Northanger Abbey cover

Northanger Abbey

by Val McDermid

Seventeen-year-old Catherine 'Cat' Morland has led a sheltered existence in rural Dorset, a life entirely bereft of the romance and excitement for which she yearns. So when Cat's wealthy neighbours ask her to accompany them to the Edinburgh Festival, she is sure adventure beckons. Edinburgh initially disappoints, but at a Highland dance class Cat meets Henry Tilney, a pale, dark-haired gentleman whose family home, Northanger Abbey, sounds perfectly thrilling. When Henry's father, the rigidly formal General Tilney, invites Cat to stay at Northanger Abbey with his family, Cat's imagination runs riot: an ancient abbey, crumbling turrets, secret chambers, ghosts ... and Henry! What could be more deliciously romantic? But Cat gets far more than she bargained for in this isolated corner of the Scottish Borders ...

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?