Book Club Questions for The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

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Book club questions for The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda explore the themes of trauma, grief, survivor guilt, trust, and the complexities of human relationships. This gripping novel delves into the psychological and emotional impacts of a tragic event and its aftermath.

This haunting story follows a group of high school survivors bound by a tragic event and a pact they made to come together each year to commemorate it.

As you explore the story and its characters, be prepared for thought-provoking discussions that delve into the themes of survival, trauma, and the impact of past events on our lives. Make sure to delve into the complexities of the characters’ choices and actions, and ponder the moral dilemmas they face.

As you read through the following book club questions for The Only Survivors, I encourage you to reflect on your own insights and interpretations, and come prepared to share your thoughts during a book club discussion. So, let’s dive in and get ready for an exciting and stimulating book club discussion!

I hope you will enjoy the following book club questions and reading guide for The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda! ✨

The Synopsis

Seven hours in the past. Seven days in the present. Seven survivors remaining. Who would you save?

A decade ago, two vans filled with high school seniors on a school service trip crashed into a Tennessee ravine—a tragedy that claimed the lives of multiple classmates and teachers. The nine students who managed to escape the river that night were irrevocably changed. A year later, after one of the survivors dies by suicide on the anniversary of the crash, the rest of them make a pact: to come together each year to commemorate that terrible night.

To keep one another safe.
To hold one another accountable.
Or both.

Their annual meeting place, a house on the Outer Banks, has long been a refuge. But by the tenth anniversary, Cassidy Bent has worked to distance herself from the tragedy, and from the other survivors. She’s changed her mobile number. She’s blocked the others’ email addresses. This year, she is determined to finally break ties once and for all. But on the day of the reunion, she receives a text with an obituary attached: another survivor is gone. Now they are seven—and Cassidy finds herself hurling back toward the group, wild with grief—and suspicion.

Almost immediately, something feels off this year. Cassidy is the first to notice when Amaya, annual organizer, slips away, overwhelmed. This wouldn’t raise alarm except for the impending storm. Suddenly, they’re facing the threat of closed roads and surging waters…again. Then Amaya stops responding to her phone. After all they’ve been through, she wouldn’t willfully make them worry. Would she?

And—as they promised long ago—each survivor will do whatever he or she can do to save one another. Won’t they?

A propulsive and chilling locked-box mystery filled with the dazzling hairpin twists that are the author’s signature, The Only Survivors is New York Times-bestselling author Megan Miranda’s best novel yet.

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About the Author

Megan Miranda is an American author of mystery and suspense novels for young adult and adult readers. Her novels All the Missing Girls and The Last House Guest have both been New York Times bestsellers and were also chosen as Reese’s Book Club Picks, garnering widespread acclaim for their thrilling and captivating storytelling

After earning a degree in biology from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2002, Miranda initially pursued a career in biotechnology. However, her passion for writing led her to become a high school science teacher before embarking on her successful writing career.

In 2012, Miranda published her first novel, Fracture, which gained critical acclaim for its unique premise about a teenager who can predict people’s deaths after awakening from a coma. Since then, she has authored over a dozen novels, which marked her successful entry into writing for adults and earned her widespread recognition.

Book Club Questions for The Only Survivors

I hope you and your book club will enjoy my discussion reading guide for The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda.✨

