Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of child abuse, graphic violence, substance use, addiction, mental illness, death, emotional abuse, and physical abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did your perception of Ashley's character evolve throughout the novel? Like Darby, were you initially drawn to trust him? How does this novel compare to other psychological thrillers that feature characters who are not what they seem, such as Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl?

2. The novel takes place over a single night, creating an intense, compressed timeline. How did this pacing affect your reading experience? How did the precise time stamps at the beginning of each chapter build tension?

3. Discuss your reaction to the level of violence in No Exit. Was the violence necessary to the story, or did it feel gratuitous? What purpose did it serve in developing the themes and characters?

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

1. Throughout the novel, Darby must rely upon limited information to decide whom to trust. Have you ever been in a situation in which you had to make quick judgments about strangers? What factors influenced your decisions?