Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your experience reading the first few chapters of Caller Unknown? Did the author succeed in creating immediate tension, and at what point did you feel hooked by Simone’s predicament?

2. The novel blends the high stakes of a legal thriller with the intimate fears of a domestic one, a departure from works like John Grisham’s The Firm or Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer. How effective did you find this combination? Did focusing on an ordinary family’s perspective make the criminal plot feel more or less intense for you?

3. Which scene or twist had the most powerful impact on you? Was it Simone’s decision to shoot Jon-Paul Delves, Lucy’s counter-kidnapping of Andrea, or another moment entirely?

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

1. Simone’s past experiences with social services lead her to deeply distrust authority, shaping her decision to handle the kidnapping on her own. Think about a time you had to decide whether to trust an official system or rely on your own judgment. What factors influenced your choice?

2. How did you feel about Damien’s plan to buy false identities and flee the country versus Lucy’s desire to stay and fight for exoneration? Which approach do you think you would lean toward in a desperate situation, and what does this preference reveal about how you balance safety with justice?

3. The idea of “letting children go” evolves from a simple comment into the justification for Simone’s ultimate sacrifice. In your own life, how do you navigate the balance between protecting the people you love and giving them the freedom to make their own way, even if it involves risk?

4. Throughout the crisis, Simone’s identity as a chef and business owner influences her resourcefulness and her need for control. Think about your own profession or a skill you have. How might that part of your identity shape your reactions and problem-solving abilities in an extreme situation?

5. Lucy confesses that she is “always pretending to be fine” to shield her parents from the full extent of her trauma (247). In what ways do people in your own life, or even you yourself, put on a brave face during difficult times? What does the novel suggest about the costs and benefits of this kind of performance?

6. Damien initially shows a conventional morality based on the rule of law, but he eventually abandons his principles to help his family become fugitives. Have you ever felt caught between a deeply held belief and your loyalty to a loved one? How did you navigate that conflict?

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

1. What does the novel’s depiction of a “tiger kidnapping,” where an ordinary person is forced to commit a crime, suggest about the ways organized crime can exploit the vulnerabilities of everyday citizens? Does this feel like a realistic threat in today’s world?

2. The story is deeply critical of the justice system, from the sheriff’s immediate bias to the corruption within the Border Patrol. What commentary do you think the author is making about public trust in law enforcement and the legal process? How does this argument intersect with current conversation on the topic?

3. The dashcam footage and news reports quickly frame Simone and Lucy as violent criminals, influencing the public and the police. How does the novel explore the power of media to shape a narrative? Where have you seen similar situations play out in real-world events?

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

1. What is the effect of the chapters told from “The Kidnapper’s” perspective? How did the final reveal that Lucy was the narrator of these sections change your understanding of her character and her development?

2. In what ways does Caller Unknown align with or subvert the conventions of the domestic thriller genre, particularly when compared to a novel like Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects? While both explore secrets within a family, how does the central motivation of maternal protection here create a different kind of psychological tension?

3. The desert landscape is a backdrop for much of the novel’s action. How does this setting function as more than just a location, amplifying the tone and themes of the narrative?

4. Damien and Simone have fundamentally different ideas about how to respond to the kidnapping. How does the author use their conflict to explore ideas of morality and justice?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are a journalist who has just heard Michaela Wyatt’s full confession. What would be the headline of the news article you would help write to set the record straight and tell the Seaborns’ true story to the world?

2. If you were adapting Caller Unknown for the screen, what song would you choose to play during the final scene where Simone and Lucy find a moment of peace? What makes that piece of music a fitting emotional conclusion to their ordeal?

3. The novel is told primarily from Simone’s and Lucy’s points of view. Choose a key scene, such as the tense border crossing or the family’s reunion in Terlingua, and briefly describe how it might have been experienced from Damien’s perspective.