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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

1. In the prologue, a Secret Santa leaves a DNA-testing kit for Hannah and her family. Everyone has a different reaction and opinion about the gift. Discuss each character’s reaction and what it might say about them.

2. It’s clear as Hannah and Bruce are heading out to the weekend getaway with Mako, Liza, Cricket and her new boyfriend that there are already tensions and complicated dynamics at play between members of the group. What did you pick up on right away?

3. At first, Henry’s story seems to be unconnected to the crew that’s traveling to the remote cabin. Did you have early thoughts on who Henry might be and how he fits into the story? How did they evolve as the story unfolded?

4. There are shifting perspectives on the group gathering inside the cabin. We see them close up through Hannah’s eyes, from just outside the cabin through the point of view of a malicious stranger, and from an even farther distance through Bracken’s cameras. What do we learn from each perspective --- about the watchers and the watched?

5. At the dinner, Chef Jeff shares the dark history of the house the family is renting. How did you feel about the cabin before and after?

6. What did you make of the use of bone in the decor of the house? The statues upstairs, the chandeliers and the bone sculpture in the dining room?

7. Chef Jeff brings up the concept of “memento mori.” Were you familiar with this phrase? What does it mean to you? How does Hannah feel about it?

8. Hannah, her brother Mako and their longtime family friend Cricket have a complicated relationship. Discuss how each relates to the other. What role does each person play in the group?

9. Have you ever used a vacation rental service like the one in the book? What has your experience been? Do you know of any horror stories? Having now read this novel, will you think twice next time you plan to take a trip?

10. Do you know anyone who has taken a DNA test before and had surprising results? If you haven’t taken one, would you ever consider it? Why or why not?

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six
by Lisa Unger