Murder at the Book Group (39 page)

“Vince . . . Let's get married.”

MURDER AT THE BOOK GROUP

Maggie King

A R
EADERS
G
ROUP
G
UIDE

Introduction

Hazel Rose never dreamed that the murder mystery book group she cofounded with Carlene Arness would play host to a real murder. In
Murder at the Book Group
, Carlene is found dead in her own home, supposedly from a suicide induced by cyanide-spiked tea. Hazel is suspicious and decides to investigate this potential murder—where everyone in her book group is suddenly a suspect. As she dives deeper, she finds out the old adage is true: Everyone's got a secret.

Topics and Questions for Discussion

1. At the beginning of the story, how would you describe Hazel?

2. Which character in the book group do you most relate to?

3. Who were you rooting for romantically in the story—Hazel and Vince, or Hazel and her ex-husband Evan?

4. Carlene has an extremely turbulent past, which Hazel unveils throughout the course of the book. Do you know anyone like this?

5. Describe Hazel's friendship with Kat, and her friendship with Lucy. How does Hazel get along with people who are very different from her?

6. What quotes or passages in particular stood out to you? What made you think? What made you laugh?

7. Kat and Annabel have distinctive ways of dressing. How do their stand-out styles shape their characters? Do you have a particular style that people associate with you?

8. That unholy trinity of conversation topics—politics, religion, and sex—are woven throughout the story. How do attitudes toward these controversial and potentially divisive subjects define the characters?

9. In a movie version, who would play what roles?

10. How is
Murder at the Book Group
different from or similar to other mysteries you have read?

11. Were you surprised by the identity of the killer at the end of the mystery? What clues were there along the way that pointed to that character?

12. How do you usually choose your book group picks? Is there a theme to your picks like in Hazel's book group?

13. What do you think will happen next to the characters in this story?

IN HAPPIER DAYS, THE
Murder on Tour book group enjoyed a holiday tea at the Jefferson Hotel in historic Richmond and compiled a list of our favorite mystery titles. The results pretty much match up with the member.

Annabel favors J. A. Jance, whose hard-hitting police procedurals are so like the ones she herself pens; Art is in heaven with Civil War–era tales, and
Chickahominy Fever
's setting is our own Richmond, Virginia; Carlene is the original Christie-phile and devours everything turned out by the renowned “Queen of Crime.”

I've never been to the Lone Star State where Susan Wittig Albert places the China Bayles herbal mysteries, but I enjoyed the authentic Texas barbecue that Kat, sporting a leopard cowgirl hat and boots, hosted. Annabel accessorized her power suit with stunning silver boots.

Detectives with a religious worldview appealed to Helen, so she selected a Father Dowling tale. Kat enjoyed seeing a good-looking man on the cover of her book and Robert Crais is, in her words, a handsome devil. Katherine Hall Page provides readers with recipes in her culinary-themed New England series featuring caterer Faith Fairchild. When we toured the region, Lucy treated us to the same muffins and cookies that Faith bakes. Sarah finds John Dunning's Denver-based tales combining book lore and suspense riveting, and erudite British tales such as the ones by the late Sarah Caudwell draw Trudy like a magnet.

Annabel:
Birds of Prey,
J. A. Jance

Art:
Chickahominy Fever,
Ann McMillan

Carlene:
The Mirror Crack'd,
Agatha Christie

Hazel:
A Dilly of Death,
Susan Wittig Albert

Helen:
Triple Pursuit,
Ralph M. McInerny

Kat:
L.A. Requiem,
Robert Crais

Lucy:
The Body in the Moonlight,
Katherine Hall Page

Sarah:
The Sign of the Book,
John Dunning

Trudy:
The Sirens Sang of Murder,
Sarah Caudwell

MANY THANKS TO MY
wise and wonderful agent, Mel Berger, and to my equally wise and wonderful editor, Natasha Simons.

D. P. Lyle, M.D., answered my many questions about poison, both personally and in his valuable resources,
Forensics for Dummies
and
Murder and Mayhem
.

Vince O'Neill, Retired Firearms Training Coordinator at Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education & Training (and my high school classmate) generously shared his vast knowledge of guns.

The late Rev. Fred Spivey of the West End Assembly of God in Richmond, Virginia, graciously allowed me to interview him about the practices and beliefs of his church.

My readers, Alyson Radcliffe Ross, Lelia Taylor, Jan Freeman, Marcia Phillips, and Glen King made many helpful suggestions along the way.

The Richmond Police Department Ride-Along program was an eye-opener; John Lamb, mystery author and former homicide detective, gave me sound advice on realistically depicting police interaction with amateur detectives.

James Pendleton, author and professor emeritus of creative writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, told me never to let anyone discourage me.

My interesting family and friends have gifted me with story ideas for years to come.

I've met many great people at book groups through the years. The AAUW mystery group of Santa Clarita, California, served as a model for the Murder on Tour group described in these pages.

I thank the great cats who have “owned” me: Marie, Shammy, Daisy, Morris, and Olive. Special thanks go to Shammy and Daisy who performed well in their supporting roles in this story.

Last but not least, I thank Glen for his love, support, companionship, and undying faith in me.

Pocket Books

A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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www.SimonandSchuster.com

New York, NY 10020

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 by Maggie King

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Pocket Books paperback edition January 2015

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Cover design by Chelsea McGuckin

Cover art by Brandon Dorman

ISBN 978-1-4767-6246-3

ISBN 978-1-4767-6248-7 (ebook)