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Book club discussion questions for One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose explore the complexities of opulence, friendship, and betrayal in the exclusive world of Buckhead. This gripping thriller delves into the lives of Shannon, Crystal, Olivia, and Jenny, as they navigate the treacherous waters of high society.
As we delve into the pages of this gripping thriller, our book club discussion questions will explore the complexities of motherhood, friendships, and the unraveling of secrets. We’ll examine the multifaceted dynamics of ambition, power, and the dark side of human nature.
What motivates these women to behave the way they do? How far are they willing to go to protect their status and secrets? Can friendships survive in such a cutthroat environment, or is betrayal inevitable?
With its intricate web of relationships, unexpected twists, and high-stakes drama, One of Us Is Dead raises thought-provoking questions about human behavior, morality, and the consequences of one’s actions.
Join us as we dissect the characters’ motivations, analyze their choices, and uncover the hidden truths that lie beneath the surface. Get ready for a riveting book club discussion that will keep you guessing until the very end!
I hope you will enjoy the following book club discussion questions and reading guide for One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose! ✨
The Synopsis
Opulence. Sex. Betrayal … Sometimes friendship can be deadly.
Meet the women of Buckhead―a place of expensive cars, huge houses, and competitive friendships.
Shannon was once the queen bee of Buckhead. But she’s been unceremoniously dumped by Bryce, her politician husband. When Bryce replaces her with a much younger woman, Shannon sets out to take revenge …
Crystal has stepped into Shannon’s old shoes. A young, innocent Texan girl, she simply has no idea what she’s up against …
Olivia has waited years to take Shannon’s crown as the unofficial queen of Buckhead. Finally, her moment has come. But to take her rightful place, she will need to use every backstabbing, manipulative, underhand trick in the book …
Jenny owns Glow, the most exclusive salon in town. Jenny knows all her clients’ secrets and darkest desires. But will she ever tell?
Who amongst these women will be clever enough to survive Buckhead―and who will wind up dead? They say that friendships can be complex, but no one said it could ever be this deadly.
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Book Club Questions for One of Us Is Dead
I hope you and your book club will enjoy my discussion reading guide for One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose. ✨
- The novel features multiple perspectives from the women of Buckhead, including Shannon, Crystal, Olivia, and Jenny. How did the use of multiple narrators enhance or challenge your understanding of the story? Whose perspective did you find the most compelling, and why?
- Shannon is initially portrayed as the queen bee of Buckhead, but she suffers a betrayal from her husband Bryce and sets out on a path of revenge. How did you feel about Shannon’s actions and motivations throughout the story? Did you sympathize with her or not? Discuss how her character evolved over the course of the novel.
- Crystal is portrayed as a young, innocent Texan girl who steps into Shannon’s shoes in Buckhead. How does Crystal’s character change and develop as she becomes more embroiled in the competitive world of Buckhead? Do you think she is a victim or a willing participant in the events that unfold?
- Olivia is portrayed as the unofficial queen of Buckhead, who is willing to use any means necessary to maintain her power and status. Discuss Olivia’s actions and motivations. Do you think she is a complex character with understandable motivations, or is she purely a villainous figure? How did you feel about her ultimate fate in the story?
- Jenny owns Glow, the most exclusive salon in Buckhead, and holds many secrets about her clients. Discuss the role of Jenny in the story and her relationships with the other women of Buckhead. How does her position as a confidante and observer affect the dynamics among the other characters?
- What were the key elements of foreshadowing or clues that the author dropped throughout the story to hint at the resolution of the mystery? Did you catch them while reading or were you surprised by the twist?
- Discuss the use of multiple perspectives or narrators in the book. How did this affect your understanding of the story and the characters? Did it add to the suspense or make the mystery more challenging to solve?
- Analyze the motivations and actions of the characters in the book. Were they consistent with their personalities and backgrounds, or did their behavior surprise you? How did their choices impact the plot and the resolution of the mystery?
- Consider the setting of the story and how it contributed to the overall mood and atmosphere of the book. Did the author use the setting to create tension or enhance the suspense? How did the location and time period affect the plot and the characters’ actions?
- Reflect on the themes explored in the book, such as betrayal, revenge, greed, or power. How were these themes portrayed and developed throughout the story? Did they add depth to the plot and the characters’ motivations?
- Discuss the pacing of the book and how it affected your reading experience. Did the story unfold at a steady pace, or were there moments of tension and excitement followed by lulls? How did the pacing impact your engagement with the mystery and your ability to solve it?
- Examine the use of red herrings or false leads in the book. Were there any clues or plot points that misled you or made you suspect the wrong character? How did the author use misdirection to heighten the suspense and keep you guessing?
