Printable Book Club Questions for The Witch by Freida McFadden

The main premise is whether ghosts are real. Are ghosts indeed real, or do you think they don’t exist?
When Julia stayed at the house as a kid, she heard what sounded like a ghost and even woke up with a small white patch of hair. When she loses her job and apartment, she decides to return to Pemberton. Why did she return? Would you have come back if you were Julia?
Pemberton was built in 1660. Have you ever been in a house that old?
The story features two timelines: one with Julia in the present, and the other that follows Caroline in the 1600s when she is accused of witchcraft. Did you enjoy both timelines? Were you engaged more with one more than the other?
Ethel is Julia’s great-aunt who is helping Julia’s grandmother, Letty, and taking care of the house. But Julia doesn’t really know her, as Ethel was not around while she was growing up. Did you have suspicions about “Ethel” right away, or did it take time to build?
On Julia’s first night, Ethel and her grandmother tell her that Caroline haunts the house at night. And Julia does hear what sounds like a ghost moaning late at night. Did you think it was Caroline’s ghost, or did you believe it was something else?
Caroline’s life seems all set when she marries the wealthy Archibald and moves into Pemberton. But she’s unable to conceive and does feel a bit stifled in the house. Why did Caroline lie to Archibald and say she was with a child?
Julia meets Henry, the curator, who hopes to convince her the family should sell the house and turn it into a museum. Did you trust Henry or were you hesitant at first? What did you think of the scene where Julia believes he might actually be a ghost for a minute there?
Caroline’s friend is accused of witchcraft, and she tries to help her, but then the town turns on her and accuses Caroline of witchcraft too. Was Caroline too trusting of her husband and the local town?
She ends up in jail, and next to her cell is Jonas, who is accused of being the Night Reaper. But then Jonas helps Caroline several times. What was your impression of Jonas at first? Did you believe he was the Night Reaper?
When did it become apparent that “Ethel” and Mick were lying and covering up secrets?
Eventually, all is revealed: Ethel is not her grandmother’s sister. Her name is Celia, and she killed the real Ethel shortly after she gave birth. Her grandmother raised Julia’s dad as her own. Caroline is not a ghost, and Celia is a murderer. She kills Mick and is going to kill Julia when her grandmother rescues her. What were your thoughts as all this unfolded?
And on Caroline’s side, it takes a big turn as well. Jonas helps them escape from prison by lighting it on fire. She returns home to get money and items to sell, but finds that Archibald has just killed his mistress, Molly. He is actually the Night Reaper. Were you surprised by this?
Jonas kills Archibald, and the two take on the identities of Archibald and Molly. Eventually, the two do fall in love and have children. After their children are grown, they return to Pemberton. What did you think about the ending for Caroline? Is it sad that no one will ever know her true story?
There’s a small hint that the ghost was actually the real Ethel trying to warn her family about Celia. Do you think that’s true, or is it their imagination?
Are there any loose ends from the narrative you would like to discuss?