Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Rachel Hawkins is known for writing thrillers like The Wife Upstairs, which feature dramatic settings and complicated female relationships. How does The Storm compare to her other novels? Alternatively, if you have not read her other works, what elements of her writing style caught your interest?

2. The central mystery unfolds through two timelines and two different hurricanes. Did you find this dual structure effective in building suspense throughout the novel? Why or why not?

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

1. Lo Bailey claims that in the South, people are more inclined to believe a compelling story than they are to accept the literal truth. Have you ever found this to be true in your own life or community?

2. Geneva Corliss feels trapped by the legacy of the Rosalie Inn, seeing it as both a duty and a burden. Have you ever felt a similar push and pull with a family legacy, tradition, or responsibility?

3. The friendship between Lo, Ellen Chambers Corliss, and Edie Vargas/Frieda Mason is fractured by betrayal and decades of secrets. Which character’s choices did you find most understandable, even if you didn’t agree with them?

4. Lo’s decision to tell her story is driven by a need to reclaim her narrative and earn money from her past scandal. What are your thoughts on the ethics of monetizing personal trauma or notoriety in this way? Have other prominent figures chosen this path in real life? What were the consequences?

5. Despite the danger, Beth-Anne Bailey insists on staying in St. Medard’s Bay simply because it’s her home. In your experience, what makes a place feel like home, even when remaining there presents certain challenges?

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

1. The novel’s structure mimics the modern true-crime genre. How does the book comment on society’s fascination with true crime and its potential to exploit or re-victimize individuals like Lo?

2. Lo’s narrative is heavily shaped by public perception. What does her story reveal about the societal standards to which young women have always been held in the public eye?

3. How do August Fletcher’s choices and actions illustrate the long-term impact of generational secrets?

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

1. The story is told through a collage of newspaper articles, letters, and manuscript excerpts. What effect did this fragmented narrative have on your understanding of the events and your ability to trust each character?

2. What do the recurring hurricanes represent beyond their role as a plot device?

3. Consider the parallels between Landon Fitzroy and his son, August. What similar traits of entitlement and obsession do they share, and why?

4. The Storm blends Southern Gothic traditions with the trappings of a modern true-crime thriller. What aspects of the novel reveal classic Gothic elements? How does the novel update that tradition?

5. How does the Rosalie Inn represent the family’s resilience and its hidden secrets?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine that you are a detective reviewing the “freak storm accident” that caused August’s death (261). What inconsistencies or questions might you have about the official story presented by Geneva and Lo?

2. The novel ends with the three “witches” united but with many challenges ahead. What do you envision for the future of the Rosalie Inn and the relationship between Geneva, Lo, and Edie a year later?

3. If you were to adapt this story into a film, which scenes would be the most critical in capturing the book’s Southern Gothic atmosphere and mounting suspense?