The Hunting Party

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death, mental illness, and graphic violence.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What aspects of The Hunting Party did you find most compelling as a mystery novel?

2. Lucy Foley creates an atmosphere of isolation and dread in the Scottish Highlands setting. If you’ve read Foley’s The Guest List, how does her use of an isolated setting on a remote Irish island in that novel compare to the Scottish Highlands in this book?

3. Which character subverted your expectations the most by the end of the novel?

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

1. Can you think of a time when you’ve maintained a friendship primarily out of habit or shared history rather than genuine connection, like the friends in the novel?

2. Katie and Miranda’s friendship is defined by an imbalance of power that began in their childhood. How have your own early friendships evolved as you’ve grown?

3. Foley eventually reveals that Emma’s character is obsessed with Miranda. Where do you believe the boundary lies between admiration and dangerous obsession?

4. The novel explores the ways Foley’s characters present carefully curated versions of themselves to others. In what ways has this tendency affected your own relationships?

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

1. The novel suggests that Emma receives only four years in prison for Miranda’s murder because of the ways her well-spoken and meek demeanor influences the jury. What does this outcome suggest about bias in the justice system?

2. What commentary does Foley’s portrayal of wealthy Londoners vacationing at an exclusive resort provide about class dynamics in contemporary society?

3. Doug experiences PTSD from his military service throughout the novel. How does his character reflect societal attitudes toward veterans who’ve experienced trauma?

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

1. What insights do the novel’s multiple perspectives and timelines provide that a single narrative viewpoint would miss?

2. How does hunting work as both a literal activity and a metaphor throughout the novel?

3. The wilderness setting is more than just a backdrop in “The Hunting Party.” How does the natural environment influence the characters and plot development?

4. What hints does Foley include to foreshadow Emma’s true nature before the final revelation?

5. Katie’s unborn baby symbolizes hope and a future beyond toxic friendships. What other symbols in the story reinforce the theme of escaping the past to embrace the future?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were adapting The Hunting Party into a film, which actors would you cast for the key roles?

2. Create an alternative epilogue for the characters five years after the events at Loch Corrin.

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