Author of the New York Times Notable Book The Boy Who Went Away—winner of the Rome Prize and the British Society of Authors’ McKitterick Prize—Eli Gottlieb returns with The Face Thief. A powerfully dark and gripping tale of two men obsessed with one very charismatic, very  damaged woman who’s determined to con from each of them everything she needs to survive, The Face Thief offers highest quality psychological suspense—an ideal follow up to the author’s  masterful  Now You See Him. A writer who can do no wrong, Eli Gottlieb shines with The Face Thief—an effective, provocative, and all around extraordinary novel, written with the literary flair and power of Ian McEwan and rich in its searing portraits of fallible lovers and marriages under siege.

2. What does the novel’s opening tell you about Margot Lassiter? Who is she? Why is she so successful at what she does? What factors influenced her character and behavior? What ultimately drives her manipulation?
3. How did Margot view men? Do you think she would be as successful conning women? Do you think gender plays a role in her ability to seduce? How much would you say her effectiveness depended on sex—and how much tapped into some deeper human element?
4. How are men and woman each portrayed in The Face Thief? Use examples from the book to explain. How accurate do you think these portraits are?
5. Compare the three men involved with Margot. How did she reel each one in? Why was Potash so easily swayed by her? What about Lawrence? Why was Dan so protective of her, even when he was aware of her alleged crimes?
6. Through the course of the book, we see Margot work her skilled charms on several men. Why did these smart, experienced, and savvy men fall for her cons? If someone as skilled as Lawrence Billings, as sophisticated as John Potash, and as experienced as Dan France can be taken in, how can any other man resist her?
7. When Lawrence tells his wife, Glynnis, about Margot, do you think her reaction is appropriate? How serious was Lawrence’s transgression? Should he have told her earlier, given their past marital troubles? Would you say they Lawrence and Glynnis have a typical marriage?
8. In its review of The Face Thief, Publishers Weekly says, “Gottlieb provocatively explores human relationships and the lies we tell ourselves and each other.” Whydo we lie to ourselves? Why do we wear masks in the world? How would the world be different if we exposed our true faces?
9. According to Margot, “the real reason we have faces, is to hold back what we’re thinking from the world.” But is she right? Don’t most of us—albeit unconsciously—express what we think of the world on our faces? Isn’t that why she can get away with the things that she does?
10. What was Margot telling Lawrence in her last letter? Why did she thank him for what he did to her? Did he react the way she imagined he would when he received it? Did Margot truly love Lawrence? Do you think she’s even capable of such feelings? What drew her to him?
11. What impact did Margot ultimately have on the lives of the men whom she duped?
12. Were you satisfied with the ending? Should she be punished for what she’s done?

This book is on these lists:

• January 2012 Indie Next List
• December 2011 Indie Next List
• November 2011 Indie Next List