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At what point did you realize Birdie did not have any spoken dialogue? What was the effect?
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|
14
|
119
|
November 18, 2025
|
|
Martha's final confrontation with North has lasting consequences for both of them. Do you think justice was done? What about as regards Rebecca's assault and Burgess's killing? Would you have made the same choice as Martha?
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|
10
|
312
|
September 3, 2025
|
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What does it mean for Birdie to be one of Harriet's Girls? How does this meaning change?
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5
|
90
|
November 18, 2025
|
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At one point, Lulu talks to Birdie about being a "baby groupie." Is this a scene you were familiar with? How might this experience impacted Lulu as she grew older?
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2
|
59
|
November 18, 2025
|
|
Why do you suppose Birdie is able to maintain long-term friendships with Bernice and Bobby but not others with whom she worked?
|
|
8
|
74
|
November 18, 2025
|
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What did you think about Dorothy Pagett’s funeral? Did you feel it was fitting? Why do you feel it proceeded the way it did?
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3
|
90
|
November 13, 2025
|
|
Why no American village mayhem?
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7
|
115
|
November 13, 2025
|
|
What did you make of Simon’s inability to believe in God, in spite of his profession? How about his bishop’s pastoral advice to “carry on as if you still believed” (p. 59)? Do you consider Simon a good vicar? Why or why not?
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14
|
126
|
November 13, 2025
|
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How do you think Harriet viewed Birdie? Did she truly care about her, or do you think she merely felt she was responsible for the teen because of her youth? Why do you suppose she wasn’t more vocal about the choices Birdie was making?
|
|
14
|
137
|
November 18, 2025
|
|
The book opens at Burton Makepeace, a grand estate fallen on hard times, during a murder mystery weekend. What did you think of the setting? Have you ever attended a murder mystery dinner or weekend, or would you like to?
|
|
12
|
83
|
November 13, 2025
|
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Jackson thinks, “some bits of the past you carried with you for ever, other bits you jettisoned as quickly as possible.” (p. 76) Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
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8
|
86
|
November 13, 2025
|
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Tessa manipulates Beth into thinking Gabriel doesn't care about her (p. 284). Do you think she’s acting in Gabriel’s best interests, or just being cruel? If you were Tessa, what would you have done? What would you have done in Beth’s position?
|
|
20
|
217
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
To what audience would you recommend Death at the Sign of the Rook? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style
|
|
10
|
109
|
November 13, 2025
|
|
What audience would you recommend Broken Country to? Is there another book or author you’d recommend that you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
17
|
410
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Discuss Beth’s journey of coming to terms with her son’s death. How does the arrival of Leo and Gabriel affect her ability to cope with that loss?
|
|
10
|
155
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
The novel ends with some explosive consequences and twists. Were you surprised by the revelations at the end? Did you see any of them coming? If so, when?
|
|
23
|
381
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
What do you think the author is saying about the power of first love? Does it always leave a lasting impact? Was Beth’s past love with Gabriel a source of strength or pain for her? How does this effect the way she views herself and her current life?
|
|
12
|
170
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
If you were Beth, would you have chosen Frank or Gabriel? Why?
|
|
25
|
421
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Overall, what did you think of Broken Country? (no spoilers, please!)
|
|
32
|
1802
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Jackson considers the difference between how he thought the world of stolen art worked vs. the reality. Had you heard of the Lost Art Registry? Did reading the book change your ideas about art theft in any way, or did anything surprise you about it?
|
|
3
|
71
|
November 13, 2025
|
|
Did you believe the thief’s story about the Turner – that it was a worthless fake? Why or why not?
|
|
3
|
86
|
November 13, 2025
|
|
Is there a quote or scene in The Tapestry of Time that stood out for you? Why do you suppose it resonated?
|
|
7
|
111
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Birdie wants to tell Michelle, the journalist, that she is “not a reliable narrator of my own story.” What do you think she means? Do you agree that she’s an unreliable narrator? Why or why not?
|
|
2
|
39
|
November 18, 2025
|
|
Reggie accuses Jackson of “nefarious” activities, while he responds, “Nefarious for a good cause” (p. 142). Do you think it was acceptable for him to cross the line under the circumstances? Are there times when it’s reasonable to break the law?
|
|
2
|
56
|
November 13, 2025
|
|
How does the inclusion of clairvoyance in the novel influence the way it explores its historical themes?
|
|
5
|
105
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
How does the novel exemplify ‘life carries on’?
|
|
2
|
109
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
William asks his uncle if Jack’s right when he says that “If you care for someone…then you should let them see all of who you are. He says that’s what love is” (p. 253). What’s your opinion on the subject?
|
|
13
|
116
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Evelyn recalls her father reading to her when she was a child. While she preferred Black Beauty, he enjoyed adventure novels. What does this say about each of their personalities, in your opinion? Do you have a book memory that involves a parent?
|
|
11
|
111
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
What surprised you the most about the book? Did you learn anything new about the period from it?
|
|
6
|
105
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Why do you think Helen struggles to cope with her clairvoyance?
|
|
7
|
108
|
September 3, 2025
|