DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1
From the beginning of the novel, it is apparent that Phoebe has a troubled relationship with her family, especially her father. How does that affect other aspects of her life, including her marriage? Discuss whether you think a relationship borne out of a desire to rebel against one’s home life can succeed.
2
What was your first impression of Phoebe? Did you find her a likable character? How did your initial opinion affect the rest of your reading experience?
3
Considering the state of Phoebe’s relationship with Wyatt, what did you think about her relationship with Jake? Did you understand it?
4
The Other Mrs. Miller explores the secrets that lurk behind closed doors. Were there any clues to those secrets hiding in plain sight as you read? Should any of the characters have foreseen the consequences of their actions?
5
Throughout the novel, Phoebe and Vicki have a close relationship as neighbors and as married women. How did you see this relationship affecting Phoebe’s choices and, later, her fate?
6
Many of the characters inhabit a moral gray area, which makes it difficult to decipher their motives. Discuss the different ways morality was manifested in the main characters. Was anyone completely innocent at the end?
7
In The Other Mrs. Miller, the big twist comes from a shift in perspective. What was your first reaction upon reading, and how did it affect your reading experience thereafter?
8
Had Vicki and Nadia been honest about their intentions earlier on, do you think the story would have turned out differently?
9
It quickly becomes clear that money is a fraught yet pivotal element in the book. How do the financial circumstances of the various characters dictate their actions and relationships? Do you see these patterns being true in the real world?
10
Nadia and Phoebe never meet in the novel. If they had met, what do you imagine their meeting and subsequent relationship would have been like?
11
Many of the characters’ appearances are deceptive. Discuss the ways in which your perception of them changed from the beginning to the end of the novel.
12
What did you think of the ending? What do you think is next for these characters?
“Maybe getting out of the house a few times a week to buy that ice cream and cab sav you love so much is your one opportunity to feel normal. Yes, I know what you buy. How I know them isn’t as alarming as you think. What is alarming is your level of consumption. You may need to tone it down a bit, actually.”
HOMEMADE RED WINE ICE CREAM INGREDIENTS 6 large egg yolks 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup cabernet sauvignon
DIRECTIONS In a heatproof bowl, mix the egg yolks. In a saucepan, combine the cream, milk, and sugar and bring to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk the hot cream into the eggs yolks; return the mixture to the saucepan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes; do not let the custard boil or it will curdle. Strain the custard into a bowl. Stir in the cabernet sauvignon. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 1 hour. Freeze in an ice-cream freezer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Cover and store in the freezer until ser ving time.