. While many psychological thrillers use the trope of violent criminals with mental health conditions, researchers have established that this stereotype is inaccurate. In reality, people with psychiatric conditions are much likelier to experience violent crimes than to commit them. Early in the novel, Erika is mystified by Liam’s disturbing and violent tendencies, especially since she thinks he grew up in a typical home. However, she eventually learns that Liam is related to two murderers: her father, Melvin, and husband, Jason. While Erika is concerned that she inherited a tendency toward violence from her father and potentially passed it to her son, she does not suspect Jason’s insidious influence over his son. The Perfect Son explores the influence of both nature (genetics) and nurture (taught and modeled behavior) over Liam’s violent tendencies.