As a group, let’s delve into the true crime phenomenon that seems to be at an all-time high in our society. What do you think drives our fascination with tragic stories? Do you believe that fiction has contributed to this rise? How has it shaped our perception of real-life crimes?
Thrillers often challenge readers to exercise their reasoning skills and guess twists and mysteries alongside the characters. Did you successfully anticipate any parts of the plot in The Only Survivors? Which parts caught you off guard and surprised you the most? How do you feel about trying to guess twists in a thriller – does it enhance or detract from your reading experience?
Throughout the book, references to luck and fate recur. Cassidy mentions that the survivor’s reunion house came down to luck, Amaya’s dad believed in making their own fate, and Russ asks Clara about her beliefs in fate. Do you think there is a difference between luck and fate? Which do you believe has a greater influence on the lives of the characters in this story – luck or fate? How do these concepts play out in the events of the book?
Cassidy is initially reluctant to reunite with the survivors for the 10th year, as she feels it’s hindering her ability to move on. If you were in a similar situation, would you choose to reunite with your fellow survivors annually? Do you think it would aid in your healing process or potentially set you back, forcing you to confront emotions you’re trying to move past? Share your thoughts as a group.
Lies seem to beget more lies in The Only Survivors. Let’s trace the instances where characters withheld the truth or told significant lies. Which lie do you think had the most significant impact on the course of the story? If Cassidy had initially confessed to the group that she was standing in front of the bus during the accident, how do you think it would have altered the events of the story? Discuss the lies that had the greatest snowball effect.
Guilt is a pervasive theme in the story, with Amaya feeling burdened by the guilt of the trip being her idea and Cassidy struggling with the weight of inadvertently causing the accident. How do you think these characters can navigate their guilt and find redemption? Can you relate to their feelings of guilt in any way?
The characters in the story seem to grapple with tragedies on their own without seeking outside help. If the characters had involved the police or sought professional assistance, how do you think the story would have unfolded differently? Do you believe any of the characters deserve to face legal consequences for their actions, and if so, who and why?
Russ, though not directly involved in the accident, experienced his own tragedy with the loss of his sister and the subsequent neglect from authorities. How do you feel about Russ and his actions in response to his circumstances? To what extent do you sympathize with him, and do you believe his actions were justified or not?
Coping with trauma and loss can manifest in various ways for different individuals in the story. What do you think are some of the healthier ways the characters could have coped with the aftermath of the accident? If you could offer personalized advice to the remaining survivors, considering all that they have been through in the past 10 years, what would it be? How do you think they can find healing and move forward in their lives?
At the end of the book, Cassidy promises to “leave the past to the past and never look back.” Do you think this is a wise decision? Should the group benefit from another reunion to confront the new truth they’ve uncovered, or should they bury it and never speak of it again? Share your opinions on whether leaving the past behind is the best approach for the characters.
The premise of The Only Survivors revolves around a pact made by the survivors of a tragic accident. What do you think about the concept of survivor guilt and the ways in which the characters in the book cope with it? How do their actions and decisions regarding the annual reunion reflect their individual approaches to dealing with trauma?
Cassidy, the protagonist, is determined to break ties with the other survivors after a decade of commemorating the anniversary of the accident. Why do you think Cassidy wants to distance herself from the group? How do her feelings of grief and suspicion intensify as the story unfolds?
The setting of the Outer Banks, with its looming storm and closed roads, adds to the sense of tension and urgency in the story. How does the setting contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the book? How does it impact the characters’ actions and decisions as they try to save one another?
Amaya, the annual organizer of the reunion, goes missing during the impending storm, and the other survivors become increasingly worried. How does the disappearance of Amaya affect the dynamics among the remaining characters? How do their suspicions and fears escalate, and do you think their reactions are justified?
The author, Megan Miranda, is known for her hairpin twists and suspenseful storytelling. Were you able to predict the outcome of the story, or were you taken by surprise by the revelations and plot twists? How do you think the author crafted the mystery elements in the book to keep readers engaged and intrigued?
Throughout the book, the characters grapple with the concept of saving one another, as they promised to do in their pact. What do you think this idea of saving each other means to the characters? How does it evolve and change as the story progresses? Do you think they are successful in keeping their promise to one another?
Let’s discuss the structure of The Only Survivors. How do the shifting time frames and points of view impact the story? Did you find Cassidy to be a reliable narrator while reading? Were there any other points of view that you distrusted or found unreliable? Explore the narrative structure and its effect on your reading experience.
The accident occurred during a pivotal time in the characters’ lives, as they were high school seniors preparing to enter the “real world.” Do you think the accident severely altered the course of Cassidy’s life? Where do you imagine she would be if she hadn’t gone on that trip? Can you envision vastly different lives for any of the other characters? Share your thoughts on how the accident shaped their futures.
Thrillers often contain covert clues dispersed throughout the story, leading to a satisfying ending that may not be entirely unexpected. What clues did you pick up on in The Only Survivors that were relevant to the ending? Were you suspicious of Russ or any other characters? Were your suspicions justified or unfounded? Let’s discuss the clues and red herrings in the book as a group.
The Only Survivors explores themes of grief, guilt, and the lasting impact of trauma. How do the characters in the book cope with these emotions in different ways? Are there any characters whose coping mechanisms or reactions stood out to you? How do you think their experiences and emotions relate to real-life situations and experiences?
The author describes the story as a “locked-box mystery.” How does the setting of the house on the Outer Banks contribute to this locked-box concept, and how does it affect the plot and the characters’ interactions with one another? How do the characters’ confined environment heighten the suspense and tension in the story?
The Only Survivors delves into the complexities of relationships among the survivors, as well as their relationships with the victim who died by suicide. How do the characters’ past and present relationships with one another shape their actions and decisions during the reunion? How do their dynamics evolve and change as the story progresses, and what do you think this says about the nature of trauma and grief in relationships?
The book raises questions about the concept of accountability among the survivors, as well as the choices they make in the aftermath of the accident. Do you think the characters take responsibility for their actions, or do they avoid accountability? How do their actions and decisions impact the outcome of the story, and do you think they find redemption or closure by the end of the book?

