Jody Asher is an unreliable narrator, leading the reader to believe a version of reality that is far from the truth. At what moment in the book did you first realize Jody might not be who she seems? Martin Asher was the image of the perfect congressman, but, behind closed doors, he was keeping secrets from his family. Do you think Martin made his own bed and deserved what he got, or do you think he was a victim? Do you think Jody’s parenting style is coming from an honest place or is she too controlling? What drives her to be such a dominating force in Washington and why does the perfection of Charlotte’s wedding matter to Jody so much? How did you feel about Charlotte, her choice to marry JJ Dobbs, and her relationship with her mother? Mimi at first appears to be a refreshing perspective within the powerhouse cast of characters working inside American politics, but who is Mimi really and when did you begin to suspect she might betray the Ashers? Have you heard of the strategic “100 Year Plan” and, if so, how did Mimi’s coy friendship with the Ashers make you feel? Did she strike you more as a traitor to her country or as an unsung hero? In serving his country, how does Martin end up trapped between interests of the public and interests of the private sector, and how does this special interest influence Martin toward his ultimate demise? Does this aspect of the book accurately reflect the plight of representatives in Congress? Why or why not? Have you heard of the long-standing, unofficial tradition in American politics called “The Widow’s Mandate” where women are either elected or appointed to fill their late husband’s House or Senate seat? Sarah the intern had a surprising reveal. What did you think of her relationship to the Ashers and how did she unwittingly tip the scales of power in the story?

The Widow | Kaira Rouda

Jody Asher is an unreliable narrator, leading the reader to believe a version of reality that is far from the truth. At what moment in the book did you first realize Jody might not be who she seems?
Martin Asher was the image of the perfect congressman, but, behind closed doors, he was keeping secrets from his family. Do you think Martin made his own bed and deserved what he got, or do you think he was a victim?
Do you think Jody’s parenting style is coming from an honest place or is she too controlling? What drives her to be such a dominating force in Washington and why does the perfection of Charlotte’s wedding matter to Jody so much?
How did you feel about Charlotte, her choice to marry JJ Dobbs, and her relationship with her mother?
Mimi at first appears to be a refreshing perspective within the powerhouse cast of characters working inside American politics, but who is Mimi really and when did you begin to suspect she might betray the Ashers?
Have you heard of the strategic “100 Year Plan” and, if so, how did Mimi’s coy friendship with the Ashers make you feel? Did she strike you more as a traitor to her country or as an unsung hero?
In serving his country, how does Martin end up trapped between interests of the public and interests of the private sector, and how does this special interest influence Martin toward his ultimate demise? Does this aspect of the book accurately reflect the plight of representatives in Congress? Why or why not?
Have you heard of the long-standing, unofficial tradition in American politics called “The Widow’s Mandate” where women are either elected or appointed to fill their late husband’s House or Senate seat?
Sarah the intern had a surprising reveal. What did you think of her relationship to the Ashers and how did she unwittingly tip the scales of power in the story?