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What effect did having the violin narrate portions of the story have on your reading experience? How did it change your relationship to the instrument?
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19
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78
|
April 1, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend The Violin Maker’s Secret? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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18
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78
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April 1, 2026
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Have you read any of Evie Woods’ previous novels, and if so, how do they compare to The Violin Maker’s Secret?
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17
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71
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April 1, 2026
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Stella is ostracized even before she becomes a snitch. Why do you believe the others don’t like her?
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5
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24
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April 1, 2026
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With the exception of Stella and Ruth, Baker disparages the girls in her care, thinking of them as “low-class degenerates” and “promiscuous, diseased, and immoral.” Why do you feel she is unable to find value in more of her charges?
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5
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21
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April 1, 2026
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[Warning: Spoilers] What did you think of the author’s view of the afterlife? How does it match or differ from your own?
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16
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52
|
April 1, 2026
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Hiram calls Shine his "daughter of the spirit." What does he mean? How does Hiram's love and acceptance play a part in Shine's later decision to form and embrace her own unconventional family bonds? In the end, who do you think is the "strongest Strong?"?
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1
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6
|
April 1, 2026
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John Flanagan is an idealist whose experiences reflect the arc of Prohibition. How does this "rule follower" fare with a rogue partner, mountain moonshiners and criminals? What finally jolts him out of his passivity to pursue what he really wants?
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2
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6
|
April 1, 2026
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How does Rebecca's reluctance to speak up about Jed cause trouble? And later, with Eulalie? Discuss some of the complicating factors in her romantic relationship. What finally pushes her to risk giving voice to her own wants and desires?
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4
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12
|
April 1, 2026
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Both Hiram and his abusive father were alcoholics; Jed's drinking dramatically changes his personality for the worse. Yet it becomes their livelihood. How do they deal with this contradiction? What do you suppose none of the Strong daughters drink?
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3
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8
|
March 31, 2026
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What did you think of the author’s choice to make the lead investigator a mass murderer recently released from prison? Did you agree with Carol that she was uniquely qualified to investigate the murder?
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20
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60
|
March 31, 2026
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Margaret felt that her life got much better once she left politics. What did you think of this transformation? Have you ever felt something similar in your own life?
|
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10
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50
|
March 31, 2026
|
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Overall, what did you think of I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home? (No spoilers, please!)
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38
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221
|
March 31, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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18
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72
|
March 31, 2026
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Carol insists on having a dénouement, where she exposes the guilty party/parties. Why do you suppose this was so important to her?
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13
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62
|
March 31, 2026
|
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Catherine finds Carol’s diary, which contains disturbing information about her past. Yet, she chooses to remain friends with her. Why do you suppose this is? Do you think you could have stayed friends with Carol after learning such details?
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18
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47
|
March 31, 2026
|
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Who was your favorite character, and why?
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23
|
96
|
March 31, 2026
|
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Each chapter of the book starts with an excerpt from Inez’s final letter to Rita. What did you think of this technique? How do you feel it set the stage for the chapter each precedes, or for the book in general?
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22
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57
|
March 30, 2026
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Even as she began to fall in love with Giuseppe, Rita would tell herself, I want him, but I don’t want to need him. Considering her past divorce and her thriving career, was she wise to guard her heart against the count?
|
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10
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35
|
March 30, 2026
|
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Stella's intelligence and eagerness to please win Baker over. What did you think of their relationship? Do you think it was helpful to Stella, or do you wish her outcome were different?
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8
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27
|
March 30, 2026
|
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Freya faces one of the hardest challenges in the book. Would you have made the same decision she did? If not, why?
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14
|
59
|
March 28, 2026
|
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Genevieve begins the book wanting to impress the organization she works for, and by the end, she's thrown protocol out the window. What did you think of her journey? Do you think there was another way of achieving her end goal?
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11
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28
|
March 28, 2026
|
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In the book, the only parent who attempts to visit the Colony is Ruth’s mother. Why do you suppose most parents accepted what was happening to their daughters?
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12
|
50
|
March 28, 2026
|
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Stella Temple lives in a highly dysfunctional home with a mother suffering from mental illness and an abusive father. In her case, do you think placement at the Colony was beneficial?
|
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16
|
54
|
March 28, 2026
|
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Overall, what did you think of Harlem Rhapsody? (no spoilers, please!)
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|
31
|
123
|
March 27, 2026
|
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Two crashes happen almost simultaneously: Jed and Rebecca's car accident & the stock market crash. How does the aftermath of the wreck affect the Strong family? How does it mirror what happens to their community and the country at large?
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3
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13
|
March 27, 2026
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The five stages of grief — Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance — have been increased to seven in recent years. Do you think the additions of Shock and Testing/Processing more accurately reflect how we deal with grief? Why or why not?
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13
|
39
|
March 27, 2026
|
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Callum portrays himself as not needing these meetings, and yet he's the first one of the group to suggest spending time together outside of therapy. Did you see this as Callum looking for connection, or a way for him to hide behind his party persona?
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9
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25
|
March 27, 2026
|
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We never find out Genevieve’s back story. Why do you suppose the author chose to omit this information? What did you think of this decision?
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9
|
36
|
March 27, 2026
|
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To what audience would you recommend The Seven O’Clock Club? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
13
|
56
|
March 27, 2026
|