What Happened to the Bennetts

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of illness and death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What moment in What Happened to the Bennetts made the strongest impression on you? Was there a particular scene that changed your understanding of a character or the plot?

2. Scottoline’s thriller Look Again also explores a parent’s desperate measures to protect their child. If you’ve read it, what similarities or differences did you notice between Jason and the protagonists of that novel?

3. Did you find the novel’s premise of a family thrown into witness protection after a carjacking gone wrong believable? How did the rapid escalation from everyday suburban life to federal protection affect your engagement with the story?

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

1. Jason describes himself as a “scenic route kind of guy” (5) who plays it safe. Think about a time when you’ve had to abandon caution during a crisis. What catalyzed your transformation?

2. The Bennett family grieves differently—Jason through action, Lucinda through withdrawal, and Ethan through physical symptoms. How have you observed grief express itself uniquely within your own family or community?

3. Trust becomes a central issue as Jason navigates relationships with the FBI, criminal organizations, and even his wife. When have you had to reassess who deserved your trust during challenging times?

4. Lucinda struggles with her role as caretaker for both her mother with Alzheimer’s and her family. She compares the loss of Allison to having an arm amputated. Have you ever felt similarly torn between obligations to different family members?

5. Throughout the novel, Jason tries to maintain his role as the family’s “center.” In what ways does this responsibility both help and hurt him? Have you ever taken on a similar role during a family crisis?

6. Ethan’s attachment to Moonie provides him with emotional support throughout their ordeal. Has an animal ever played a similar role in helping you through trauma or significant life changes?

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

1. The novel suggests that the Witness Protection Program isn’t designed for law-abiding families with strong community ties. What does this reveal about how our justice system protects innocent bystanders caught in criminal investigations?

2. Scottoline incorporates the controversial history of Guantanamo Bay into her plot. Does fiction provide a valuable way to examine challenging historical events? How effectively does the novel address questions of accountability for military and government actions?

3. Social media dramatically complicates the Bennetts’ disappearance, with amateur detective Bryan Krieger investigating online. In what ways has technology changed how we think about privacy, anonymity, and law enforcement in the modern era?

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

1. The Delaware marsh setting creates constant unease for Jason, who draws strength from solid ground. How does this environment reflect the family’s emotional state throughout the novel?

2. Dom tells Jason, “You gotta get them through this” (116), suggesting Jason should prioritize his family’s needs over his own grief. What commentary does this offer about expectations of fathers during crises?

3. Jason’s decision to shave his head is a physical transformation that marks a psychological turning point. How does this moment represent his evolution from playing it safe to becoming a man of action?

4. The Great Blue Heron appears as a powerful symbol connected to Allison. What significance does this image hold for Jason? How does it contribute to the novel’s exploration of grief and spiritual connection?

5. Scottoline writes that Jason’s marriage to Lucinda was like “solid ground,” but their relationship fractures under pressure. What causes this breakdown? Do you believe their reconciliation at the novel’s end is convincing?

6. The ghost forest symbolizes trees that remain standing despite being dead inside. How does this metaphor illuminate the Bennett family’s emotional journey? What other symbols did you find particularly effective in the novel?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the text.

1. If you were adapting What Happened to the Bennetts for film or television, which scenes would you emphasize? What visual elements would you use to capture the novel’s themes of family, grief, and justice?

2. The Bennett family must quickly decide what essentials to pack before entering witness protection. If you had to disappear tomorrow with minimal belongings, what would you absolutely have to take with you?

3. Write a brief scene depicting a conversation between Jason and Allison that might take place if she could communicate with him one year after the novel’s conclusion. What unresolved issues might they address?

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