Get First Lie Wins book club questions for Reese Witherspoon’s book club pick here. This twisty book follows the suspenseful career of a young woman caught in a web of lies and deceptive identity. You’ll be fully prepared to explore these themes with your group. Print a PDF of the discussion questions to take with you as book club resources below as well!
In First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston, main character Evie Porter seems to have a perfect life, but it’s all a front for her con artist job. She goes by this alias as the employee of a mysterious man named Mr. Smith. Her job is to infiltrate the lives of people she’s assigned and extract information about them.
Things become complicated when she starts to fall for Ryan Sumner, the man she’s supposed to be fooling, and a meeting with his friends threatens her secret and her life.
Evie uncovers George’s betrayal as “Mr. Smith” and reveals Amy’s survival. With Devon’s help, they expose Mr. Smith and neutralize his influence over the Connollys. Evie reconnects with Ryan, and steps into her new role as “Miss Smith,” continuing the operations she once tried to escape.
First Lie Wins is a popular book club book that explores the theme of identity and how the main character, Evie Porter, can change her life each time she takes on a new identity. It also explores how identity can connect a person to their past.
Watch Alshey Elston discuss this book with Reader’s Digest’s book club on Youtube:
First Lie Wins Book Club Questions
Discuss the meaning of the title, First Lie Wins, particularly in the context of this quote: “There’s an old saying: The first lie wins. It’s not referring to the little white kind that tumble out with no thought; it refers to the big one. The one that changes the game. The one that is deliberate. The lie that sets the stage for everything that comes after it. And once the lie is told, it’s what most people believe to be true. The first lie has to be the strongest. The most important. The one that has to be told.”
The author, Ashley Elston, described Evie Porter as “morally gray.” How is this presented in the novel?
Reese Witherspoon described this book as “a cat & mouse game.” How is this presented in the novel?
Compare and contrast First Lie Wins to other con artist books you’ve read.
Compare and contrast First Lie Wins to other psychological thrillers you’ve read.
Compare and contrast First Lie Wins to other Reese’s book club books you’ve read.
Why did the author choose to begin the novel with Evie meeting Ryan’s friends?
Why did the author choose a Southern setting (Louisiana, Georgia, etc.)?
What attracts Evie to Ryan Sumner and why?
Was this job the only logical choice for Evie?
Discuss the motivations behind Evie’s actions throughout First Lie Wins.
Compare and contrast Evie and Ryan.
Discuss Evie’s past and how it affected her present.
Discuss the imposter Lucca Marino storyline.
Discuss the Amy Holder storyline.
Discuss the Andrew Marshall storyline.
Discuss Devon’s role in Evie’s life.
Why did the author use flashbacks and multiple timelines so heavily?
Discuss the significance of the origami swans.
Discuss the theme of identity in First Lie Wins.
What roles do truth and lies play in First Lie Wins?
Discuss the pacing of this suspenseful thriller.
Were you able to keep track of this complex plot?
Did you find any holes in the execution of such a detailed plot?
Did the identity of Evie’s boss, Mr. Smith, surprise you?
Compare and contrast Evie and Mr. Smith.
What did you think was in the deposit box?
Do you believe Ryan and Evie told each other the truth?
Did the ending of First Lie Wins surprise you?
What do you think Evie will do in the future?
Printable PDF Reading Guide of the Discussion Questions
FREE PRINTABLE BOOK CLUB GUIDE
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Book Club Ideas for Food and More
- Eat: deceptive foods and drinks that look one way but taste another
- Play: Two truths and a lie, puzzles, scavenger hunt/spy game
What to Read After First Lie Wins
If you loved these First Lie Wins book club questions, check out these twisty thriller books with lots of suspense:
- The Guest List Discussion Questions
- None of This Is True Discussion Questions
- The Last Thing He Told Me Discussion Questions
- Verity Discussion Questions
- Finlay Donovan Series by Elle Cosimano
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
