Scritch Scratch develops a theme of uncovering the real story as a means to create, sustain, and resolve its mystery plotline, and the relationship of this plotline to the novel’s deeper message of emotional understanding. This theme includes Lindsay Currie’s patterning of historical truth with fiction, which foregrounds her characters’ interest in historical research, especially as they use this interest to solve the novel’s literal narrative mystery.

At the beginning of Scritch Scratch, Claire thinks she understands the way things work. She feels very confident in her assumption that ghosts are not real, no matter what her father says. She also feels certain that Emily’s interest in makeup marks her out as vain and unserious. In fact, Claire’s assumptions are based on her emotional responses. She refuses to believe in ghosts partly because she thinks of herself as a scientist and values rationality, but also because she secretly finds ghost stories terrifying. She judges Emily harshly not only because they have different interests, but because she feels that Emily is responsible for taking her best friend away from her.

Claire’s mother makes an astute observation about her husband’s work as a paranormal researcher.