Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Which elements did you like and dislike about Anatomy of an Alibi?

2. Which protagonist, Camille or Aubrey, did you connect with most strongly? Why?

3. Compare Anatomy of an Alibi to Elston’s debut adult novel, First Lie Wins (2024). What similarities and differences stand out to you most?

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

1. For much of the novel, Silas wrestles with feelings of guilt, as he believes he was driving the night the Prices died. Have you ever done something you regretted or felt guilty about? How did you manage to move on?

2. Aubrey and Camille struggle to trust each other throughout the novel. Do you consider yourself a trusting person, or a more wary one? Have you ever had an experience where you found it difficult to trust someone? What did that experience teach you about trust?

3. Camille and Ben’s marriage plays a central role in Anatomy of an Alibi, and Ben’s controlling behavior taints their relationship as Camille struggles to maintain agency. Have you experienced a similar relationship dynamic? If so, discuss your experience. If not, how do you imagine you’d react?

4. Aubrey sacrifices true justice for her parents to save Deacon. Have you ever given up something important for someone you loved? Was it worth it? Why or why not?

5. Margaret’s lie kickstarts the series of tragedies that make up the mystery central to the novel and finding out the truth alarms Camille. Think about a time you found out about a serious lie. How did you react? How did the lie impact you and your perception of the world?

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

1. Elston examines the impact of power and wealth on the efficacy of the justice system. How do both influence and affluence affect the machinations of the policing and court systems in your own society? 

2. Gender is an integral concept to Camille’s character arc and Elston’s exploration of traditional marriage norms. Camille struggles with the gendered expectations of her role as a wife. How does the novel address these struggles and connect them to the broader gender norms present in contemporary society?

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

1. Anatomy of an Alibi features the typical twists and turns of a murder mystery novel. What are some red herrings and misdirects that distract the reader from the revelation of the ending? What other common tropes and techniques of the genre does the book utilize?

2. Examine which tropes Elston engages with from the mystery/thriller genre. How does she utilize or subvert these tropes?

3. Elston uses four different points of view throughout the novel. What impact does a multi-narratorial structure have on the development of the plot, characterization, and the central mystery?

4. Discuss the thematic connection between identity and innocence. How do Camille and Aubrey shed, exchange, and/or modify their identities throughout the novel? How do they both construct and deconstruct their concepts of innocence?

5. Analyze how the narrative explores the nature of justice. How do different characters conceive of justice? How are their conceptions different or similar, and how do these conceptions impact the narrative?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. First Lie Wins is currently in production to become a TV series. If you were to adapt Anatomy of an Alibi similarly, who would you cast in the main roles? Why?

2. How do you think the relationships presented by the end of the novel (Aubrey and Deacon, Camille and Hank) progress? Do you see the couples ending up happy, or will the trauma of the past be too much?