A Stranger in the House

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of domestic abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did you find this book thrilling or gripping? Which parts of the book were the most suspenseful or surprising for you, and why?

2. Discuss what you found most and least realistic about the plot. Were you able to suspend your disbelief and invest in the characters and the criminal investigation? What were the strongest and weakest parts of the narrative for you?

3. How does this book compare to other domestic thrillers you have read? In what ways is A Stranger in the House similar or different to other thrillers you are familiar with?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Karen argues that everyone has some secrets within relationships. Do you believe that secrets are inevitable within a romantic partnership? What are the pros and cons of total transparency with another person?

2. Karen and Brigid’s friendship appears close and supportive in the early parts of the book, but is soon revealed to be anything but. Have you ever had a friendship that was not what it seemed? How do your experiences compare to Karen’s?

3. Have you ever considered reinventing yourself or imagined yourself in a new identity? What sort of identity would you create for yourself, if you could?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does A Stranger in the House reflect the discourse around domestic abuse and violence during the 2017 #MeToo movement? Does the novel handle these themes in a sensitive manner, or are aspects of it problematic?

2. How does the novel portray life in the suburbs? Are there any aspects of the portrayal consistent with real life in suburbia?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does Karen’s amnesia impact the plot of the novel? How do you feel about this trope in general?

2. Compare how Brigid, Tom, and Karen are characterized. How are they depicted? How are they different or similar to one another?

3. Discuss how the pink rubber gloves and knitting both function as symbols in A Stranger in the House. How are these symbols similar to one another? What other symbols or motifs appear in the text?

4. How does the novel develop the theme of The Façade of Suburban Perfection? How does the novel play with the tensions between appearances versus reality more generally?

5. In what ways are Detectives Rasbach and Fleming stereotypical of fictional law enforcement officers or detectives? Do they have any unique or surprising characteristics?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the roles of Tom, Karen, Brigid, and Detective Rasbach?

2. Author Shari Lapena says people often ask her if there will be a sequel to A Stranger in the House. Imagine you are writing the sequel. What do you think Brigid would do next? How would Karen and Tom respond?

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