In The Lovely Bones, even the tiniest actions or incidents can lead to significant outcomes. For example, early in the narrative, neighbors identify body parts by recognizing a specific book found with them. Lindsey uncovers her mother's affair after spotting a scarf at the police station. Likewise, Mr. Harvey carefully manages the details of his life to project an image of normalcy. He uses a time clock to ensure he meets all his "targets." It's the seemingly trivial detail of his dollhouse-making that reignites the investigation later in the story, and ultimately, it is not a major police operation but the accidental fall of an icicle that leads to Mr. Harvey's downfall.

However, it is in the emotional sphere where these individual events have the most profound impact in The Lovely Bones. Susie's death amplifies her family's suffering, helping readers grasp the significance of even the smallest life choices. Susie's choice of a shoe in Monopoly, the photos she takes of her family, the songs she dances to with her grandfather, and the grave rubbings her parents complete—all these moments are shown to hold tremendous importance, resonating deeply even after death.