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Book club questions for The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell explore the themes of mystery, hidden secrets, the complexity of human relationships, and the unyielding pursuit of truth in the face of uncertainty.
The way the author paints the characters and the setting is truly immersive, making the mysterious disappearance of the young couple even more haunting. For me, one of the best thrillers I’ve read, and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the final page.
What were your impressions of this novel?
This blog post contains the book club questions for The Night She Disappeared, and a printable PDF at the bottom of your post for use with your book clubs.
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
I’m excited to hear your unique perspectives during our book club discussion, and I have shared some additional recommendations below.
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section!
About the Story
The Night She Disappeared is a story about a young couple who goes missing after a party, and a year later, a writer moves nearby. While exploring a spooky forest, she finds a mysterious note that might be a clue to what happened.
The book keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat as secrets unfold and suspense builds up. It’s a real page-turner!
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 at 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 Night She Disappeared
1. In “The Night She Disappeared,” the narrative unfolds primarily through the perspectives of Tallulah, Kim, and Sophie. Whose voice resonated with you the most? Did you find yourself favoring one narrator over the others? Are there additional characters whose viewpoints you wished the story had delved into?
2. “The Night She Disappeared” weaves a tapestry of intrigue with elements like concealed passageways, an imposing abandoned mansion, and an enigmatic boarding school. These elements draw upon the traditions of Gothic literature, reminiscent of timeless works such as “Jane Eyre” and “Rebecca,” while also aligning with modern favorites like “The Secret History.” How does Lisa Jewell skillfully manipulate these literary conventions, infusing her unique signature into the genre?
3. After stumbling upon the engagement ring and prompting a renewed search of the woods, Sophie reflects on Kim’s enduring conviction: “Not once has Kim imagined that possibility to be anything other than a sliver of a bad dream that she could easily chase away with the power of her own thoughts” (page 173). How does Kim’s unwavering faith fuel the relentless investigation? How does her profound understanding of her daughter guide her towards unveiling the truth?
4. Lisa Jewell is known for her intricate character development. How did the author’s portrayal of the characters’ flaws and poor life choices impact your connection with them? Were there particular characters you found yourself empathizing with despite their shortcomings?
5. The Dark Place, the dense forest near the estate, serves as a central setting in the story. How does the forest itself become a symbolic element within the narrative? In what ways does it contribute to the overall atmosphere of suspense and mystery?
6. Scarlett’s artistic creations depict her adorned in regal attire, juxtaposed against a backdrop of unsettling imagery. Liam confides in Sophie that Scarlett never disclosed the symbolism behind her art. How do you interpret Scarlett’s paintings? What do these visual expressions unveil about her character and innermost emotions?
7. “The Night She Disappeared” showcases an array of mother-daughter relationships, ranging from the nurturing bond between Kim and Tallulah to the intricately twisted dynamic between Joss and Scarlett, and the more laid-back connection shared by Kerryanne and Lexie. Despite the diverse spectrum of women and relationships, do you discern any overarching themes related to the exploration of the mother-daughter relationship that Lisa Jewell deliberately delves into?
8. A palpable socioeconomic divide permeates the seemingly idyllic village of Upfield Common. As Sophie muses about the students at Maypole, she observes, “It’s not just their youth that glitters . . . it’s their backgrounds, their innate privilege . . . They come from places that aren’t like the places most people come from and they have the high-gloss veneer of money that shines through the scruffiest of exteriors” (page 92). In what ways does class stratification exert its influence on the narrative’s progression, and how do different characters respond to the enigma of Tallulah’s disappearance within this context?
9. The use of profanity and controversial themes like sexuality is a notable aspect of Lisa Jewell’s writing. How did these elements enhance or detract from your engagement with the story and the characters? Did you find that they contributed to character development and uniqueness as mentioned in the reviews?
10. Throughout “The Night She Disappeared,” Lisa Jewell weaves poignant moments of Kim’s sorrow as she grapples with the absence of her daughter. Which specific details resonated with you the most, evoking a profound emotional impact?
12. Despite Scarlett’s initial charm, it becomes evident that she wields a level of control akin to Zach’s. Instances such as Tallulah’s enticement at the school party, the TM tattoo (which hints at possessiveness, whether signifying Tallulah’s initials or “trademark”), and her influence over Tallulah’s breakup foreshadow her dominion throughout the narrative. Was there a pivotal moment when you started to harbor concerns about Scarlett’s grip on Tallulah?
13. Love and control intertwine not only within Zach and Scarlett’s dynamic but also among other characters. Who else grapples with striking a balance in their relationships? Which characters demonstrate a healthy comprehension of genuine love?
