51 Book Club Questions and Snack ideas for Intruder by Freida McFadden

Discussion Guide for The Intruder by Freida McFadden: Book Club Questions, Themes, and Activities

Freida McFadden’s The Intruder is a twisty psychological thriller about a woman alone in a cabin and the unexpected visitor who changes everything. If your book club wants a good thriller that feels eerie and disturbing, the kind that makes you feel uneasy like someone is watching you, this one is a great pick for 2025.
To make your Intruder book club chat more engaging, I’ve put together discussion questions, theme ideas, and book club activity options..

The questions cover a wide range of topics, including:

Why They Acted That Way – how Casey’s past influenced her choices, and why the stranger pushes things so far.
What This Book Is Really About – danger, trust, lies, and what “safe” even means anymore.
How The Story Keeps You On Edge – the weird twists and how the storm pushes everything to the limit.
How The Setting Feels – the cabin, the weather, the darkness, and why it adds so much fear.
Open Floor Talk – the isolation, the anger, the forgiveness, and what you think you would do if you were in Casey’s shoes.

This guide will help start good conversations, focus on the big topics, and make your book club feel more engaging and fun.

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The Intruder by Freida McFadden Blub

Who knows what the storm will blow in…

Casey’s cabin in the wilderness is not built for a hurricane. Her roof shakes, the lights flicker, and the tree outside her front door sways ominously in the wind. But she’s a lot more worried about the girl she discovers lurking outside her kitchen window.

She’s young. She’s alone. And she’s covered in blood.

The girl won’t explain where she came from or loosen her grip on the knife in her right hand. And when Casey makes a disturbing discovery in the middle of the night, things take a turn for the worse.

The girl has a dark secret. One she’ll kill to keep. And if Casey gets too close to the truth, she may not live to see the morning.

In this taut, deadly tale of survival and desperation, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden explores how far one girl will go to save herself.

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51 Book Club Questions For The Intruder by Freida McFadden

What was your gut reaction to Casey when she opened that door? Would you have let that girl in?

Do you think Casey helped her more out of kindness or because she was scared of her?

How much do you think Casey’s past shaped the way she handled everything that night?

That knife scene : did you read it as survival mode or was the girl being manipulative?

Did you ever actually feel bad for the girl, or did you never trust her at all?

Was Casey being brave or just plain foolish for the choices she made?

How much do you think being all alone in the woods messed with Casey’s head?

Do you think the girl ever truly trusted Casey, even for a second?

What did you learn about Casey later that completely changed how you saw her?

If it were you stuck in that cabin, how would you have handled it differently?

Did you notice how the storm kind of felt like it represented all the chaos between them?

Trauma plays a big role here , do you think it made them stronger or just more dangerous?

Was this more a story about survival or about trust breaking down?

What does the book say about keeping secrets ? Can they ever really stay buried?

Did you see any themes about family or motherhood tucked in there?

Who did you think was the real “villain,” or is that too simple for this story?

What does it say about safety when your own house doesn’t even feel safe?

How did you see the power shift between Casey and the girl throughout the night?

Do you think forgiveness was even possible here, or was it too far gone?

Did the storm make the cabin feel like a prison to you too?

How did the opening of the book set the tone for you?

Did the past/present back-and-forth work for you, or did it mess with the flow?

If you’ve read other Freida books, how was this writing different?

Did this one feel more like a psychological story than a straight thriller?

Was there a line or scene that you just can’t stop thinking about?

There are moments where being alone seems safer than being with someone. Do you think people deal with stress by pulling away or by holding tighter? Which path felt safer for Casey?

At what point were you the most creeped out?

Did you see the twist coming or were you blindsided?

What theories did you come up with that ended up totally wrong?

Did the way she dropped the reveals keep you flipping pages?

Were you satisfied with how it wrapped up, or did you want more?

Would you call this horror, thriller, or something in between?

Which scene had your heart racing the most?

