The Breakdown’s chapters each represent a single day. How does this structure benefit or detract from the narrative arc and the reading experience? How does the concept of time play into the book’s plot and themes?

Compare and contrast Matthew and Rachel, the novel’s two antagonists. Consider what character conventions for antagonists they reinforce or defy, their motivations, and their relationships to each other and to Cass.

Discuss how The Breakdown compares to other psychological thrillers, mysteries, or crime novels. Does it rely on any genre conventions, clichés, or archetypes? Does it upend any? What social and literary trends at the time of the book’s publication might have influenced the story or writing techniques?