Everyone Here Is Lying: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of child abuse, physical abuse, and ableism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Everyone Here Is Lying establishes its tone through William’s deception in the very first chapter. How effective did you find this opening in setting up the novel’s themes of secrecy and suburban darkness? Did it immediately engage you or did it take time to draw you into the story?

2. Shari Lapena employs the domestic thriller formula of exposing dark undercurrents in seemingly normal settings. How does this novel compare to her other works like The Couple Next Door or A Stranger in the House in terms of suspense building and plot twists? What elements seem to be Lapena’s signature style?

3. The novel ends with a cliffhanger, as Avery is asked to tell what really happened from the beginning. Did you find this ending satisfying or frustrating? How does this final twist compare to other domestic thrillers where children play pivotal roles, such as Emma Donoghue’s Room?

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

1. Avery’s fake abduction raises questions about the lengths people might go to punish those who have hurt them. When have you observed how the desire for justice can transform into a desire for revenge? What distinguishes these two motivations in your experience?

2. William justifies his abuse of Avery by comparing it to the worse abuse he suffered from his own father. What experiences have shaped your understanding of how behaviors and attitudes can be transmitted across generations? What factors might help break negative patterns?

3. Nora interprets Avery’s disappearance as divine punishment for her affair with William. How have you seen people make meaning out of difficult situations by attributing them to larger forces or consequences? What are the benefits and limitations of this kind of thinking?

4. The inhabitants of Stanhope quickly turn against each other once Avery disappears. What examples have you seen of how crisis can transform community dynamics? What determines whether people unite or divide under pressure?

5. Erin struggles with the societal pressure placed on mothers to control their children’s behavior. How have you observed the different expectations placed on mothers versus fathers in parenting roles? How do these expectations manifest in families and communities you know?

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

1. The novel portrays how quickly a community can turn on neurodivergent individuals like Adam during a crisis. What does this suggest about society’s treatment of those who do not fit conventional norms? How might communities better protect vulnerable individuals during times of fear and uncertainty?

2. The domestic thriller genre has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly stories about the dark secrets of suburban families. Why do you think readers are so fascinated by narratives that expose the hidden dysfunctions of seemingly perfect communities?

3. Multiple characters in the novel use religion and concepts of divine punishment to make sense of tragedy. How does the book portray the role of religious belief in how people process guilt, shame, and traumatic events? What parallels do you see in contemporary society?

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

1. Throughout the novel, Lapena uses shifting perspectives to reveal different characters’ secrets and motivations. How does this narrative technique affect the pacing of the story and your understanding of the characters? Which perspective did you find most compelling or revealing and why?

2. The tree house represents doubt and imaginary dangers. What other symbols or motifs did you notice in the novel, and how do they enhance the themes of deception and hidden truths?

3. Marion and Avery’s relationship forms a complex power dynamic where each believes they control the other. How does Lapena develop this dynamic throughout the novel, and what does it reveal about both characters’ psychology?

4. The novel presents Avery as both victim and manipulator. How does this portrayal challenge conventional depictions of children in thriller novels? Do you think Lapena succeeds in creating a believable child character with these complex motivations?

5. Lapena frequently uses dramatic irony, a technique where readers know information that characters do not. What were some key moments where this was particularly effective, and how did it build tension in the narrative?

6. The novel explores how people rationalize their morally questionable actions: William justifies hitting Avery, Al contemplates murder, and Marion plots revenge. How do these rationalizations contribute to the theme of self deception, and what do they suggest about human nature?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. How would the final televised interview with Avery unfold after her slip up about Marion double-crossing her? What consequences might follow for Avery and her family?

2. What backstory would you create for Marion that explains her obsession with William and her willingness to manipulate and harm a child? What experiences might have shaped her psychology and worldview?

3. Stanhope appears perfect on the surface but contains deep dysfunction underneath. What specific changes would make Stanhope a healthier community that addresses rather than conceals its problems?

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