The Witch Book Club Questions
10 discussion questions for The Witch by Freida McFadden.
October 18, 2026
Spoiler warning: some questions touch on how the book ends. Best read after you've finished it.
Discussion questions
- What were your initial impressions of Julia Barlow, and did they change as the story progressed?
- How did the setting of Pemberton estate contribute to the overall atmosphere of the book?
- What role did Julia's grandmother play in unraveling the secrets of the house?
- Do you think Julia was right to investigate the mysterious occurrences at Pemberton, or should she have kept her distance?
- How did the recurring event of the grandfather clock stopping at 3:41 a.m. enhance the tension in the story?
- Were you surprised by the revelations about the woman executed for witchcraft in 1692? Why or why not?
- How did the author use the motif of voices to convey the theme of buried secrets?
- What impact did the story's timeline and pacing have on your engagement with the narrative?
- Have you ever uncovered a family secret that changed your perception of your own family history?
- Did you find the ending satisfying, or were there aspects you wished had been resolved differently?
These questions were drafted with AI help for book clubs using Lapwing.
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