14. Sophie, a writer of cozy mysteries, becomes embroiled in a plot reminiscent of her own novels. How do Sophie’s sections mirror the structure of a classic mystery, evoking the essence of an Agatha Christie tale? In what ways do her experiences diverge from traditional mystery narratives?
15. Tallulah is drawn to Scarlett due to the persona she can embody around her. Reflecting on her text exchanges with Scarlett, Tallulah contemplates, “Scarlett believes Tallulah to be your average eighteen-year-old girl, the type who can come and go at her own pace, the kind with no commitments. And now Tallulah thinks of this other version of herself, the one with no commitments… Suddenly, she wants this other Tallulah’s life more than anything in the world” (page 185). How does this alternate version of Tallulah manifest throughout the story? How does Tallulah’s yearning for an alternate life give rise to complications? Do any other characters exhibit dual identities?
16. Liam’s concealed truth remains shrouded until the story’s final pages. Were you able to conjecture his hidden reality before its revelation?
17. As the novel nears its conclusion, Kim acknowledges her inability to muster sympathy or concern for Scarlett, despite the latter’s confession and potential legal consequences: “Kim cannot feel sorry for her or care about her fate, as young as she is, as much as Scarlett may claim to love her daughter. She simply cannot” (page 392). Having gained insight into Scarlett’s character over the course of the narrative, do you find yourself empathizing with her? When considering culpability, who bears greater responsibility—Scarlett or Joss Jacques?
18. Some reviewers mentioned an “off” feeling about the ending, suggesting that it felt rushed and could have been integrated differently. Without revealing spoilers, do you agree with this assessment? How did the ending impact your overall satisfaction with the book?
Selected Reviews
“Utterly gripping with richly drawn, hugely compelling characters, this is a first-class thriller with heart” – Lucy Foley
“Jewell is skilled at keeping readers on their toes, always challenging our expectations of where a story is heading. . . . If you like to be kept guessing, this one’s for you.” ― Booklist
“The queen of thrillers.” ― Good Morning America
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed the book club discussion questions and reading guide for The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell!
Here are some more of my book club recommendations related to this book:
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the crimes and was put away for life, leaving Chloe and the rest of her family to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath.
Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. While she finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to achieve, she sometimes feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. So when a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, seeing parallels from her past that aren’t actually there, or for the second time in her life, is Chloe about to unmask a killer?
From debut author Stacy Willingham comes a masterfully done, lyrical thriller, certain to be the launch of an amazing career. A Flicker in the Dark is eerily compelling to the very last page.
The Maid’s Diary by Loreth Anne White
A cunning, twisty, and unsettling novel of psychological suspense with a startling conclusion by Loreth Anne White, the Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of The Patient’s Secret.
Kit Darling is a maid with a snooping problem. She’s the “invisible girl,” compelled to poke into her wealthy clients’ closely guarded lives. It’s a harmless hobby until Kit sees something she can’t unsee in the home of her brand-new clients: a secret so dark it could destroy the privileged couple expecting their first child. This makes Kit dangerous to the couple. In turn, it makes the couple—who might kill to keep their secret—dangerous to Kit.
When homicide cop Mallory Van Alst is called to a scene at a luxury waterfront home known as the Glass House, she’s confronted with evidence of a violent attack so bloody it’s improbable the victim is alive. But there’s no body. The homeowners are gone. And their maid is missing. The only witness is the elderly woman next door, who woke to screams in the night. The neighbor was also the last person to see Kit Darling alive.
As Mal begins to uncover the secret that has sent the lives of everyone involved on a devious and inescapable collision course, she realizes that nothing is quite as it seems. And no one escapes their past.
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Can you stop a murder after it’s already happened?
Late October. After midnight. You’re waiting up for your seventeen-year-old son. He’s late. As you watch from the window, he emerges, and you realize he isn’t alone: he’s walking toward a man, and he’s armed.
You can’t believe it when you see him do it: your funny, happy teenage son, he kills a stranger, right there on the street outside your house. You don’t know who. You don’t know why. You only know your son is now in custody. His future shattered.
That night you fall asleep in despair. All is lost. Until you wake . . .
. . . and it is yesterday.
And then you wake again . . .
. . . and it is the day before yesterday.
Every morning you wake up a day earlier, another day before the murder. With another chance to stop it. Somewhere in the past lies an answer. The trigger for this crime—and you don’t have a choice but to find it . . .
Printable PDF
Feel free to distribute these discussion questions to your book club members before your meeting. Simply click the link below to download and print the PDF file.
Happy reading! ❤️