Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about the book’s interactive choose-your-own-path format? Did you find it engaging or frustrating? How does it compare to other interactive narratives you may have experienced, like the classic gamebooks it pays homage to or modern examples like Netflix’s Black Mirror: Bandersnatch?

2. Of the 22 possible endings, which storyline or conclusion did you find the most memorable? Was it one of the gruesome deaths, a darkly comedic twist, or an unambiguously happy ending?

3. Freida McFadden is known for her linear psychological thrillers, like The Housemaid, Ward D, and the Locked Door series. How did this experimental, branching narrative style affect the suspense and tension you typically expect from her work?

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

1. Sloan’s desperate financial situation forces her to ignore her instincts and take a risky job. Have you ever felt pressured by circumstances to make a choice that went against your better judgment?

2. The novel often punishes Sloan for acts of compassion, such as helping Jasper the hitchhiker. Has reading this book made you think differently about the relationship between kindness and self-preservation?

3. Have you ever had a strong intuition about a person that turned out to be completely wrong, like Sloan’s initial impressions of the monstrous but kind Robert or the seemingly harmless Jasper?

4. How did you respond to the chaotic outcomes of Sloan’s choices? Do you consider yourself someone who needs to feel in control? How do you cope when events get away from you?

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

1. The Adventurous Eaters Club is a group of wealthy elites who literally consume those from a lower socioeconomic class. What commentary do you think the novel is making about class divides, privilege, and the ways in which powerful people can exploit the vulnerable?

2. The Epilogue reveals that Jasper seeks personal vengeance for what he perceives as a failure of the legal system. How does his storyline explore the complex and often fraught relationship between legal justice and an individual’s personal sense of right and wrong?

3. The book taps into a recent revival of interactive fiction for adult audiences. Why do you think modern audiences are so drawn to stories that allow them to have a degree of control over the narrative?

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

1. Consider the work’s interactive format. To what extent does the order in which the reader follows various storylines impact the novel’s meaning? How might this fluidity in and of itself contribute to the text’s meaning?

2. Avery betrays her oldest friend for money to buy a loft. What does this mundane motivation for a monstrous act suggest about the nature of evil and betrayal in the story?

3. What is the effect of the novel’s dark humor and ironic endings, such as Blair killing Sloan with a selfie stick or Sloan finding peace as a ghost because she no longer has to pay rent? How does this tone interact with the thriller and horror elements?

4. Did you find Sloan to be a compelling protagonist? Considering that her actions are determined by the reader, how does the interactive format impact her character development across the various storylines?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you could give Sloan a “survival kit” before she leaves for the dinner party at the Wentworth Estate. Based on the various dangers she might face, what three items would you include in the kit, and why?

2. The Epilogue gives us Jasper’s perspective on events. If you were to write a similar epilogue for another character, like Avery or Robert, what would their final confession or reflection reveal?

3. If you had the chance to add a 23rd ending to the book, what final choice would lead to it? Describe what this new ending for Sloan would look like.