- Analyze the writing style of the author and how it contributed to the overall tone and mood of the book. Did the author use descriptive language, vivid imagery, or other literary techniques to create an immersive reading experience? How did the writing style impact your enjoyment of the mystery?
- Consider the ethical dilemmas presented in the book, such as the characters’ moral choices or the consequences of their actions. How did the characters grapple with these dilemmas, and what impact did their decisions have on the plot and the resolution of the mystery?
- Betrayal and backstabbing are recurring themes in the novel. Discuss the different forms of betrayal that occur among the characters, including romantic betrayals, friendship betrayals, and professional betrayals. How do these betrayals impact the relationships and outcomes in the story?
- The novel explores themes of power, wealth, and social status, particularly within the competitive world of Buckhead. Discuss how these themes are portrayed throughout the story and how they shape the characters’ actions and motivations. Are the characters willing to sacrifice their morals and values for power and status, or do they have redeeming qualities?
- The book is described as having unexpected plot twists and surprises. Discuss any plot twists that surprised you and how they impacted your reading experience. Did you see the ending coming, or were you shocked by the final revelations?
- The novel touches on issues of self-confidence, self-worth, and the lengths people will go to in order to gain validation and acceptance. Discuss how these themes are explored through the characters’ actions and relationships. Do you think the characters’ pursuit of social status and power is ultimately fulfilling or destructive?
- In the end, some characters are willing to go to extreme lengths, including murder, to achieve their goals. Discuss the ethical implications of the characters’ actions and the choices they make. Were there any characters whose actions you found justifiable or understandable, despite their extreme measures?
- The setting of Buckhead is portrayed as opulent and competitive, with expensive cars, huge houses, and cutthroat friendships. How does the setting contribute to the overall tone and atmosphere of the novel? Discuss how the setting impacts the characters and their actions.
- The novel touches on themes of female friendship, rivalry, and betrayal. Discuss the portrayal of female relationships in the story, including the friendships and rivalries among the women of Buckhead. Do you think the novel presents a realistic depiction of female friendships, or does it exaggerate certain aspects for dramatic effect?
Selected Reviews for One of Us Is Dead
“Scheming mean girls, sex and scandal, secrets and lies all wrapped up in Buckhead privilege and opulence — what’s not to love?” — Lisa Unger
“I tore through the pages of this lusciously addictive, fast-paced, incredibly fun suspense…One of Us Is Dead is the perfect binge book. Jeneva Rose is the queen of delectable thrillers!” — Samantha M. Bailey
“Big Little Lies meets Real Housewives in this juicy thriller from Jeneva Rose. With its vicious drama, characters you’ll love to hate, and witty commentary on wealth and power, One of Us Is Dead is a wickedly fun read from beginning to end.” — Megan Collins
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed my book club discussion questions and reading guide for One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose!
Here are some more of my book club recommendations:
Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea
The Girl of Sugar Beach is must-see TV—a riveting, true-life mystery that unfolds over twelve weeks and centers on a fascinating question: Did Grace Sebold murder her boyfriend, Julian, while on a Spring Break vacation, or is she a victim of circumstance and poor police work? Grace has spent the last ten years in a St. Lucian prison, and reaches out to filmmaker Sidney Ryan in a last, desperate attempt to prove her innocence.
As Sidney begins researching, she uncovers startling evidence overlooked during the original investigation. Before the series even finishes filming, public outcry leads officials to reopen the case.
Delving into Grace’s past, Sidney peels away layer after layer of deception. But as she edges closer to the real heart of the story, Sidney must decide if finding the truth is worth risking her newfound fame, her career . . . even her life.
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher
Imagine that your husband has two other wives.
You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this unconventional arrangement, you can see your husband only one day a week. But you love him so much you don’t care. Or at least that’s what you’ve told yourself.
But one day, while you’re doing laundry, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket—an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives.
You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are. Then Hannah starts showing up to your coffee dates with telltale bruises, and you realize she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. But you’ve never known him to be violent, ever.
Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you be willing to go to find out?
And who is his mysterious third wife?
What Happened at the Lake by Phil M. Williams
They went on vacation. Not everyone made it back.
The Palmers went to the lake for a week of fun in the sun. But Alex Palmer had an agenda. He wanted his brother to reconcile with their hypercompetitive father. He wanted his daughter to break up with her shady boyfriend. Most of all, Alex wanted them to be a family one more time before he faced his predicament at home.
Evil incarnate and a brutal double murder shifted Alex’s focus from wants to needs. He needed to keep his family safe. He needed to find her. He needed to know what happened at the lake.
His pastor often said, “God won’t give you more than you can bear.”
This had nothing to do with God.
Thank you for reading my book club discussion questions and as always, happy reading! ❤️