READERS GUIDE

1.      You Should Have Told Me examines the challenges of motherhood in the context of a thriller. Does the genre of the book change the way you think about Janie’s emotional journey?

2.      Compare and contrast the different portrayals of motherhood in the novel, particularly looking at Grace, Janie, and Brenda. What makes a “good” mother? Conversely, compare the different fathers in the book—what similarities and differences do you find between Carl and Max?

3.      How are the expectations of mothers and fathers different in our society? How do those expectations influence the events of You Should Have Told Me?

4.      Do you think that Max is a good partner? Were his decisions justified, and was Janie right to help him? Why or why not? Going further, how does their relationship change through the novel?

5.      How does Janie’s experience of past trauma and her associated guilt transform throughout the course of the novel? How do you think she will continue to heal after the end of the book?

6.      Do you think that the setting of the novel impacts the events in the book? Does Janie and Max’s relative isolation from friends and family change their decisions and actions?

7.      Several men in You Should Have Told Me appear to be “good,” but are revealed to have been violent towards women. How are their secrets uncovered, and what are the consequences? Take a specific look at Bryan, Carl, and Daniel.

8.      How does Janie’s own childhood influence her parenting style?

9.      Compare and contrasts Janie’s female friendships, particularly with Molly and Liana. What makes them good friends, and where are their blind spots?

10.   At the beginning of the read, who did you suspect had killed Grace? Did your suspicions change throughout the novel? Were you ultimately surprised by the ending?