Book Club Discussion Questions

Use the questions below as a starting point for your book club discussion! Be sure to take a picture of your group and tag @noelleihliauthor

    1. How do you feel about the way Sheena handled the situation? Was her response appropriate or do you feel she should’ve acted differently?

    2. Compare Ted and Andy. In the beginning they are on the same page, but by the end they aren’t. Did you feel empathy for either throughout the book?

    3. Memory is a major theme throughout the book. How does this show up through each character’s journey?  

    4. Think of a time you had to find strength in a difficult situation. What was your “Harriet the Spy” moment, and how did it help you navigate the situation? 

    5. Each character has a complicated family dynamic (like most of us!) How does family (either chosen or blood related) inform our decision making process? 

    6. Which character did you identify with most in the book? 

    7. What part of the book made you feel the strongest emotion, and what was that emotion?

    1. One of the central plot points centers around the scapegoating of different groups. How does this play out today?

    2. In the end, Vic showed remorse, but he ultimately played a part in the death of all the victims. Do you feel empathy for his position? Why or why not? 

    3. Did you find it believable that Nancy/Emily forgot such a traumatic event? Do you think it’s possible to truly heal from such an awful event?

    4. What is the significance of names throughout the novel?

    5. What does the story teach us about motherhood? How is it a central theme in the novel?

    6. How does Sally’s position as a Native American inform her choices?

    1. Miley is a high level olympic athlete. How did her focus on physical strength both help and hinder her ability to survive? 

    2. How did your empathy for Mary/Rayna change over the course of the book?

    3. Would you lean toward physical, mental, or emotional tactics to escape if you were kidnapped?

    4. How do you think Fred got to the point where he was able to do what he did? 

    5. How do Mary’s chickens inform her character?

    6. How do Wes and Brent’s motivations differ? How are they the same?

    1. At what point did you realize Curtis wasn’t who he said he was?

      • Did that knowledge increase or decrease the “thriller” aspect of the novel?

    2. If you were in Nya’s situation, what would you have done?

    3. How did Nya’s background set her up to stay at the house longer than she should have?

    4. Do you think Nya’s parents would’ve been as resistant to helping her as she thought they would be? Why or why not?

    5. What does Alebrije, the little wooden, relate to Nya’s overall character development?

    1. Which of the characters’ emotional arcs resonated with you the most, and why?

    2. Technology, particularly social media and dating apps, plays a part in the plot. How does this element reflect real-world concerns about safety and trust in digital spaces?

    3. How did this supernatural element of the novel impact your perception of justice in the story? Was it satisfying to see the victims regain some control, even in death?

    4. April is a divisive character in this novel. Did you feel more empathy or frustration with her storyline? 

    5. Without giving away spoilers, how did you feel about the way the killer was ultimately dealt with? Was it a satisfying conclusion to the story, or did you expect a different outcome?

    6. In the novel, deceased characters reconnect with loved ones through shared memories. What are some memories you would most want to revisit with your loved ones?

    1. This book plays with classic slasher tropes. How does Norah embody or subvert the typical “final girl” in horror stories?

    2. The book blurs the line between staged and real violence. Where else does this conflict show up in modern life?

    3. The story occasionally shifts into the killer’s perspective. How effective did you find this in terms of building tension? Would you have liked more insight into the killer’s motives?

    4. Throughout the book, characters are faced with decisions that test their morality, especially in the context of the killings. Were there any choices made by the characters that you strongly agreed or disagreed with? How would you have acted in their place?

    5. After the murder in the Thicket, the attraction becomes more popular, with people drawn to the “real horror.” What does this say about the role of media and sensationalism in today’s society? How do you think the book comments on the public's fascination with true crime?