Invite Lisa to Your Book Club's Meeting
Lisa loves book clubs and belongs to her neighborhood club, the Thursday Evening Literary Society. If your book club would like Lisa to participate in a discussion about either Broken Vow mystery, please email her an invitation with "Book Club" on the subject line. If Lisa is unable to participate, she can still send all your club members bookmarks as well as autographed bookplates for their copies of the book. Email:
For Richer, For Danger Book Club Discussion Guide Questions
For Richer, For Danger opens with a case of stolen identity. Throughout the story, identity remains a theme, including Jolene's need to feel like "Noelle's mother" and "Ray's wife" as well as her concerns regarding any stigma that might attach itself to Noelle if the facts about her parentage became public knowledge. Discuss what key elements constitute a person's identity. How do differences arise between self-identity and public personae? Can someone truly steal your identity?
As with most mysteries, a whole lot of lying goes on in For Richer, For Danger: the villain(s) trying to cover up the evidence, the secondary characters trying to hide their secrets, and the "good guys" trying to ferret out the truth any way they can. And Jolene and Ray tend to omit the facts whenever it's more expedient in dealing with one another. Identify some of these lies, both white and otherwise. When, if ever, is it acceptable to lie? Is it even possible to get through life without lying?
In the course of the story, Jolene learns new information about Cory's love, Mark Wynn, and Cory stumbles on an interesting fact about Ray and Catherine. Neither one is sure if they should share their discoveries with each other. When is it the right thing to share? When is it best to keep quiet? Can you ever be certain which the right choice is?
How realistically do you think Jolene and Ray's marriage is portrayed? Jolene and Erica's relationship as sisters? Jolene's friendships with Cory and Isabelle?
What did you think of Ray's relationship with Catherine and how he handled that relationship?
Often mysteries build to the moment where the villain receives his just desserts. How did you feel about what happened to the villain(s) in this story?
A dying ex-racer wanted to be buried in his Datsun 240Z. Is this an example of trying to take your possessions with you or of being with the thing you loved most throughout eternity? What's the most unusual burial or funeral request you've ever heard?
So where does For Richer, For Danger leave Jolene and Ray's relationship? Is it where you hoped? What do you expect or hope will happen with their life and relationship in the third book in the series, In Sickness and In Death?
For Better, For Murder Book Club Discussion Guide Questions
Ray Parker was first attracted to Jolene Asdale in high school because she looked like his favorite actress. What first attracted you to your spouse or significant other?
Town gossip paints Jolene as a murder suspect but also helps solve the case. Discuss how gossip can be both destructive and constructive.
It has been said that sisters butt heads more often than any other family members. Have you found this to be true? What do you think of Jolene and Erica's relationship? Are they better for having each other, or worse? As a grownup, should Erica still be Jolene's responsibility?
Discuss Jolene's reasons for not wanting to bear a child and Ray's response to her decision. Did that decision lead to their breakup, or something else?
What did you think about Ray's relationship with Catherine and how Catherine handled herself?
Who did you first believe had committed the murder and why? How did you feel when the murderer was revealed?
Common mystery elements include: suspects (each with means, motive, and opportunity), clues, and red herrings (false clues). How many of these can you identify from the story?
So where does the story leave Jolene and Ray? Is it where you hoped?
Jolene likes to live her life without drama, rumor, or fanfare. What kind of a life do you like to lead?
Jolene and Ray had a tradition of attending the lighting of the town Christmas tree each year. What traditions do you have with your spouse or significant other? What holiday traditions does your home town have that you enjoy each year?
Jolene sells "pre-owned but pristine" foreign sports cars. If you entered her showroom with cash in hand which make(s), model(s), and color(s) would you want? Why?
For Better, For Murder is a cozyish mystery with a number of underlying themes. What makes it cozyish? Identify the underlying themes.
