Stillhouse Lake

Did you like the book? Why or why not?

Did you like the way Stillhouse Lake focused, not on the serial killer, but on the repercussions to the family he left behind? How do you feel about the way the family was portrayed? Have you read any other books with a similar theme?

Gwen talks about Gina as if she was a different person. Do you think that is a reasonable response? Are there some events in life that are so life altering that it can culminate in a new person/personality?

The people on the Internet are especially virulent in their hatred of the Royal family. What is it about the Internet that makes people more belligerent/willing to express their hatred and threats?

Gwen is very careful when talking to her mother to not give a hint of where she and the kids are located. Do you think it is something Gwen needs to do or is she being paranoid? Why or why not? How hard do you think it is to keep that type of operational security up at all times?

Do you think Gwen/Gina's paranoia added to the suspense or took away from it?

How would your life change if you trusted no one?

Why do you think Gwen trusted Absalom even knowing that the people on the Internet were so hateful to her?

If you had a family member who committed a horrible crime, would you look it up to learn more about it? Do you think hiding the scope of the atrocities help or harm the younger member of the family? How old should a person be before they are told the truth? Is it realistic to think that teenagers would not do research on the crime away from home?

If you were in Gwen’s situation, what would you do to help protect your kids from judgmental people IRL (in real life) and on the internet?

Gwen keeps a large number of guns in the house. Is she being excessive? How do you feel about her decision?

What do you think about why Sam was in Stillhouse Lake? Is has reasoning believable?

Did you figure out who the killer was before it was revealed in the book? How did you know?

Were you satisfied with the ending of the story? If you could change it, what would you do to make it better?

One of the big complaints about this book is that it ends on a cliffhanger. Do you think that statement is true? Does the story resolve itself or are you left with questions?

Caine has written several other books and series. Will you read any of them?