Book Club Questions for The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

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Book club questions for The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell explore the themes of family secrets, tangled relationships, and the impact of the past on the present. The questions also delve into the psychological aspects of the characters, the suspenseful atmosphere of the story, and the intricate connections between the entangled families.

The Family Remains is the second book in the One House, Two Families series. If you’re look for discussion questions for the first book, click here!

This book is a lot of things. So much so, I don’t actually think I could spoil it for you if I wanted to.

Written by a master storyteller, this is a perfect book club pick, the type you won’t be able to put down, and all the twists and turns will keep you wondering what new discovery will happen in the next chapter.

What are your thought on this novel? ✨

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

In this blog post you will find the discussion questions for The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell, while at the bottom of this post I also have some additional suggestions for others novels written by Lisa.

I hope you’ll enjoy this comprehensive guide and your analysis of the book, as much as you enjoyed reading it!

Book Club Questions | Additional Recommendations

About the Story

The Family Remains is second installment in the One House, Two Families series, following The Family Upstairs. In the first novel, Lucy, Henry, and Phin, the main characters are children and endure a harrowing ordeal when Phin’s father, a self-proclaimed cult leader, takes over their house, leading to a nightmare.

Fast forward 30 years later, and Lucy and Henry, now grown siblings, live together. The story kicks off with the discovery of human bones on the Thames foreshore, connecting to a cold case from thirty years ago involving three deaths in a Chelsea mansion. As the plot unfolds, the characters, including Henry on a quest to find someone from the past, become intertwined in a complex narrative.

The novel has received acclaim for its masterful storytelling and intricate plot, with readers noting that both books are exceptionally well-written. Themes of family, secrets, and the enduring impact of the past make this a compelling read, particularly for those who enjoy mystery and suspense.

About the Author

Lisa Jewell is an accomplished author born in London in 1968. Her journey began with the hugely popular debut novel, Ralph’s Party, in 1999.

Over the years, she has penned a total of nineteen novels, with a recent focus on gripping psychological thrillers such as Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, and The Night She Disappeared – all acclaimed selections of the Richard & Judy Book Club.

With her works translated into more than twenty-five languages, Lisa is a bestselling author gracing both New York Times and Sunday Times lists. She resides in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters, and the best dog in the world!

Book Club Questions for The Family Remains

Disclaimer: the following discussion questions contain spoilers, so proceed with caution if you haven’t finished the book yet.

