How does Jodi Picoult use imagery in The Tenth Circle?

The imagery surrounds the setting of thre story. The story is set in Bethel, Maine and in a region of Alaska near Tuluksak. Both are real places and this authenticity lends credibility to the story. The settings are described in adequate detail but the descriptions of the places are not vital to the story and the lack of detail about the settings does not detract from the story.