Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The opening scene in the police station, where Jodie is covered in blood but calmly offers housekeeping tips, sets a very specific tone. How did this introduction shape your expectations for her character and the story to follow? Did you find her to be a sympathetic character at the start, and how did that feeling change as the novel progressed?

2. Many popular domestic thrillers, like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl or Freida McFadden’s The Coworker. In what ways did Jodie’s perspective feel similar to or different from other unreliable narrators you’ve encountered in fiction?

3. What was your reaction to the final chapter, where Detective Bates destroys the evidence of Jodie’s first murder? Did this act of “private justice” feel like a fitting conclusion to the story, and what do you think it says about the novel’s ultimate message on justice and vengeance?

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

1. Jodie finds immense comfort and control in cooking and cleaning, using it as an anchor against her chaotic past. Can you relate to the idea of finding a “happy place” in a particular activity or routine, especially during times of stress?

2. Jodie’s mission is fueled by an intense love for her sister, Deborah. Think about a time you felt fiercely protective of a loved one. How does her extreme commitment to avenging her sister resonate with your own understanding of family loyalty?

3. Both Jodie and Veronica (as Erin) create entirely false personas to achieve their goals. How skilled do you think you are at seeing past the “facade” people present to the world? Have you ever been completely surprised when someone’s private self was revealed to be different from their public image?

4. When Mikey lies in court, he makes a choice based on his personal sense of morality rather than the strict letter of the law. Have you ever felt that the “right” thing to do wasn’t necessarily the “legal” thing to do?

5. Roy Davies uses his professional reputation as a psychologist to manipulate everyone around him. Think about the public figures or experts you trust. How does this story make you think about the difference between a person’s public authority and their private character?

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

1. The narrative engages with the modern “tradwife” movement, where women find fulfillment in traditional domestic roles. How does Jodie’s performance as the perfect housewife serve as a commentary on this cultural trend? Does the book seem to criticize or embrace this lifestyle?

2. Why do you think “popcorn domestic thrillers” that expose the dark side of marriage and suburbia are so popular right now? What does the appeal of stories like The Housewife say about our contemporary anxieties or interests?

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

1. How does Barelli use the gradual reveal of Jodie’s past, including her prison sentence and the murder of her parents, to manipulate your allegiance as a reader? At what point, if any, did you stop rooting for her?

2. The novel uses recurring symbols like the tiny decorative soaps and the rifle to represent conflicting ideas. In what ways do these objects highlight the tension between Jodie’s goals and the means she uses to achieve them?

3. The Housewife subverts the Gothic tradition established by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. How does Barelli update the roles of the haunted second wife and the menacing housekeeper for a modern thriller? In what ways is Jodie the complete opposite of the timid narrator in Rebecca?

4. How does the theme of The Corrosive Nature of Vengeance play out in Jodie’s journey? Do you believe her quest for justice for Deborah ultimately honors her sister’s memory, or does it transform Jodie into the very type of monster she was hunting?

5. The story is built on a series of shocking twists, from Erin’s true identity to the reveal that Marie was the killer. Which twist did you find most effective or surprising, and how did it change your understanding of the plot?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were casting a film adaptation of The Housewife, which actors would you choose for the roles of Jodie, Roy, and Marie? What qualities would you look for in each actor to bring these complex characters to life?

2. The book ends with Jodie running a successful catering business with Dolores. Imagine it’s five years after the trial. What does Jodie’s life look like now? Does she ever feel guilt, or has she truly found the peace she fought for?

3. If you could write a final monologue from the perspective of one of the deceased characters (Deborah, Marie, or Veronica), what would they say? What truths or feelings would they want to share about their final days and the people in their lives?