The Note

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. While the events of the novel may be exaggerated, how accurate are Alafair Burke’s portrayals of the friends’ reunion and fraught dynamics?

2. Compare and contrast this novel with other texts by Alafair Burke, such as Dead Connection (2007) or The Other Sister (2019). What themes and philosophies remain constant in both texts?

3. How does the premise of The Note compare other popular psychological thrillers such as Gone Girl and The Silent Patient?

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

1. May considers how her personality has changed as a result of the pandemic. What are your own memories of this unprecedented event? Did your experiences echo or differ from May’s?

2. Are Kelsey’s and Lauren’s reasons for not wanting to call the police realistic? Why or why not?

3. Have you ever been in a situation similar to May’s when she realizes that she misidentified the person who harassed her on the subway platform? How did you apologize or try to rectify the situation?