Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your immediate reaction to the novel’s dual timeline, which alternates between 1999 and the terrifying dinner party of 2024? How did this structure shape your reading experience and your expectations for how the mystery would unfold?

2. The story is full of twists, from Dominic’s survival to Georgina’s ultimate confession. Which revelation shocked you the most, and why do you think it had such an impact on you? Looking back, were there any subtle clues you might have missed?

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

1. The 1999 flashbacks capture the high-pressure, ambitious atmosphere of a tech startup. Have you ever been part of a project or team with a similar “change the world” intensity? How did the group’s dynamic at Thornwood resonate with your own experiences of collaboration under pressure?

2. For 25 years, Will’s life is shaped by his mistaken belief that Sophie slept with Dominic. Think about a time when a simple misunderstanding colored your perception of a person or an event for a long time. How does Will’s story reflect the power of our own internal narratives?

3. The terrifying events of the night force Rohan to completely re-evaluate his obsession with wealth, deciding instead to prioritize his family. Has an experience in your own life ever prompted a similar, significant shift in your priorities or values?

4. Throughout the story, characters use tools like the Belbin test and the “Wasp Trap” to categorize each other. How do you feel about the use of personality tests to define people? Do you find them helpful for understanding yourself and others, or do you see potential dangers, as the novel suggests?

5. Sebastian Marlowe is presented as a charismatic but deeply manipulative mentor. In your view, what are the essential qualities of a good mentor, and how did Sebastian’s abuse of his authority challenge or confirm your ideas about the responsibilities that come with guiding others?

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

1.   Professor Marlowe exploits Dominic because he is obsessed with his research project. How do you think ethical systems moderate research and innovation in our current culture? Do you think appropriate cautions and guardrails are put in place when innovations emerge (for example, artificial intelligence)?

2. Theo and Georgina’s home security system, designed for ultimate control, becomes their prison. What does this plot point reveal about our society’s reliance on technology for safety? In what ways might our hyper-connected world create new kinds of vulnerability or isolation?

3. Georgina and Theo’s life is a carefully constructed facade of upper-class success that hides financial insecurity and dark secrets. What commentary do you think the author is making about social class and the pressure to perform success in today’s culture?

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

1. Consider the constant motif of surveillance and being watched, from Mia’s listening device to Callum’s research files. How did the author use this to build suspense and paranoia throughout the novel?

2. The Notting Hill house is filled with echoes of Thornwood, from the recreated sitting room to the painting over the fireplace. What is the significance of the characters being trapped in a space that is a deliberate reflection of their past? Can this novel be considered a “haunted house” story?

3. Discuss the symbolism of the cat, who is present with Mia and played a role in Olivia uncovering secrets within the house. How does the presence of an animal contribute to explorations of innocence, instincts, and secrets?

4. The final part of the novel shifts perspective to give us insight into Dominic, Mia, and Georgina. Why do you think the author saved these viewpoints for the end? How did hearing their sides of the story change your understanding of the events at Thornwood and the dinner party?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Design a new book cover for The Wasp Trap. Which symbol from the novel, like the secret passage, the evil-eye necklace, or the test itself, would you feature most prominently, and how would you style it to capture the book’s suspenseful tone?

2. Imagine a sequel that focuses on what happens to Mia after the Epilogue. Does she take the “Wasp Trap” test, and what might the results and their aftermath look like for her as she moves forward?