Book Club Questions for Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

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Book club questions for Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand takes an in-depth look at the last novel in the author’s bestselling Nantucket series. There will be spoilers so for more context about the story, check out my spoiler-free review first.

And with the publication of Swan Song, Elin Hilderbrand says goodbye to Nantucket—at least in the fiction world. Such an impressive and remarkable career. I think many readers will miss seeing new books in the series. But hey, that’s what rereading is for!

Let me know your thoughts about the book in the comments section below!

The Synopsis

Chief of Police Ed Kapenash is about to retire. Blond Sharon is going through a divorce. But when a 22-million-dollar summer home is purchased by the mysterious Richardsons—how did they make their money, exactly?—Ed, Sharon, and everyone in the community are swept up in high drama. The Richardsons throw lavish parties, flirt with multiple locals, flaunt their wealth with not one but two yachts, and raise impossible hopes of everyone they meet. When their house burns to the ground and their most essential employee goes missing, the entire island is up in arms.

The last of Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling Nantucket novels, Swan Song is a propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most beloved characters, including, most importantly, the beautiful and timeless island of Nantucket itself.

Book Club Questions for Swan Song

1. Why was Swan Song the right title for her last novel set in Nantucket?
2. Do you have a favorite novel of hers? Where does this novel stack up to some of her other ones?
3. Why do you think she decided to focus on the returning characters of Chief of Police Ed, Blond Sharon and Fast Eddie? Do you wish she would have included other beloved characters as well?
4. What were your overall thoughts on the Richardsons’ storyline? Did you like that a new couple was thrown in the mix or would you have preferred to have keep reading about well-known characters in her series?
5. Why was the town so smitten with this new couple? Did you enjoy reading about all their extravagant parties?
6. Oftentimes the narrative follows Coco’s perspective. What were your thoughts on Coco as a whole and her dreams of being a screenwriter?
7. What did you make of the dynamic between Leslee and Coco?
8. Regarding Blond Sharon, did you like her romance with Romeo? Do you feel they are a good fit?
9. Who did you think started the fire at the Richardsons? And what did you suspect happened to Coco? Were you surprised by all the revelations?
10. Do you believe Leslee pushed Coco, or did Coco jumped off the boat herself? If it was the latter, why would Coco jump off the boat?
11. We eventually learn that Coco wrote a screenplay based on her experiences with the Richardsons, which becomes a huge success. What did you think about this ending for Coco?
12. The story ends at Ed’s retirement party, but it seems he’s suffering another heart attack at the end. Did Ed pass away or do you think he survived?
13. What are your thoughts on Elin’s Nantucket series as a whole? Why do you feel her stories are so popular and everlasting?

Additional Recommendations

Hope you enjoyed book club questions for Swan Song! Here are some more recommendations along with links to book club questions.

Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel has a problem: the legendary Gresham Trust has been depleted by decades of profligate spending, and behind all the magazine covers and Instagram stories manors and yachts lies nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus’s scheming mother, is for Rufus to attend his sister’s wedding at a luxury eco-resort, a veritable who’s-who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs, and seduce a woman with money.

Should he marry Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with honey blond tresses and a royal bloodline? Should he pursue Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius who passes out billions like lollipops? Or should he follow his heart, betray his family, squander his legacy, and finally confess his love to the literal girl next door, the humble daughter of a doctor, Eden Tong? When a volcanic eruption burns through the nuptials and a hot mic exposes a secret tryst, the Gresham family plans—and their reputation—go up in flames.

Can the once-great dukedom rise from the ashes? Or will a secret tragedy, hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist?

Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again.

It’s easier said than done.

Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.

If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it.

When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.

Happy reading!