Look Closer

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your overall impressions of Look Closer? Discuss what you liked most and least about the novel.
• Compare this book to other crime thrillers by David Ellis and/or by other authors. (For more information about the genre, refer to the Background section of this guide.)

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• Look Closer examines the darker aspects of human nature. These characters, despite their apparent status in life, act with callous disregard for others, and greed motivates them to commit heinous crimes and perpetrate deception. Reflect on any part of the story that evoked a particularly strong emotional response.
• One of the book’s themes is The Deceptive Nature of Appearances. Discuss how this theme relates to your personal views or experiences.
• Explore connections between your life and the experiences of the characters. Did any of their experiences resonate with you?
• The perpetrators of many scams today have no previous relationship with their targets. However, in the novel, characters within the same social circles (who, as the novel gradually reveals, are aware of one another’s nefarious backgrounds and plans) engage in scamming one another, despite their status and wealth.