The Change

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Change blends elements of a thriller, a supernatural fantasy, and social commentary. How did this mix of genres affect your reading experience?

2. Miller’s book fits into a trend of feminist thrillers like Emilia Hart’s Weyward. If you’ve read similar books, how does The Change compare in its approach to these themes?

3. What was your immediate reaction to the novel’s ending? What did the conclusion suggest to you about the nature of justice?

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

1. Jo channels her decades of suppressed frustration into her gym, creating a space for women to physically express their anger. Think about a time when you felt a strong emotion that needed an outlet. How did you find healthy ways to process your feelings?

2. The novel reframes menopause as a powerful new beginning for its protagonists. Has there been a transition in your life that you initially viewed as a loss but later saw as an opportunity for growth?

3. What did you think about the dynamic between Harriett, Jo, and Nessa? How does their alliance evolve, and what does it suggest about the power of female friendship?

4. Both Harriett and Jo experience being dismissed and underestimated in their careers. Have you ever been in a situation where your skills or voice were ignored? How did that experience shape your perspective or actions afterward?

5. How did you react to the character of Franklin Rees, a good person trying to work within a corrupt system? Have you ever felt caught between following the rules and doing what you felt was right?

6. Nessa’s psychic gift returns when her life grows quiet in her middle age. How does the novel explore the relationship between solitude and self-discovery?

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

1. How does the story of Culling Pointe and its powerful, predatory men reflect real-world scandals from the #MeToo era?

2. Menopause has long been a taboo topic. How effectively does the novel challenge this view?

3. The novel presents corruption on multiple levels. What does the story suggest about the various ways in which systemic abuse is enabled? Be sure to consider Chief Rocca and Claude Marchand in your response.

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

1. Each protagonist’s power is uniquely suited to her personality. How do these specific abilities deepen the author’s depictions of who they are and what they’ve endured?

2. What is the symbolic relationship between Harriett’s wild, untamed garden and the manicured, secretive fortress of Culling Pointe? How do these opposing settings represent the central conflict of the novel?

3. The novel features a range of male villains, from the brutish Spencer Harding and the corrupt John Rocca to the insidiously charming Leonard Shaw. What might the author be suggesting by presenting such a diverse spectrum of patriarchal toxicity?

4. Why do you think the author chose to include flashbacks for antagonists like Claude Marchand and Laverne Douglass? How did learning about their pasts affect your perception of their choices?

5. The ghosts of the murdered girls are a constant presence in the story, guiding Nessa and demanding justice. How do they function as more than just a supernatural plot device?

6. How does the novel explore the morality of vigilante justice? Do you feel the protagonists’ actions are justified? Why or why not?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are casting a film adaptation of The Change. Which of the three protagonists would be the most challenging to cast? What qualities would an actor need to capture that character’s unique persona?

2. If you could design an empowerment program inspired by the book, what would it focus on, and why?

3. The epilogue shows Harriett continuing her work as a vigilante. If you were to write the next chapter of her story, who would her next target be, and what punishment would she devise for them?