Location: Indiana Type: Physical book
Timeline: Non-linear Genre: Mystery
Narration: N/A
Review: Stars: 4
It was a deep, complex story of crime and scandal. The multiple twists to the story made it compelling to read. It showed how there are truly multiple sides to each story. And that people are more complex than they seem.
Do you follow your gut? Or follow the facts? This story makes you keep guessing. I figured out parts but there were definite surprises. The ending did leave me needing more closure though.
Questions:
Did anything in the novel remind you of other real world crimes?
At the end of chapter 3 Krissy makes the following statement:
"Everyone knew moms were to blame just a little bit more than dads: bad mom."
Have you ever said this to yourself (if you are a mom)?
Have you experienced this kind of judgement?
Is it a fair statment?
Do you think January's disappearance while Margot and her were children is the reason Margot became a journalist and even worked on the crime beat of the paper she worked for?
Margot did not find out about January's murder from her parents. She found out the truth from some kids at school.
Do you think this caused her damage?
Have you had an experience where you found out important information from someone other than the person who should have told you?
In chapter 5, Krissy is being questioned by Detective Townsend. She has to recount the prior two days.
Do you think it is harder to live through the tramatic event or to relive it when you have to tell police or other people?
It is pretty laid out clearly that Wakarusa is a small town that is run on gossip. When Detective Townsend is questioning Krissy, she mentions people could be jealous of her husband's family or January's dancing.
Do you think that people were actually jealous or did Krissy just wish they were?
After reading Krissy and Billy's back story does your answer change?
The story is told in the female perspective.
How do you think the narrative might change if it was told from the perspective of Jace, Billy or Luke?
When talking about the first kiss between Billy and Krissy the book says "Krissy could not have known then everything that kiss would lead to. If she had, she never would have done it."
Why do you think that is?
Do you think she scensed what would happen?
Do you think the towns people were being fair in their assessment of Krissy as a person and as a mother?
Why or why not?
In chapter 9, Krissy and Billy were informed that a body had been found. Only Billy went to identify the body. Now do you the unthinkable and put yourself in Krissy's shoes.
Would you have done the same as Krissy and let your spouse do it on their own?
Would you do it by yourself?
Or would you and your spouse do it together?
Keeping in mind that everyone grieves differently, do you think Krissy was acting suspiciously in not going to identify the body?
Do you think Krissy and Billy would have stayed together and gotten married if it wasnt' for the pregnancy?
What do you think Krissy would have done if she did get an abortion?
Krissy kept secrets throughout her life.
How do you think this effected her personality and her relationships?
When Margot found the note on her car that said "It's not safe for you here."
who did you think wrote it?
Did you think the note meant the town itself or the Jacobs farm specifically when it said "here"?
It has been said many times and this book says it again. Most crimes are done by someone who knows the victim. Not random strangers.
So why do you think it is more common to tell ourselves it was someone random when we are in one of these situations?
What should Krissy have done when she found the bruise on January?
Margot clearly had someone stalking her: the lady with auburn hair. After reporting this to the police, Margot sees her again while talking to Eli. Margot followed the lady but lost her.
At this point in the story, who did you think the lady with the auburn hair was?
The family travels to New York to appear on the Headline with Sandy Walters show to share their story. At one point Sandy asks about the dance costumes January wore. She asked "are those costumes part of the reason shes now gone? That it attracted the attention of some sort of predator?"
Do you think this is a fair question to ask?
Why or why not?
Why do you think Jace changed his name?
Do you think Margot should have gone to Jace's apartment?
If she didnt, how would the story change?
Do you think the media was fair to Jace at 6 years old?
Do you think the way he was treated after January's death played a role in his criminal record?
Or do you think his crimes stemmed from his father not loving him?
Were you shocked to find out the twins were not Billy's?
Do you think this changed things much?
Do you think Billy knew the twins were biologically Dave's?
Do you think it played a part in the relationship between Billy and the kids?
Did you ever thing Dave was Luke before it was revealed?
Once Margot is introduced to Jodi they go to Elliot Wallace's storage unit together.
Do you think their actions are justified because of what they found?
What should they have done instead?
Why did Elliot Wallace kill half of his victims but let the other half live?
Who do you think killed Krissy?
Is Margot just believing what she wants to believe when she follows the narrative that she committed suicide?
At the end, Margot goes to visit Billy. She wanted him to know the truth about his wife and kids but "Margot wonders if sometimes believing a lie was better."
What are your thoughts?
Do you have an example when this is true?
What do you think happened to Margot at the end?
Why do you think it was so easy for the community to believe Krissy would killy January yet Billy wasn't suspected?
Why did Elliot Wallace have a box for January if he did not kill her?
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