Printable Book Club Questions for The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

We read the story from the perspectives of Lucy and Diana—both in the past and present. Why do you think it was important for us to read both of their perspectives?
Diana is impressed with Lucy at the beginning and seems to believe that she’s the kind of woman who just got everything easily. Why do you think Diana was so hard on Lucy to begin with?
There’s a lot of missed opportunities and also just plain misspeaking when it comes to Diana and Lucy. Let’s talk about how their relationship could have been more different, and better, if they were able to actually communicate more.
While it seems that Diana committed suicide because of cancer, the autopsy reports that there’s no cancer. But there’s evidence of suffocation. Who did you think murdered Diana? Did you think Lucy had something to do with it?
Why do you think Diana was so tough on her children and didn’t want to give them money?
Lucy and Diana have quite the volatile relationship, which comes to head, when Lucy pushes Diana in the hospital after her daughter’s accident. Let’s talk about the impact of this scene.
So in the video the author Sally Hepworth mentions that she has a great relationship with her mother-in-law so it doesn’t seem to be the influence for this novel. Why do you think the dynamic between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can be complicated? How does your mother-in-law compare to Diana?
After Diana’s husband Tom dies, Diana goes through a deep depression and is determined to commit suicide. Why did she ask Lucy for help? What were the key factors to change her mind about killing herself?
Throughout the story we learn more about how obsessed Nettie was in becoming a mother. Were you surprised Nettie was the one to murder her mother or did you see it coming? Why did she do it?
What did you think about the ending with Lucy and Ollie starting the recruiting company that Diana had suggested?
What were some of the key themes that you picked up on?