- The story starts off with Nell back home and spreading her father’s ashes with the rest of the police force. What were you first impressions of Nell? Why do you think Nell decided to work for the FBI and get in that line of work?
- Nell and her father were estranged. After reading the story, in what ways are Nell and her dad similar? And how are they different?
- There’s been two murders and they seem connected. Nell starts to suspect her father might have been involved. Why did Nell suspect her dad? What behavior did he do in the past for her to get to that point? Did you suspect her father as well? Or did you think it was someone else?
- When did you start to suspect Dorsey and the other police officers? Did you trust Lee or did you think he was also involved? How shocking was Lee’s death?
- We also learn more about the murder of Nell’s mother. Sean Gilroy admitted murdering her mother but there have been questions that the police forced him to confess and possibly even lie. Is Sean the real murderer?
- This story tackles police corruption—which includes aiding the opioid crisis and receiving paybacks. How true to life do you think this story is with regards to that angle?
- Did you ever suspect Grace was the murderer of the girls? What was her motivation?
- What is the significance of Nell spreading her mother’s ashes in Suffolk County at last?
- Nell finally starts to talk with the therapist about her past and childhood. What did that also show about Nell’s character development?
- Nell and her half-sister Maria move down to Miami. What’s happens next for them? Do you think Nell will settle there?
- If they turn this novel into a movie or TV series, who would you cast for the main roles?
- If this wasn’t fiction, this story totally would have been a true-crime podcast or Netflix series with the police corruption. Do you watch true-crime stories and/or listen to the podcasts?
Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger
More discussion at bookclubchat.com. These questions contain major spoilers.