1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Were you surprised by the revelation in the final chapters that Ethan was responsible for his mother’s death and that Tricia killed Adrienne? Did the discovery cause you to reevaluate your prior experience of the novel?
• How does this novel compare to other Freida McFadden novels you’ve read, such as The Inmate or The Housemaid? Was this mystery more or less surprising? If this was your first time reading McFadden, what other writers would you compare her to, and why?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• The novel contains graphic depictions of self-harm and emotional abuse. Did you find these scenes difficult to read? Did they ring true for you?
• Nearly all of the characters in this novel are violent and manipulative. Did you find any of the characters compelling or sympathetic? If so, why? 
• The horror of the novel is partially drawn from the claustrophobia that comes of being confined in a strange place. Have you ever had to quarantine or spend an extended period of time in a home that was not your own? How did you react?
• Tricia believes that two people can only keep a secret if one of them is dead—in other words, that sharing a secret is not truly possible.