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Discussion Guide

The Woman Who Went Overboard

Agnes Andersson is an awkward middle-aged woman who desperately wants a husband. And what better place to find one than on a cruise along the coast of Norway? During the voyage Agnes meets her ideal man, a handsome Norwegian widower named Einar. The only problem is that Einar prefers Pamela--Agnes' new best friend.

When Pamela's body washes ashore almost a year later, her daughter visits Agnes to ask questions about the cruise. Their conversation becomes a cat-and-mouse game where Agnes bends the facts to avoid revealing the truth about Pamela's disappearance and death.

A psychological thriller set in the cozy atmosphere of a cruise ship, The Woman Who Went Overboard is a story of romantic obsession, and a haunting tale of how far one woman will go to get the man of her dreams.

These discussion questions were provided by the publisher, DartFrog Books.

Book club questions for The Woman Who Went Overboard by Florence Wetzel

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

How did your opinion of Agnes change as the story unfolded? Were there moments when you sympathized with her, or moments when you found her actions unsettling?

What do you think the novel is saying about appearances, both physical and emotional? How do first impressions mislead characters and readers alike?

What role does jealousy play in the story? How do different characters express jealousy, and what are the consequences?

In what ways is The Woman Who Went Overboard a story about self-deception? Which characters, if any, seem truly honest with themselves?

Wendy clearly has suspicions about her mother’s death when she visits Agnes and Einar. Should she have revealed her suspicions earlier or in a different way? How did her approach affect your view of her?

Agnes often speaks about fate and the idea of a “Grand Plan.” How do belief systems like this shape her actions and rationalizations? Do you think she truly believes in destiny, or is she justifying her behavior?

The cruise ship setting creates a unique atmosphere of intimacy and isolation. How does the ship serve as more than just a backdrop for the story?

There’s an old adage that states: “Beware of what you want. You just might get it.” How does that apply to Agnes and Einar by the end of the book?

The Woman Who Went Overboard Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the The Woman Who Went Overboard discussion questions