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Billie's feelings about Joan are complicated. What aspects of Billie's life play into that relationship? What did you think about Joan's treatment of Billie?
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20
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88
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May 10, 2026
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Merritt doesn’t share everything with the police. She feels that once they have a suspect they become “blind to all the evidence that points a different way.” (p. 77). What do you think about her opinion here? Is she correct?
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4
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12
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May 10, 2026
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Were you familiar with any of the myths the author includes in the narrative? Which ones? How did the author’s versions compare to those you recall?
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8
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32
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May 10, 2026
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What did you think about Clayton's role in the novel? How would you describe his feelings for Billie? Why does he seek her out? How do you think she feels about him?
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11
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57
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May 10, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend Won’t Be Long Now? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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17
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72
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May 10, 2026
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Why Do Men Go to War?
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6
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36
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May 10, 2026
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As he’s designing his statue of Aphrodite, Alexandros struggles with what to put in her hands. Did you have any thoughts as you were reading as to what would be appropriate? What do you feel about his final choice?
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5
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17
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May 10, 2026
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When Mebel and Alain begin their affair, both are still married but living separately from their spouses. What was your opinion of Alain, and of their relationship? Did you suspect his true character before Gemma spilled the beans?
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12
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31
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May 10, 2026
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Which scene in the book was your favorite? Were there any passages or quotes you highlighted, and if so, which ones?
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16
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71
|
May 10, 2026
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Do you think Billie is, as she implies, autistic? How does that affect your view of her and her story?
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11
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63
|
May 10, 2026
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Have you read Elizabeth Hardinger’s earlier novel, All the Forgiveness? If so, how does it compare to Won’t Be Long Now?
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8
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36
|
May 10, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Won’t Be Long Now? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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26
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118
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May 10, 2026
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Billie refuses to attend important rituals, like her graduation ceremony or funerals. Why do you suppose this is? Her mother tells her she'll regret it later. Does she? What's your opinion about such rituals?
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11
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57
|
May 10, 2026
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The novel, “All her life, Mabel Tanadi has always had a fear of – not so much death as much as situations that eventually lead to death.” What did you think of this opening? What was your opinion of her list of anxieties? Do you ever have similar worries?
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5
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12
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May 10, 2026
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Jesse Q. Sutanto is the author of 16 other novels including the Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers series and the Dial A for Aunties series. Have you read any of her other titles?
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24
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94
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May 10, 2026
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Why do you think Mebel is so intent on winning Henk back? What did you feel about her choice of how to go about it?
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6
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29
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May 10, 2026
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Henk, Mebel’s son Sammy, and Sammy’s wife Hannah surprise Mebel by turning up in England to ask her to come back home. She refuses. How did you react to this scene? Of the adults present whose reaction surprised you the most?
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10
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34
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May 10, 2026
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Mebel ponders her relationship with Henk, feeling that she may have been overconfident in her assessment of her position. Do you feel she took their relationship for granted? Is there was anything she could have done to prevent Henk from leaving?
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4
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15
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May 10, 2026
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Gemma calls Mebel “Mebs” and at first Mebel is offended because she's used to “elders [being] treated with reverence.” (p. 99). Does Mebel receive the appropriate deference in class? How do you think her age helps or hurts her at the cooking school?
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5
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18
|
May 10, 2026
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Mebel thinks that “The more power and money [powerful men] amass, the more fragile their egos become.” (p. 262). What do you feel about this statement? Is it accurate?
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12
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47
|
May 10, 2026
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The misspelling of her name is a big deal to Mebel, because she feels it marks her as a non-English speaker. Is she correct in her assessment about how the English-speaking world views those who don’t speak the language?
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8
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21
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May 10, 2026
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At the end of her first week of classes, Chef Clarke advises Mebel to drop out because she doesn’t “have what it takes to be a chef.” (pp. 88-90). What did you think of this scene? Do you feel he was trying to be kind? What about Mebel’s response?
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8
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23
|
May 10, 2026
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What was your first guess as to why Gemma suddenly left school? Were you surprised she didn’t return?
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19
|
83
|
May 10, 2026
|
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Had you heard the term CHIP before? What did you think of Mebel giving herself this label? Why do you think she’s proud of being a CHIP at the book’s start? Do you think she still considers herself a CHIP by the end of the book?
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8
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28
|
May 9, 2026
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Liza Tully is the pseudonym for Elisabeth Brink, who also writes dark thrillers under the name Elisabeth Elo, as well as literary fiction under Elisabeth Panttaja Brink. Have you read any of her other novels?
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4
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15
|
May 8, 2026
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What do you think of the author’s choice to use first-person narration, setting the plot entirely from Olivia’s perspective? What might have been different if it had included other perspectives, or if the novel had been written in the third person?
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5
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19
|
May 8, 2026
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Mebel discovers that cooking provides a “sense of peace” and that it calms “the usual cacophony of noises” in her mind. (p. 107). Does this ring true for you? Are there activities you engage in that clear your head in a similar manner?
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16
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52
|
May 8, 2026
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Were you surprised Agatha didn’t come forward sooner regarding what she knew of Alain’s behavior? Why do you suppose she kept his character secret?
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5
|
22
|
May 8, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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32
|
171
|
May 8, 2026
|
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The World's Greatest Detective Character List
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0
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9
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May 7, 2026
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