The Obsession

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Roberts builds The Obsession around the premise that a serial killer’s daughter must confront both her past and a copycat stalker. How effectively does this high-concept plot deliver on its promise of exploring inherited trauma and the inescapability of family legacy?

2. The novel balances romantic suspense with deeper psychological themes about identity and healing. Which elements of the story resonated most strongly with you as a reader?

3. Considering Roberts’s extensive catalog of romantic suspense novels, including works like Northern Lights and Angels Fall, how does The Obsession compare in terms of character development and thematic depth?

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

1. Naomi and Mason develop completely different strategies for coping with their shared trauma—she runs from the past, while he studies it professionally. What approach would you gravitate toward if faced with a similar family revelation?

2. The novel explores the weight of family secrets and their power to shape relationships across generations. What hidden family information changed your understanding of your own history or identity?

3. Naomi’s decision to buy the dilapidated house represents her first real attempt at putting down roots after years of constant movement. What factors would influence your choice between maintaining mobility and committing to a permanent home?

4. Trust becomes a central challenge for Naomi, as she struggles to believe that someone can know her history and still choose to love her. How do you think past experiences shape our capacity to be vulnerable with others?

5. Photography serves as Naomi’s primary means of processing her world and asserting control over her narrative. What creative outlets or practices help you make sense of difficult experiences?

6. The Sunrise Cove community ultimately embraces Naomi despite her notorious background, with friends like Jenny and Kevin offering unconditional support. How important is community acceptance in your own sense of belonging and identity?

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

1. The novel critiques society’s fascination with true crime, particularly through Simon Vance’s exploitation of the Bowes family tragedy and the subsequent film adaptation. How does this fictional scenario reflect real-world concerns about the ethics of true-crime entertainment?

2. Roberts explores the concept of “secondary trauma” experienced by perpetrators’ families, who often face public scrutiny and suspicion despite being victims themselves. What responsibility does society have to protect the privacy and dignity of criminals’ relatives?

3. Anson Chaffins uses Naomi’s online photography presence to stalk her across multiple states, highlighting how digital footprints can be weaponized. In what ways does this illuminate contemporary concerns about privacy and safety in our connected world?

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

1. The root cellar functions as one of the novel’s central symbols, representing both the hidden evil beneath ordinary surfaces and the birthplace of Naomi’s moral courage. How does Roberts use this underground space to explore themes of concealment and revelation throughout the narrative?

2. Roberts employs photography as both a literal profession and a metaphorical framework for Naomi’s journey toward agency. In what ways does the camera serve as a tool of empowerment and exploitation in the story?

3. The dilapidated house on the bluff undergoes an extensive renovation that parallels Naomi’s psychological healing process. How does Roberts use the physical transformation of this space to mirror her protagonist’s internal development?

4. Throughout the novel, Roberts contrasts scenes of luminous domesticity with moments of lurking darkness. What does this interplay of light and shadow reveal about the coexistence of beauty and trauma in human experience?

5. Naomi’s character arc moves from a woman defined by her father’s crimes to someone who actively shapes her own destiny. What specific moments or decisions mark the most significant turning points in this transformation?

6. The revelation that Anson has been stalking Naomi for years recontextualizes earlier events in the novel. How does Roberts structure this disclosure to maintain suspense while providing psychological insight into the antagonist’s motivations?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were hired to renovate part of Naomi’s house on the bluff, what specific rooms or features would you prioritize to create a space that honors both her need for security and her artistic vision?

2. Imagine curating a photography exhibition featuring Naomi’s work from before and after her move to Sunrise Cove. What themes or emotional progressions would you highlight to tell the story of her transformation?

3. Consider an alternative ending where Naomi decides to leave Sunrise Cove after discovering the stalker’s connection to her photography. How might this choice affect her relationship with Xander and her journey toward healing?