The Unwedding

Ellery Wainwright is alone at the edge of the world.

She and her husband, Luke, were supposed to spend their twentieth wedding anniversary together at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California. Where better to celebrate a marriage, a family, and a life together than at one of the most stunning places on earth?

But now she's traveling solo.

To add insult to injury, there's a wedding at Broken Point scheduled during her stay. Ellery remembers how it felt to be on the cusp of everything new and wonderful, with a loved and certain future glimmering just ahead. Now, she isn't certain of anything except for her love for her kids and her growing realization that this place, though beautiful, is unsettling.

When Ellery discovers the body of the groom floating in the pool in the rain, she realizes that she is not the only one whose future is no longer guaranteed. Before the police can reach Broken Point, a mudslide takes out the road to the resort, leaving the guests trapped. When another guest dies, it's clear something horrible is brewing.

Everyone at Broken Point has a secret. And everyone has a shadow. Including Ellery.

1. Big Sur, California, sets the stage for this enticing mystery and provides a stunning landscape for our cast of characters to lose themselves in. In what ways was this setting an asset to the storytelling by providing more than a backdrop for the story to unfold?

2. A recurring theme that is explored throughout the narrative is that of grand loneliness. What is the story saying about these emotions and how are they explored through the various characters?

3. Ellery is going through a tremendous life change with the divorce from Luke, the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. In what ways does the story handle the topic of beginning again and starting a new chapter later in life? How does that impact the story and Ellery's growth as a character?

4. Ravi and Nina at first appear to be polar opposites to Ellery, as glamorous and carefree individuals who often indulge in the finer things life has to offer. How does their relationship evolve throughout the course of the novel? In what ways have they saved Ellery, both literally and figuratively?

5. Motherhood is a central topic of the novel and plays a big part in many of the characters' lives. Which iteration of motherhood felt most significant to your reading and how did it impact the overall narrative?

6. There are many different forms of relationships that play out in the narrative, including platonic, familial, and romantic. Which characters relationship felt the most consequential to the story?

7. The Unwedding is a nightmare scenario for a day that is meant to be joyous and filled with love. Describe a time that you went to a wedding that was less than ideal.

8. There is a clear class disparity between many of the characters throughout the story. For some luxury is easily accessible, for others this is the opportunity of a lifetime. In what ways does the novel address this issue of economic divide between the characters and how does it propel the story?

9. Ellery's past traumas resurface in the face of this new horror, but she is keen on discovering the truth behind Ben and Matt's deaths. In what way has this new experience allowed Ellery to face her fears and set her on the road towards healing?

10. The cards presented to the guests at Broken Point provide important details on the conditions of the day, and not just in terms of the weather. The quotations on the cards work as markers throughout the story. How did this help guide the narrative, and did these quotes set expectations for the story's progression?

"Ally Condie's adult debut THE UNWEDDING is a clever, witty, and fast-paced whodunit. I read it in one sitting and can't wait for the next."-Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of "I Will Find You"

"Mesmerizing! Equal parts a clever whodunit and compelling character's journey, The Unwedding will speak to anyone who's been there, done that, and had the vacation from hell thrown on top of it all. This Big Sur luxury resort closed-room mystery will stay with you well past the final page."-Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Dead bodies, brutal secrets and a fabulous view - The Unwedding is proof that Ally Condie knows exactly what we love and what we fear. Come take a wonderful rollercoaster of a trip, but don't expect much sleep."-Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author of "The Lightning Rod"

"A knife's-edge whodunit that's as much a thriller as it is an exquisite meditation on grief and loss."-Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of "Everything, Everything"

"A classic mystery for a modern world - I couldn't put it down!"-Ally Carter, New York Times bestselling author of "The Blonde Identity"

"An idyllic setting turns deadly in Ally Condie's smart and twisty debut adult thriller. With an isolated resort, a killer on the loose, and a cast of compelling characters, THE UNWEDDING kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. A clever and suspenseful mystery where everyone has something to hide."-Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of "The Only Survivors"

"Ally Condie's dazzling debut The Unwedding is a wild and mysterious suspense novel that will have you turning pages long into the night with the lights on! A lovely wedding is planned at a remote resort with a fresh, original and shady cast of characters. In the author's brilliant hands, the happy occasion can only lead to murder. Buckle up!" -Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of "The Good Left Undone"

"A gorgeous murder mystery that explores what it means to be human-the pain and the love."-Kirkus, Starred Review

"This is an engrossing story with an interesting take on grief and forgiveness, with pieces of art found at the resort adding a fun element. Edgar Award-winning YA author Condie's adult debut is an unpredictable locked-room mystery for Agatha Christie fans and all readers looking for an intelligent read."-Booklist

"Condie's first novel for adults is a juicy read that kept me guessing until the very last page. Ellery is a protagonist you'll feel deeply for, and the supporting characters are impressively and successively fleshed out. You'll also, if you're anything like me, appreciate the vivid descriptions of the beauty of Big Sur (which, coupled with the suspenseful plot, will call to mind another Witherspoon project, Big Little Lies). All in all? Great choice, Reese." -PureWow