Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Let’s start with the big reveal at the end. How did Kate’s confession to Conor change your perception of her as a narrator and of the events you’d just read? Did you see the twist coming, and did you find the conclusion satisfying?

2. How did you feel about the novel’s use of an unreliable narrator? When did you first start to question Kate’s version of events, and did your sympathies shift between her and Phoebe throughout the story? How does this dynamic compare to other novels with similar narrative twists, like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl?

3. The novel blends psychological thriller elements with black comedy and social commentary. Which aspect of the story resonated most with you: the suspense of the revenge plot, the satirical observations about modern London life, or the darker emotional journey of the characters? Why?

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

1. Kate and Jack’s marriage is defined by a secret lexicon of nicknames and inside jokes. Think about the close relationships in your own life; what role does this kind of shared language play in building intimacy and a sense of a private world?

2. Phoebe uses real-life events as “raw material” for her art, an act that deeply violates Kate. Have you ever seen a piece of art, like a film or book, that felt uncomfortably close to a real person’s life? Where do you draw the line between artistic inspiration and unethical appropriation?

3. The story highlights a sense of “intergenerational dislike” fueled by economic differences. Have you ever felt or observed similar tensions between different generations in your workplace, family, or community? What do you think are the biggest sources of misunderstanding or resentment?

4. What are your own thoughts on smart home technology and digital privacy? Did this novel change how you think about the devices in your own home, knowing how easily the system was turned into a surveillance tool?

5. Conor’s initial revenge plot against Ambrose is presented as a clever prank, while Kate’s escalates into life ruining criminality. Have you ever tried to get back at someone for doing something harmless to you? What motivated your desire for retribution? How does that inform your understanding of Conor and Kate’s motivations?

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

1. The novel is set against the backdrop of London’s property market and the wealth gap between baby boomers and millennials. How does this specific economic context shape the characters’ motivations and the central conflict? In what ways does this London-centric story reflect broader economic anxieties present in other parts of the world today?

2. What does the novel seem to be saying about the modern entertainment industry? Phoebe’s agent, Al, encourages her to lean into her show’s “amorality” for its marketability, suggesting that personal pain is a valuable commodity. Do you see this trend in the shows or movies you watch?

3. What critique is the author making about the justice system’s ability to handle digital crimes and sophisticated manipulation? The legal system in the novel fails to protect Phoebe from harassment and is later manipulated by Kate to convict an innocent man. Does the story suggest that “truth” is less important than who tells the more convincing story?

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

1. The narrative structure shifts between Kate’s first-person account, Phoebe’s perspective, and screenplay excerpts. How did these changes in form affect your reading experience and your understanding of the story’s “truth”?

2. At the novel’s start, Kate presents herself as a sophisticated, grieving widow involved in charity work. Was her transformation into a remorseless criminal believable to you? What early clues or personality traits hinted at her capacity for such cruelty?

3. Is Phoebe a villain, a victim, or something more complicated? How does her toxic relationship with her mother, Sarah, explain her motivations for creating Cheating, and how does it shape her actions throughout the book?

4. How do the different homes depicted in the novel reflect their inhabitants’ social status and emotional states? Consider everyone from Kate and Jack in their high-tech house to Sarah in her suffocating basement apartment.

5. What does the novel suggest about the roles of its male characters, like Jack and Tony? In a story so intensely focused on the conflict between two women, how do these men function as catalysts for Kate’s and Phoebe’s actions?

6. John Lanchester is also known for critiquing climate change in his novel The Wall. For those who have read his other work, how do you see his expertise in social commentary informing the plot and themes of Look What You Made Me Do?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Let’s imagine a sequel or a “where are they now” chapter. What do you think happens to Phoebe after the trial? Does she ever learn the full truth about what Kate did, and what might her future look like?

2. If you were to write a scene from the perspective of a minor character, such as Tony Mull, Daphne, or Tristan, how would the story change? Choose one of these characters and describe a key event from their point of view.

3. Phoebe’s show, Cheating, was a hit. If Kate were to create a show to tell her side of the story, what would she call it, and what would be its central message?