Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death, mental illness, and disordered eating.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did your perception of each main character (Cecilia, Tess, and Rachel) shift throughout the novel? Which character’s journey resonated with you most strongly, and why?

2. The novel deals with complex moral decisions that don’t have clear right or wrong answers. How did you feel about the choices the characters ultimately made? Have you read other works that explore similar moral complexities—e.g., Moriarty’s Big Little Lies?

3. How effective was the author’s use of multiple perspectives in telling this story? What did this narrative technique reveal about the interconnected nature of the characters’ lives? Have you encountered other mysteries or thrillers that employ a similar structure—e.g., Angie Kim’s Miracle Creek?

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

1. The novel explores how well we truly know the people closest to us. Have you ever discovered something surprising about someone you thought you knew completely? How did it affect your relationship?