Selected Reviews for The Only Survivors

“Fans of Gillian Flynn, Chevy Stevens, and Jennifer McMahon will devour this relentlessly paced and deftly plotted thriller… The story moves at a feverish, unfaltering pace, keeping readers just as perplexed as the characters.” —Publishers Weekly

“And, oh boy, does [Megan] ever know how to write a twisty-turny ending (or two, or more).”
—Marilyn Stasio

“This eerie thriller, in which the setting itself may be actively malevolent, can stand next to Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House and Stephen King’s The Shining … Expect shivers and lots of them.”
—Booklist (starred)

“The Last To Vanish is Megan Miranda at her finest: an eerie edge-of-the-earth location, riveting characters, and thrills that just don’t quit. Loved this novel.”
—Laura Dave

Additional Recommendations

Hope you enjoyed my book club discussion questions and reading guide for The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda!

Here are some more of my book club recommendations:

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda

New York Times bestselling author Megan Miranda returns with a gripping and propulsive thriller that opens with the disappearance of a journalist who is investigating a string of vanishings in the resort town of Cutter’s Pass—will its dark secrets finally be revealed?

Ten years ago, Abigail Lovett fell into a job she loves, managing The Passage Inn, a cozy, upscale resort nestled in the North Carolina mountain town of Cutter’s Pass. Cutter’s Pass is best known for its outdoor offerings—rafting and hiking, with access to the Appalachian trail by way of a gorgeous waterfall—and its mysterious history. As the book begins, the string of unsolved disappearances that has haunted the town is once again thrust into the spotlight when journalist Landon West, who was staying at the inn to investigate the story of the vanishing trail, then disappears himself.

Abby has sometimes felt like an outsider within the community, but she’s come to view Cutter’s Pass as her home. When Landon’s brother Trey shows up looking for answers, Abby can’t help but feel the town closing ranks. And she’s still on the outside. When she finds incriminating evidence that may bring them closer to the truth, Abby soon discovers how little she knows about her coworkers, neighbors, and even those closest to her.

Megan Miranda brings her best writing to The Last to Vanish, a riveting thriller filled with taut suspense and shocking twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda

Everyone knows the story of “the girl from Widow Hills.”

Arden Maynor was just a child when she was swept away while sleepwalking during a terrifying rainstorm and went missing for days. Strangers and friends, neighbors and rescue workers, set up search parties and help vigils, praying for her safe return. Against all odds, she was found, alive, clinging to a storm drain. The girl from Widow Hills was a living miracle. Arden’s mother wrote a book. Fame followed. Fans and fan letters, creeps, and stalkers. And every year, the anniversary. It all became too much. As soon as she was old enough, Arden changed her name and disappeared from the public eye.

Now a young woman living hundreds of miles away, Arden goes by Olivia. She’s managed to stay off the radar for the last few years. But with the twentieth anniversary of her rescue approaching, the media will inevitably renew its interest in Arden. Where is she now? Soon Olivia feels like she’s being watched and begins sleepwalking again, like she did long ago, even waking up outside her home. Until late one night, she jolts awake in her yard. At her feet is the corpse of a man she knows—from her previous life, as Arden Maynor.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Prepare yourself for a thrilling, addictive novel about marriage, betrayal, and the secrets that push us to the edge in this latest book from the bestselling author of The Good Sister and The Younger Wife.

Picture a lovely cottage on a cliff, with sloping lawns, walking paths, and beautiful flowers. It’s Gabe and Pippa Gerard’s dream home in a sleepy coastal town. But their perfect house hides something sinister. The tall cliffs have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Over the past several months, Gabe comes to their rescue, literally talking them off the ledge.

Until one day, he doesn’t. When Pippa discovers Gabe knew the victim, the questions spiral. . . .Did the victim jump? Was she pushed? And would Gabe, the love of Pippa’s life, her soulmate . . . lie? As the perfect façade of their marriage begins to crack, the deepest and darkest secrets begin to unravel. Because sometimes, the most convincing lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

Thank you for reading my book club discussion questions and as always, happy reading! ❤️