Beneath the Surface - by Kaira Rouda

Book Club Discussion Questions for Beneath the Surface

Note: contains major spoilers!

  1. The Kingsleys are a privileged family who value control over connection. How do you think Richard’s domineering business style contributed to his intensity  as an authority figure and father?
  2. Do you think Richard Kingsley cares more for his business, his legacy, or his family? And in what order?
  3. Ted Kingsley is the golden child of the Kinglsey clan, but that all changes when he gets caught betraying not just his wife, Paige, but Richard himself. What did you suspect Ted was hiding beneath the surface all along and how did you feel about the final reveal?
  4. John Kingsley is the company fixer who takes care of all the Kingsely dirty work. This job is all he’s ever known and it’s how he proves his worth to his father. As much as he tries to separate himself from what he’s done, being a killer is in his blood. How do you feel about the lengths John went to for Richard’s approval?
  5. Did you think Paige was the right choice to take over the company? If so, why? If not, who would have been your top choice for Richard’s succession?
  6. Sibley appears on the yacht as an agent of chaos, bringing aboard her boyfriend who challenges the notion of wealth and privilege.
  7. Serena married Richard for his money. How did you feel about their relationship in the story? Do you empathize more with Serena or with Richard by the end?
  8. What did you think about Rachel’s plan to blackmail Richard and were you surprised by the depths of the Kingsley corruption?
  9. Ted and John have been pitted against each other, vying for their father’s love and respect their entire lives, but Richard has a big ego and a narcissistic outlook. What did you think about the brothers and their futile pursuit?
  10. Paige is the most grounded Kingsley aboard the Splendid Seas. How do you think she will turn this sinking ship around as President of the Kingsley empire?
The Widow - Kaira Rouda

Book Club Discussion Questions for The Widow

Note: contains major spoilers!

  1. 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?
  2. 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?
  3. 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?
  4. How did you feel about Charlotte, her choice to marry JJ Dobbs, and her relationship with her mother?
  5. 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?
  6. 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?
  7. 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?
  8. 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?
  9. 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?
Somebody's Home - Kaira Rouda

Book Club Discussion Questions for Somebody’s Home

Note: contains major spoilers!

  1. Julie Jones left her husband in an effort to find herself and her own independence. Do you think she was naive to believe she could be on her own after so many years living in an unhealthy relationship?
  2. As she ran away from Roger, Julie ran home to herself. How do you feel about her choice to keep her Jewish heritage a secret from her daughter, Jess?
  3. How did you feel about Jess’ resistance to move into the new house on Cherry Hill Lane? What do you think this says about Jess’ struggle with entitlement and what does Cherry Hill Lane represent for Julie?
  4. Tom Dean has a bitter hatred for his father and turns to dangerous hate groups for validation. When did you begin to realize Tom might be planning to do something terrible to Pastor Doug and his followers?
  5. Julie and Sandi each lost themselves in a marriage that denied them their own dignity and self-respect. As mothers, how does this difficult decision to leave an abusive situation affect their children and do you think the kids are better off?
  6. For Julie and Sandi, staying in loveless marriages where they were treated as objects to be admired, made each woman feel like less than a person. Do you think the risk of staying outweighed the risk of leaving, for each woman, especially when it came to their children? Why or why not?
  7. How did you feel about Jess’ decision to get close to Tom? Was she right to put herself at risk in an effort to help others?
  8. Pastor Doug treated others poorly to soothe his own fractured ego. How does this belief system end up impacting Oceanside as they are forced to reckon with a threat of rising hate groups in their own community?
  9. The threat of hate groups like neo-fascism threaten the safety of communities all over the world. What statement do you think the author is making when Jess Jones gets caught up in neo-natzism even though her ancestors are Jewish?
  10. Why do you think the adults let Tom stay in the backhouse and what does this say about society’s common desire to avoid conflict, specifically when doing nothing jeopardizes the safety of others?
The Next Wife - Kaira Rouda

Book Club Discussion Questions for The Next Wife

Note: contains major spoilers!

  1. The book is split between three perspectives – Kate, Tish, and Ashlyn Nelson. Each woman was abandoned by John Nelson in some way, but who do you think has the most to lose from John’s death and who has the most to gain?
  2. Kate decides to keep working with John even after he leaves her for his assistant, Tish. Do you think Kate’s calculated decision to carry on with business as usual helped her achieve her cold blooded revenge in the end? And did you enjoy Kate’s boldness in stepping into her power? She did create EventCo.
  3. It was clear to the reader how Kate felt about having Tish employed at the company before and especially in the wake of John’s death. Can you empathize with Tish’s reluctance to give up her career even if her presence undermined Kate’s pride?
  4. How did you feel about Ashlyn’s relationship with Tish? Why do you think Ashlyn looked up to Tish, and, when did she begin to resent her?
  5. Ashlyn lost her father at a pivotal time in her young life. How do you think Ashlyn’s grief manifested in her final act of pushing Tish down the stairs?
  6. Tish relied on her so-called Uncle George to help her become Co-CEO of EventCo, but, in the end, he double crossed her. What do you think about their relationship and Uncle George’s decision to abandon Tish to her own downfall in the end?
  7. As a narcissist, Tish slowly becomes unapologetically self-centered and destructive. Despite her negative depictions, were there areas of the book when you found you could empathize with Tish? Why or why not?
  8. What did you think about Kate’s decision to buy her own company’s stock through shell companies to keep the investors appeased during the IPO?
  9. How does Chief Briggs play a key role in empowering Kate to maintain her public image and personal success?
  10. At the beginning of the book, Kate Nelson wants you to believe she is at the top of her game, despite recent embarrassments in her personal life. At what point did you begin to suspect Kate might have been responsible for John’s death?