What She Knew

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of child abuse, mental illness, and emotional abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The dual narrative alternates between Rachel’s raw emotional perspective and Jim’s detached professional approach to the nine-day investigation. What effect does this storytelling structure have on your understanding of the case? How does experiencing both viewpoints enhance your reading experience?

2. What struck you most about the bleak atmosphere Macmillan creates, where appearances consistently deceive and trust crumbles at every turn?

3. Missing child narratives appear frequently in contemporary fiction, from Tana French’s In the Woods to Emma Donoghue’s Room. How does What She Knew distinguish itself from other books in this genre? What aspects of Macmillan’s approach feel most unique to you?

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

1. How do you navigate decisions about balancing protection and independence when caring for children or loved ones? Rachel faces this exact dilemma when she lets Ben run ahead to the rope swing.

2. What would your reaction be if you discovered that fundamental aspects of your identity were built on well-intentioned lies, as Rachel learns about her family history?

3. The media’s portrayal of Rachel transforms public opinion against her based solely on her emotional presentation during the press conference. Have you ever witnessed situations where someone’s credibility was judged primarily on their appearance rather than facts? 

4. Jim suppresses his emotions to maintain professional competence, but this strategy ultimately leads to panic attacks and insomnia. When have you found that avoiding difficult feelings created more problems than addressing them directly? 

5. How do you think someone rebuilds trust after experiencing betrayal as profound as what Rachel and Ben endure?

6. Community opinion can shift dramatically when media coverage and online rumors spread misinformation about someone. Have you observed situations where public sentiment changed based on incomplete information? What role do you think social media plays in amplifying these dynamics?

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

1. The book portrays social media and blogs as vehicles for spreading misinformation and vigilante justice against Rachel in 2015. How does this depiction compare to the types of harassment we see in today’s digital landscape?

2. Rachel’s emotional instability casts suspicion on her, while Joanna’s polished appearance shields her from scrutiny. What does the novel reveal about how society judges mothers versus other authority figures?

3. The investigation exposes how easily children can be manipulated by trusted adults in positions of authority. How does this reflect broader conversations about institutional safeguarding and child protection in schools? What responsibility do institutions bear for thoroughly vetting those who work with children?

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

1. What role does the motif of Ben’s belongings play throughout the narrative, both as emotional anchors for Rachel and as actual clues in solving the case?

2. Macmillan intersperses police documents, therapy transcripts, and social media posts throughout the main narrative. What does this documentary approach add to your understanding of the characters and their psychological states?

3. The theme of appearance versus reality runs throughout the novel, from Rachel’s disheveled press conference to Joanna’s perfect teacher facade. Which character’s true nature surprised you most when it was finally revealed? If you’ve read other books in Macmillan’s Bristol detective series, like The Perfect Girl, how does this use of misdirection compare?

4. How does the shared symptom of insomnia illuminate the different psychological struggles that Rachel and Jim face throughout the investigation?

5. The novel’s title refers to Rachel’s hard-won trust in her own instincts by the novel’s end. How does her journey from self-doubt to conviction drive the resolution of the mystery?

6. Jim’s suppressed childhood memories about his father surface gradually in his therapy sessions with Dr. Manelli. How do these fragmented recollections parallel the way the truth emerges in the investigation? What does this suggest about the relationship between personal trauma and professional effectiveness?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Rachel apologizes to readers for the lack of catharsis in Ben’s recovery, noting that real trauma doesn’t resolve neatly. If you were to write an alternative ending that provided more closure, what elements would you include while maintaining the novel’s realistic tone?

2. What insights might emerge if you rewrote a key scene from Joanna’s perspective during Ben’s captivity, exploring her motivations and deteriorating mental state as she realizes she can’t control the situation?

3. Imagine you’re designing a support group for families affected by child abduction cases like the one featured in this novel. What specific resources and approaches would you recommend based on the different ways Rachel, John, and Ben cope with their trauma?