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Book club questions for The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica covers all that happens in this tale of deception. For more context about the book, check out my spoiler-free review here.
Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbor Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.
But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. And as the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of what really happened that dark and deadly night. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.
Book Club Questions for The Other Mrs.
- When Sadie is first face-to-face with the house in Maine—she instantly feels uneasy. Why do you think she felt that way? How did that feeling foreshadow what was to come?
- When you read thrillers, do you try to solve the mystery along with the protagonist or are you more just along for the ride?
- Their neighbor Morgan is murdered shortly after the family moves in. Did you instantly suspect that someone in Sadie’s family has something to do with it?
- Were you surprised when the perspective shifted to the Camille character? What did you think about Camille at first? Did you try to connect her with anyone in Sadie’s present in the small Maine town?
- The story then shifts to a character named “mouse.” Who did you think that was at first?
- Now let’s talk about what we thought about Sadie’s husband Will—when did you start to suspect that there was some sinister about him?
- Sadie seems to suffer from moments of memory loss. What did you think was actually happening there? Did you think Will was drugging her?
- We learn that Sadie and Will’s son was bullied in the school and got caught with a knife. Let’s discuss this section.
- Imogen turns out to serve a large role late in the story. Let’s now talk about the storyline with her and her mother.
- The big twist is that Sadie suffers from dissociative identity disorder and that she’s also Camille and Mouse. Did you see this coming at all? What were some of the hints the author gave that Sadie suffered from this?
- It turns out that Will manipulated Sadie’s condition this entire time and because of that, had her commit murder, including to Morgan. What did you think as you read this reveal?
- What did you think about the ending and how the story wrapped up for Sadie, Imogen and Sadie’s kids?
- Mary wrote in her author’s note: “mental illness affects forty-six million Americans each year. In The Other Mrs., Sadie is a victim of cruel manipulation by those seeking to take advantage of her illness, and in the end she is empowered to seize control and ultimately to seek the help she needs. It is my hope that we, as a society, will continue to bring awareness to this important issue and that in the future, we will place greater emphasis on ensuring those in need have access to proper care and treatment.” Let’s discuss this more in-depth.
- Netflix plans to turn The Other Mrs. into a feature film. What do you expect to see in the movie? Do you think there will be any changes to the story?
- What are some of the elements that make for a successful thriller?
What to Read Next
I know book clubs enjoy the thrillers so here’s some more recommendations along with links to book club questions!
The Escape Room by Megan Goldin
In the lucrative world of finance, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam are at the top of their game. They’ve mastered the art of the deal and celebrate their success in style―but a life of extreme luxury always comes at a cost.
Invited to participate in an escape room challenge as a team-building exercise, the ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high-rise building, eager to prove themselves. But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they’re caught in a dangerous game of survival.
Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free. But as the game begins to reveal the team’s darkest secrets, they realize there’s a price to be paid for the terrible deeds they committed in their ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. As tempers fray, and the clues turn deadly, they must solve one final chilling puzzle: which one of them will kill in order to survive?
You can order the book on Amazon here. Check out my book club questions here.
Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson
Amy Whey is proud of her ordinary life and the simple pleasures that come with it—teaching diving lessons, baking cookies for new neighbors, helping her best friend, Charlotte, run their local book club. Her greatest joy is her family: her devoted professor husband, her spirited fifteen-year-old stepdaughter, her adorable infant son. And, of course, the steadfast and supportive Charlotte. But Amy’s sweet, uncomplicated life begins to unravel when the mysterious and alluring Angelica Roux arrives on her doorstep one book club night.
Sultry and magnetic, Roux beguiles the group with her feral charm. She keeps the wine flowing and lures them into a game of spilling secrets. Everyone thinks it’s naughty, harmless fun. Only Amy knows better. Something wicked has come her way—a she-devil in a pricey red sports car who seems to know the terrible truth about who she is and what she once did.
When they’re alone, Roux tells her that if she doesn’t give her what she asks for, what she deserves, she’s going to make Amy pay for her sins. One way or another.
To protect herself and her family and save the life she’s built, Amy must beat the devil at her own clever game, matching wits with Roux in an escalating war of hidden pasts and unearthed secrets. Amy knows the consequences if she can’t beat Roux. What terrifies her is everything she could lose if she wins.
A diabolically entertaining tale of betrayal, deception, temptation, and love filled with dark twists leavened by Joshilyn Jackson’s trademark humor, Never Have I Ever explores what happens when the transgressions of our past come back with a vengeance.
You can order the book on Amazon here. Check out my book club questions here.
