Local Woman Missing

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your overall impressions of Local Woman Missing? Discuss what you liked most and least about the novel.
• Compare this novel to others by Mary Kubica, such as The Good Girl (2014), The Other Mrs. (2020), and Just the Nicest Couple (2023) and/or to similar novels by other authors in the domestic/suspense thriller genre.

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Local Woman Missing contains many plot points likely to evoke strong emotional responses since the characters often act in irresponsible or criminal ways. Reflect on any part of the book that evoked a particularly strong response.
• Consider the book’s themes (Freedom Versus Captivity, The Lingering Effects of Trauma, and The Oppressive Urban Environment). How do they relate to your personal views or experiences?
• The novel explores strain in several different types of relationships (friendships, love relationships, and work relationships). Based on your views, observations, and experiences, how believable were these depictions?
• Explore connections between your life and the experiences of the characters.

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Analyze how Local Woman Missing reflects or comments on current societal issues (for instance marriage, childbirth, or parenting).
• Explore how the novel’s themes (Freedom Versus Captivity, The Lingering Effects of Trauma, and The Oppressive Urban Environment) resonate with today’s world.

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• The novel uses a nonchronological structure and multiple points of view. In addition, it contains many plot twists that create misdirection. What impact did these three aspects of the novel have on the story? For example, did they effectively help build suspense? Discuss each of these structural aspects separately and their combined effects.
• Discuss the development and relatability of Meredith, Kate, Leo, Josh, Carly, and the Hanaka and Tebow families.
• Explore the significance of the Chicago suburban setting and its contribution to the book’s tone.
• Discuss the novel’s use of symbols and motifs (Secrets, Driving, Construction Workers, Childbirth, and any others you identified). What do they symbolize? Do they connect to particular characters or themes?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you were charged with adapting Local Woman Missing into a movie, series, or play, which would you choose and why? Who would you cast in the lead roles? How might you approach scripting, set or production design, scoring, directing, and other aspects of the project?
• Create a playlist that captures the mood or themes of the novel. Alternatively, assemble a playlist from selections representing different characters.
• Imagine a sequel or continuation of the story. Where do you think the characters would go next? What lessons have they learned that affect their subsequent trajectories?

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