Did the storm feel like another character in the story to you?

Cabin in the woods during a storm, is there anything creepier?

Did you feel claustrophobic reading about that storm trapping them inside?

Was it easy for you to picture the whole setting in your head like a movie?

If this were turned into a movie, what scene would make you cover your eyes?

Did it remind you more of Stephen King vibes, or still feel very Freida McFadden?

Were there times you wondered if what we saw was real or just paranoia?

Would this story have worked without the storm, or did the storm make it what it is?

How do you think isolation changes people? Did you see that with these characters?

Do you think Casey was trying to protect the girl, or just herself?

Could the girl ever have had a redemption arc, or nah?

Did their past traumas make you more forgiving of their choices?

If you could rewrite the ending, how would you do it?

Would the story have been as scary if it was set in a normal suburb instead of the woods?

What does this book make you think about trusting strangers , would you ever?

Do you think the title The Intruder fits the story?

Is this a good book club pick for the fall season, or would you have saved it for another time of year?

The Intruder by Freida McFadden Book Club Activity Ideas:

Truth or Lie Game: Everyone shares two “theories” they had while reading (one true, one false). The group guesses which one was real.

Character Hot Seat: Pick a character and have one person answer questions as if they are that character.

Alternate Ending Challenge: Break into pairs and write a quick new ending (scary, funny, or completely different). Share with the group.

Cover Redesign: Hand out a blank cover template and let everyone doodle or sketch what they think the book’s cover should look like.

Creepy Reading Circle: Dim the lights, play storm sounds, and take turns reading suspenseful passages aloud.

Who Do You Trust? Game: Hand out character names and have everyone vote if they would trust that person or not, then explain why.

Bookish Playlist: Each member suggests a song that fits the book’s vibe, then combine them into a playlist for the group.

Snack Ideas For The Intruder Book Club Meeting

Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

photo credit : Frozen Bananas

soft, sweet, and perfect to cut into small pieces. This one works great because people can nibble while they talk without making a mess. Check the recipe

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

photo credit : The Peasant’s Daughter

Light donuts with cozy fall flavor. Easy to hold in one hand so people can still flip through pages or hold their notes. Check the recipe

Gluten Free Pumpkin Scones

photo credit : Living Chirpy

These feel bakery style and special, and gluten free means more people at the table can eat them without worry. Check the recipe

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

photo credit : The Oregon Dietitian

Apple cider gives a clear fall taste that just feels right for a November or winter meeting. These make the whole room smell warm. Check the recipe

Pumpkin Cake Pops

photo credit : In The Kitchen

Small, cute, and fun to pass around. They also look great in a book club photo if you like to share your meeting online. Check the recipe

Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

photo credit : Food Plus Words

Rich and creamy but dairy free. This one shows you do not need heavy cream to make a dessert feel like a treat. Check the recipe

Roasted Garlic Butternut Hummus

photo credit : Get Inspired Everyday

A good savory option so the table is not all sweet. This one pairs well with crackers or veggies and gives a nice break between bites. Check the recipe

Books To Read After The Intruder by Freida McFadden

If you enjoyed the tense and chilling story of The Intruder, here are five more books that will keep you hooked with secrets, unexpected twists, and characters you’re never quite sure you can trust.
1. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

A domestic thriller about a couple who look perfect from the outside, but their marriage hides something terrifying. It’s fast, addictive, and makes you question how well we really know people close to us.

2. The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

This story follows two women—one who has it all and another who wants to take it. It’s full of manipulation, jealousy, and shocking reveals that make it impossible to stop reading. Check out : 26 Book Club Questions For The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

3. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

This is not a thriller but a powerful coming-of-age story. It follows a boy growing up in rural Appalachia, facing poverty, addiction, and tough family struggles. Like The Intruder, it goes into trauma, survival, and how your past shapes your choices. It’s a longer, deeper read, but just as gripping in its own way.

4. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena