Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. T.J. Payne fuses the institutional paranoia of a conspiracy thriller with the graphic, visceral terror of body horror. How effective did you find this blend of genres in creating a sense of dread? Did one aspect, the psychological conspiracy or the physical violence, resonate with you more strongly?

2. How does this novel compare to other modern horror you’ve read, like Stephen King’s The Institute, Blake Crouch’s The Troop and Dark Matter, or even Payne’s other works, like In My Father’s Basement? Intercepts gained a lot of popularity through word-of-mouth in online communities. Does it live up to the hype of a breakout independent horror hit for you?

3. Did you find the novel’s epilogue, which reveals Joe’s new existence as the smiling Antenna “Happy,” to be a satisfying conclusion to his story?

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

1. The propaganda poster declaring “Do your job. Keep them safe” is a constant justification for Joe’s actions (25). He believes his morally questionable work is necessary to protect his family. Have you ever had to rationalize a difficult choice by focusing on a positive outcome?

2. What does the Antennas’ plea for any sensation, even excruciating pain, suggest to you about the human need for connection to the physical world? Have you ever had the experience of feeling like a strong connection, even if negative, is better than no connection at all?

3. Riley’s terror is amplified by the fact that her father initially dismisses her visions as stress-induced hallucinations. Have you ever had an experience that others could not see or verify? How did you confront the challenges of communicating the experience to others?

4. In the end, Riley is given pills to erase her memory of the trauma, effectively rewriting a part of her identity to save her from the pain. Have you ever had an experience you wish you could forget? What is the value of preserving difficult memories versus the appeal of being able to forget them entirely?

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

1. The novel draws heavily from the real-life history of the CIA’s Project MKUltra. How does grounding the novel’s speculative horror in real history make it a contributor to contemporary discussion about the ethics of government experimentation?

2. What commentary does the novel offer about the nature of faceless institutions like the Company, where bureaucracy and a focus on results, embodied by characters like Aguirre, are placed above all other considerations?

3. How does the novel’s use of psychic “intercepts” in a world of surveillance serve as a metaphor for modern concerns about privacy and mental autonomy?

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

1. The novel opens with a first-person prologue from an Antenna’s perspective before shifting to a third-person narrative focused on Joe and Riley. What effect did this structural choice have on your reading experience? How did it frame your understanding of Bishop’s motivations from the very beginning?

2. What is the significance of the recurring visuals of a smile, from Bishop’s unsettling grin to Joe’s final smile of “pure bliss,” throughout the novel?

3. How does the visceral, graphic body horror contribute to the novel’s treatment of the abstract threat of the Company and its psychic program?

4. Discuss Joe’s transformation from a morally compromised company man to a rogue agent and, finally, to Antenna-301. Does his character arc represent a tragic failure or a kind of paternal victory?

5. The prologue gives readers direct access to an Antenna’s consciousness, framing Bishop as a survivor of terrible trauma. How did this perspective shape your view of her as an antagonist throughout the story? Did you see her primarily as a monster, a righteous avenger, or something more complex?

6. The claustrophobic, underground Facility is a key element of the story. How does this setting contribute to the novel’s atmosphere of paranoia and control? Consider how it contrasts with Joe’s isolated, modern home?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you were to write a short scene from the perspective of Tyler Whitfield in the moments after the break room massacre, when the hallucination breaks. What would his internal thoughts and immediate reaction reveal about his character and the trauma of his actions?

2. The propaganda poster, which states, “Do your job. Keep them safe,” is a recurring image. Design a counter-propaganda poster from the perspective of someone who knows the truth about the Facility. What imagery and text would you use?