The Hunting Wives

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Do you typically read psychological thrillers? If so, how does The Hunting Wives compare to other novels from this genre? What conventions does the novel embrace, and which ones does it challenge?

2. The novel’s Texas setting plays an important role in developing the tone and introducing the key themes. How did the novel’s physical locations affect your understanding of the unspoken social rules surrounding the novel’s key events?

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

1. Sophie keeps many secrets from her husband throughout the novel. Have you ever found it hard to share information about yourself or your past with your partner? Why was it so difficult to be fully honest?

2. Sophie struggles to find contentment in her mundane, conventional life. Has there ever been a period in your life during which you struggled to feel content? What factors led to your restlessness?

3. Jill is driven to violent action because she believes that she is protecting her son and safeguarding his future. If you have children, did you find her motivations to be relatable in any way? Can you think of other ways in which she could have protected Brad?

4. Sophie becomes obsessed with being part of Margot’s clique. Have you ever wanted to become part of a specific social circle or group? What aspects of this crowd attracted you, and how much of the group’s allure was illusory?

5. The novel’s conclusion leaves the outcome of Sophie’s marriage undetermined. If you were Graham, would you forgive Sophie for her actions? Why or why not?

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

1. The novel depicts a group of women who live in a fairly conservative, religious town. How do these social and cultural factors affect the women’s pressures to conform to the specific roles of married life and motherhood? Why do Margot and her friends need to “let off steam”?

2. Discuss the role of social media in the novel and in contemporary culture. How does social media feed Sophie’s sense of dissatisfaction and make it harder for people in general to feel content with the lives they have?

3. Margot is notorious for engaging in sexual relationships with young men. Although these relationships are technically legal, given the age of consent in Texas, did you find them to be ethically justifiable? Why or why not? How do these relationships compare to social views of a man who pursues relationships with much younger women?

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

1. The novel utilizes Sophie’s first-person narration to create a deliberately skewed version of the story’s objective events. How did this narrative choice impact your reading experience? How would a third-person omniscient approach have changed the narrative?

2. Discuss Graham’s role and character traits. Did you find his traits and actions to be believable? Why or why not? What are his motivations for initially encouraging Sophie to pursue a friendship with Margot?

3. How does Cobb build suspense throughout the novel? Were you surprised by the climax and the reveal that Jill killed both Abby and Margot?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine a version of this story told from Erin’s perspective. What would she notice about Sophie’s behavior? Would she be sympathetic to Sophie’s actions?

2. Create a playlist that captures the mood or themes of the book. Consider themes of illicit desire, attempts to resist temptation, and the pressure of keeping secrets.