The Good Lie

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of sexual violence and/or harassment, mental illness, illness or death, graphic violence, substance use, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Good Lie reverses the typical crime thriller formula by revealing the killer’s identity at the start rather than the end. What impact did this structural choice have on your reading experience?

2. Which lie in the novel did you find most justified, and did you find yourself questioning your own moral compass while reading?

3. How does The Good Lie compare to other psychological thrillers by the same author, such as Every Last Secret? What elements feel familiar, and what aspects feel fresh?

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

1. Gwen struggles to balance patient confidentiality with preventing potential harm. When have you faced an ethical dilemma in your professional or personal life? How did you navigate this complicated situation?

2. What aspects of Robert’s grief and coping mechanisms resonated with your own experiences of processing loss?

3. The characters in the novel frequently rationalize morally questionable actions in pursuit of justice. Describe a time when you justified bending rules because you believed the outcome was right.

4. Gwen questions her effectiveness as a therapist after failing to prevent John from harming Brooke. Has a professional experience ever made you doubt your abilities? What helped you regain confidence?

5. Scott maintains loyalty to Brooke despite her role in his captivity, demonstrating a form of Stockholm syndrome. Where do you see similar psychological attachments to harmful situations in your life or the lives of people you know?

6. Many characters in the novel keep secrets that profoundly affect their relationships. What is your perspective on the role of secrets and transparency in building trust with others?

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

1. The Good Lie portrays certain mental health conditions as explanations for violent behavior. What responsibility do authors have in their fictional representations of mental illness?

2. The novel explores tensions between formal legal processes and vigilante justice. What social factors influence when people trust or distrust established legal systems?

3. In the novel, sexual assault allegations against Randall Thompson were disbelieved until they became convenient for other purposes. What systemic changes would help sexual assault survivors be taken more seriously when reporting crimes?

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

1. Torre uses multiple points of view throughout the novel, primarily focusing on Gwen but occasionally shifting to other characters. What information do these perspective shifts reveal? How do they enrich the narrative?

2. Puzzles appear as both literal objects and metaphors throughout the novel. How does this motif reflect the characters’ struggles? How do these literal and figurative puzzles play into the overall mystery?

3. The relationship between Gwen and Robert begins with attraction but develops amid professional boundaries and mutual suspicion. What does their complex dynamic suggest about trust and intimacy?

4. Why is alcohol a recurring symbol in the story? What meaning does it have in particular in scenes between Gwen and Robert?

5. The Good Lie presents various forms of justice sought by different characters. Which character’s approach to justice seems most justified within the moral framework of the novel?

6. The author deliberately withholds Robert’s thoughts through most of the novel. How does this narrative choice affect the reader’s understanding of his character and motivations?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to write an epilogue for The Good Lie set five years after the novel’s conclusion, what would have become of the main characters?

2. Imagine you are casting a film adaptation of The Good Lie. Which actors would portray the main roles of Gwen, Robert, Scott, and John, and what qualities make them suitable for these complex characters?

3. The novel explores the aftermath of trauma from multiple perspectives. Compare how trauma is portrayed in The Good Lie with depictions in other novels, movies, or series, such as Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects or The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

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