Book Club Questions for The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

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The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy is a twisty beach read. It’s part social commentary about first-time moms and part thriller. There’s more than meets the eye with this one. The following book club questions will have spoilers so if you haven’t read the novel yet, check out my preview and review first.

Okay, did you see that ending coming? I didn’t. Honestly, I just assumed Winnie was the one involved with the missing Midas. I imagined Winnie talking in the first-person narrative and thought she did this horrible act to win back a man named Joshua. Yep, that was wrong. I didn’t even suspect Scarlett. And obviously, that was the point. Curious if others saw the Scarlett curveball before the end. Let me know if you did!

Book Club Questions for The Perfect Mother

How about we start with the narrative? It’s unique in the sense that it begins first-person and then goes to third-person for three other characters. Were you able to keep track of all the characters or did you get confused? Did you feel that the characters were distinct enough?
Those with children, have you ever been involved with a mothers group like the May Mothers? What are the similarities and differences?
There’s plenty of real-life descriptions of motherhood. Do they ring true to you? Why or why not?
The night Midas goes missing is chaos thanks to a loud venue and plenty of alcohol. How did the description of the night throw the reader off? Are there any hints of Scarlett being there?
Once we find out Midas is gone, did you have any assumptions of what happened to him? Did that change throughout the story?
Of the three women, Colette, Francie and Nell, which one do you like the best? The least?
We find out that Winnie has been hiding secrets and she’s actually a well-off former actress. Why do you think Winnie was so secretive with the women?
Nell’s backstory is very similar to Monica Lewinksy. How did that traumatic past shape who Nell became? Are you surprised the author made that story choice?
Francie has a lot of dark secrets too. But why was she so obsessed with finding Midas?
Token was a wild card. And it turns out he has a past with Winnie. What did you think about his role in the story?
Did you suspect Scarlett at any point in the book? There’s almost a sympathetic tone about her at the end. Let’s talk about her character and background.
What do you think the title means within context of this book? Which character was most obsessed with perfection?
What are your thoughts about the ending?