Discuss the relationships between Lucy, Henry, and Phin. How have their dynamics evolved from childhood to adulthood? How do their past experiences shape their interactions in “The Family Remains”?
The story unfolds in different timelines. How does this narrative structure contribute to the overall mystery and suspense in the novel? Did you find it effective in keeping you engaged?
Justin claims that Henry is “Poor Henry” and that the Lamb children were “all victims. Whatever happened inside that house, none of them deserves to be punished for it” (p. 340). Do you agree or disagree with Justin’s assessment? Cite examples as to why you do or do not believe Justin’s evaluation.
Lucy expresses self-hatred for involving Libby in her life, stating, “I hate myself for putting Libby in this position, for coming into Libby’s blameless, uncomplicated life and tainting it with subterfuge and darkness” (p. 347). Do you think Libby would agree with this sentiment and resent her birth mother? Do you believe Lucy is able to forgive herself by the end of the novel?
When Detective Owusu releases Henry, he expresses a desire to be reunited with his family and go home. Were you surprised by Henry’s reaction here? What did you anticipate Henry would do in this situation?
Secrets play a significant role in the plot. Identify the key secrets held by various characters. How do these secrets impact the characters individually and as a family? Did the revelations surprise you?
In “The Family Upstairs,” Phin’s father is a self-proclaimed cult leader. How does this theme carry over into “The Family Remains”? Discuss the psychological impact of cult dynamics on the characters and the overall story.
Explore the ways in which the characters are connected to the events of the first book, “The Family Upstairs.” How do the events of the past continue to influence the characters in the present?
Were you satisfied with how the mystery surrounding the human bones and the cold case was resolved? Were there any twists or resolutions that took you by surprise?
Were you surprised that Lucy helped the police find Henry in Chicago? Why do you think she assisted them, and do you believe Henry would have done the same if their roles were reversed?
In Justin’s suicide note, he mentions that Henry had “Such a strong sense of right and wrong. More than anyone else in that house, Henry knew where the moral high ground should be and was constantly begging the grown-ups to try to find it” (p. 407). Do you agree with Justin’s evaluation of Henry? Does Henry’s understanding of the moral high ground contribute to his ability to navigate ethical dilemmas, or do you think Justin is exaggerating to help clear Henry’s name?
What was your reaction to Michael’s death being deemed an organized crime murder? Were you expecting Lucy or Rachel to be held responsible for it?
For many years, Henry blamed himself for making Phin sick with a love potion, but when the two men reunite, Phin tells Henry, “I wasn’t ill from your love potion, Henry. I was ill from malnutrition. From dehydration. It was their fault I was ill. Not yours” (p. 427). Do you think Phin is justified in fully blaming the adults, or do you believe Henry is responsible for some of the harm that occurred in the house?
Reflect on the character growth of Lucy, Henry, and Phin throughout the story. How have their experiences shaped them, and in what ways do they overcome the challenges presented in the novel?
When Phin goes missing, Lucy reaches out to his sister, Clemency, who brings up Phin and Henry’s complicated relationship. Lucy thinks to herself, “Twenty-six years is long enough for memories to grow cobwebby, abstract. Twenty-six years is long enough to doubt your recollection of things, to wonder if maybe things really did happen the way you think they happened” (p. 69). How does Lucy’s questioning of her own memories compare to Henry’s reimagining of the past? What are the similarities and differences in the ways Henry and Lucy Lamb deal with their past traumas?
Do you think Rachel and Lucy will continue to be friends, or do you believe their bond in common is too painful for them to maintain a relationship?
During her police interview, Lucy tells Detective Owusu that she “should have killed [Birdie]. If I had killed her, I would have been proud” (p. 367). How does this revelation impact your perception of Lucy as a character?
Toward the end of the novel, Henry “recalibrates” Birdie’s murder, similar to how he reimagined his parents’ murder and his own identity many years ago. In what ways is this recalibration different from Michael’s gaslighting of Rachel?
Discuss the theme of family in the book. How do the characters define and redefine their notions of family? In what ways do they go to great lengths to protect each other?
London and the Chelsea mansion play significant roles in the story. How does the setting contribute to the atmosphere and overall tone of the novel? Could the story have unfolded in a different location?
Lisa Jewell’s writing has been praised for its intricacy. How did you find her storytelling style in “The Family Remains”? Did it enhance your reading experience, and would you be interested in exploring more of her works?
At the end of the novel, Henry takes on characteristics of the man he met in Chicago, Kris Doll. Why do you think Henry, despite his previous moment of clarity about his self-worth, begins to adopt this new identity? Do you view his obsession with Kris as ominous, or is it simply a result of the trauma he experienced as a child?
Do you think Phin meeting Libby and potentially returning to the lives of the Lamb family will allow them all to heal? Can you envision a brighter future for the Lamb family with the re-emergence of Phin?
Do you believe Henry will ever be able to live as his true self, without adopting anybody else’s personality traits? Why or why not?

Enhance Your Book Club

If you haven’t read The Family Upstairs, give it a go for your next book club meeting. Chat about how it connects to The Family Remains – is it a must-read before diving into the second book?
Imagine what went down when Phin reunited with Lucy. Get creative and write a chapter from another character’s perspective about how they think the reunion played out.
Wanna know more about Lisa and her books? Check her out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LisaJewellofficial or catch her on Twitter @lisajewelluk for extra bookish goodies!

Other Books by Lisa Jewell

Hope you enjoyed the book club discussion questions and reading guide for The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell!

Here are some more of my book club recommendations related to this book:

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

This unputdownable psychological thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell follows a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.

Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins.

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home.

But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.

Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?

For my book club questions, click here!

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

On a beautiful summer night in a charming English suburb, a young woman and her boyfriend disappear after partying at the massive country estate of a new college friend.

One year later, a writer moves into a cottage on the edge of the woods that border the same estate. Known locally as the Dark Place, the dense forest is the writer’s favorite place for long walks and it’s on one such walk that she stumbles upon a mysterious note that simply reads, “DIG HERE.”

Could this be a clue towards what has happened to the missing young couple? And what exactly is buried in this haunted ground?

“Utterly gripping with richly drawn, hugely compelling characters, this is a first-class thriller with heart” (Lucy Foley, New York Times bestselling author) that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

For my book club questions, click here!

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. Beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers, and half of a teenaged golden couple. Ellie was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her.

And then she was gone.

Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It’s been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie’s case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she’s meeting Floyd’s daughters—and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel’s breath away.

Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she’s tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?

Happy reading! ❤️