By Book Club Team 
The Guest List by Lucy Foley is a great choice for a book club! Its atmospheric setting, multiple narrators, and slow-burning suspense make it a compelling read that sparks plenty of discussion. Book club members can debate the motives of the characters, the twists in the plot, and the moral complexities surrounding the killer’s actions. The book’s themes of secrets, revenge, and appearances vs. reality also provide deeper layers to explore. Plus, its “whodunit” nature encourages lively speculation and analysis as members piece together clues. It’s a fun, engaging pick for mystery and thriller fans alike!
20 The Guest List Book Club Questions
Here are 20 engaging book club questions for The Guest List by Lucy Foley, perfect for sparking discussion:
General Questions
- What was your overall impression of The Guest List? Did you find it compelling?
- How did the remote island setting contribute to the story’s atmosphere and tension?
- Which character’s perspective did you find most interesting, and why?
- Were there any characters you sympathized with? Any you strongly disliked?
- How did the multiple-narrator format enhance or detract from your reading experience?
Plot and Structure
- Did you predict who the victim would be? How about the murderer?
- How did the slow unraveling of each character’s secrets affect your engagement with the story?
- Were there any red herrings or twists that surprised you?
- Did you find the pacing effective, or were there parts that felt too slow or rushed?
- How did the flashbacks to the characters’ pasts enrich the story?
Themes and Motifs
- How does the novel explore the theme of appearances versus reality?
- Revenge is a key motivator in the story—do you think it was justified in Aoife’s case?
- What role does guilt play in the decisions of characters like Johnno, Olivia, or Hannah?
- How do wealth, privilege, and power shape the events of the story, particularly Will’s actions?
- The title is The Guest List. Do you think the book highlights the idea of exclusivity and its consequences?
Characters
- What did you think of Jules as a protagonist? Were her actions and reactions believable?
- How does Olivia’s trauma shape her relationships with Jules and the other characters?
- Will’s charm masks his darker nature—did you find him to be a convincing villain?
- How do Aoife’s actions reflect the pain of unresolved grief and injustice?
- Which supporting character would you like to learn more about in a sequel or spin-off?
These questions cover a range of topics and encourage both personal interpretation and group debate, making your book club discussion lively and meaningful!
Book Club Tips for The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Set the Scene Inspired by the Book
Transform your book club space into the eerie, stormy island setting of The Guest List. Dim the lighting and use candles or fairy lights to mimic the moody atmosphere of the wedding. Scatter seashells or faux greenery to represent the rugged, wild beauty of the Irish coast. Include nods to the wedding theme with elegant touches like a chalkboard that reads “Welcome to the Wedding of Jules and Will” or place cards with your members’ names styled like a guest list.
For food, keep it thematic. Serve Irish-inspired treats like soda bread, smoked salmon, or tea sandwiches. You could also replicate wedding reception fare with mini hors d’oeuvres and sparkling wine. For drinks, try an Irish whiskey cocktail or create a signature drink inspired by the story—perhaps a dark, stormy mix called “Aoife’s Revenge.”
Start with Fun Icebreakers
Get the discussion rolling with fun, book-specific icebreakers. Ask, “If you were stuck on the island, which character would you trust the most (or least) to help you survive?” or “What’s the most dramatic wedding you’ve ever attended?” These questions can lead to lively personal anecdotes and help draw parallels to the dramatic events in The Guest List.
For a twist, have everyone predict who they thought the victim and the killer were before the reveal. It’s a great way to revisit the suspense and compare how everyone experienced the twists.
Dive into the Book’s Themes and Twists
Center your discussion on the novel’s key elements. Explore how the remote, storm-swept island added to the tension and whether the setting was essential to the story. Discuss each character’s secrets and how they shaped the suspense—did Olivia’s trauma or Johnno’s bitterness change your perception of the wedding? Was Will as charming as he appeared, or did his darker nature become obvious early on?
Talk about the ending: Was Aoife’s revenge justified? Did the big reveal about Will’s role in the hazing incident feel satisfying? Consider debating the moral complexities of Aoife’s actions and how they tied to the novel’s themes of justice, guilt, and privilege.
Interactive Activities to Bring the Book to Life
Add a creative flair to your book club by incorporating activities inspired by the story. For instance, host a mini murder mystery game: have attendees guess who the victim and killer are based on the clues scattered through the book. Alternatively, hold a character casting session where everyone pitches actors for Jules, Will, Aoife, and others in a hypothetical movie adaptation.
Another idea is to dive into the theme of weddings by sharing favorite (or least favorite!) fictional weddings and discussing how they compare to Jules and Will’s disastrous celebration.
Themed Food & Drinks with a Story Connection
Tie your refreshments directly to the book’s events and characters. For Jules’s refined taste, serve champagne or sparkling water alongside elegant canapés. For the rugged, windswept island vibe, add Irish touches like Guinness, Irish stew, or oat cookies. Create themed cocktails like “The Stormy Will” (a dark and brooding drink) or “Olivia’s Guilt” (something bittersweet).
Make it fun by tying snacks to the characters—perhaps a rich, indulgent dessert for Jules’s perfectionism or something salty for Johnno’s bitterness.
Wrap Up with Reflections
Conclude your meeting with book-specific reflections. Ask everyone to rate the book out of five stars and explain their rating. Explore personal takes on key questions, like: “Was Aoife’s plan satisfying or too extreme?” or “Which character’s story arc surprised you the most?” Discuss how the book handled themes like guilt, privilege, and the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
Before wrapping up, vote on your next book. If your group enjoyed the suspense and multiple-narrator style, you might consider Lucy Foley’s The Hunting Party or similar thrillers like Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. With these Guest List-inspired touches, your book club discussion will feel as immersive and engaging as the story itself.