Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your reaction to the book’s conclusion? Did the series of reveals in the epilogues, particularly Veronica’s final confession, change your overall feelings about the story?

2. The novel blends the fast pace of a thriller with a sharp critique of influencer culture. How effective did you find this combination? Did one aspect of the story feel stronger or more compelling to you than the other?

3. Jo Piazza is known for exploring complex female relationships under pressure, as in her novel, We Are Not Like Them. How does the friendship between Lizzie and Rebecca compare to other portrayals of female friendship you’ve encountered in fiction?

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

1. Lizzie begins the novel obsessively scrolling through Rebecca’s Instagram feed, which fuels her own feelings of inadequacy. Have you ever found yourself comparing your own life to the curated versions you see on social media? How did this aspect of the story resonate with you?

2. Rebecca’s brand is built on erasing the “invisible labor” of her nanny, Kiki, to project an image of effortless motherhood. Have you ever had your work or contributions to a project go unrecognized? How did this make you feel?

3. When Lizzie discovers the truth about Rebecca’s abusive marriage, her role shifts from journalist to protector. What would you have done in her situation? Would you have pursued the story for your career, or would you have focused solely on helping your friend?

4. The 15-year estrangement between Rebecca and Lizzie turns out to have been the result of misunderstanding and confusion (as well as Grayson’s malicious interference). Have you ever experienced an interpersonal conflict that turned out to be rooted in misunderstanding? Were you able to correct it?

5. The MomBomb conference is depicted as a site of intense ambition, judgment, and competition disguised as community. Does this portrayal of professional networking events feel familiar to you?

6. Did the book change the way you think about the content you consume from influencers or other online “creators”?

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

1. The novel centers on the “tradwife” movement, which romanticizes traditional domestic roles for women. How does the story critique this subculture? Why do you think the tradwife movement has become popular amongst social media influencers?

2. What does the novel say about our society’s fascination with true crime? Think about how quickly Rebecca’s followers pivot from admiring her life to dissecting her as a potential murderer, and how Lizzie’s career is revitalized by writing a true-crime book.

3. Jo Piazza’s podcast, Under the Influence, investigates the monetization of children, or “sharenting.” How does the novel explore the ethical complexities of building a brand around one’s children, as Rebecca does with her six kids?

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

1. The narrative opens with a police interview that establishes Grayson’s murder and Rebecca’s disappearance before flashing back two weeks. How did this framing device shape your reading experience? Did knowing about Grayson’s violent demise make you analyze the early interactions between characters differently?

2. What significance does the desert setting have? How do isolated and rugged spaces depicted in the novel evoke a specific mood?

3. Olivia Jackson is described as the “puppet master.” Does she represent a form of radical female empowerment, or is she a cynical manipulator who ultimately profits from the system she claims to subvert? Is she a hero or a villain in this story?

4. The final chapters of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies also feature a group of women bound by a secret about a man’s death. How does the complicated alliance between Rebecca, Veronica, and Olivia compare to other stories about female solidarity born from violence and shared secrets?

5. Why do you think the author chose to reveal the final truth through three separate epilogues?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. At the end of the novel, Veronica and Olivia pitch Lizzie a new book idea investigating the sinister actions of Dr. Carmichael. What dark secrets do you imagine a book like that would uncover? What other characters might be involved in his conspiracy?

2. Imagine you are a producer adapting this novel for a television series. Which character’s perspective would you center the story on, and why? Would you reveal the twists in the same order as the book, or restructure the narrative for the screen?

3. What do you think happens to the friendship between Lizzie, Rebecca, and Veronica a year after the book ends? Does their alliance hold, or do the secrets and manipulations eventually tear them apart?