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What did you think of Olivia’s relationship with Trevor? Why do you feel she forgot about his opening, and kept putting off calling his mother?
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15
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68
|
May 22, 2026
|
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What was your first impression of the two main characters, Aubrey Merritt and Olivia Blunt?
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15
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75
|
May 22, 2026
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Olivia is more empathetic than Merritt, and asks herself, “Must I always suspect the absolute worst of a person?” (p. 240). Do you think this trait is required to be an effective investigator, or is it something that develops with experience?
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11
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52
|
May 22, 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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12
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48
|
May 22, 2026
|
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Who did you suspect of the crime? Did your opinion about the guilty party change over the course of the novel?
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11
|
57
|
May 22, 2026
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Merritt is sometimes harsh with those she’s interviewing but at other times she fawns. What were your thoughts as she spoke to suspects? What was your opinion of her investigative style? Is there another fictional detective she reminds you of?
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7
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43
|
May 22, 2026
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Merritt tells Olivia that “Truly good people…tend to assume other people are just like them…It’s a dangerous state of affairs for them.” (p.22). Olivia replies that that’s a dark way of looking at things. Which of these characters do you agree with?
|
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17
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66
|
May 22, 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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11
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36
|
May 22, 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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7
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27
|
May 21, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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8
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52
|
May 21, 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?
|
|
21
|
80
|
May 21, 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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15
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58
|
May 21, 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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6
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40
|
May 21, 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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|
12
|
52
|
May 21, 2026
|
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What was your first guess as to why Gemma suddenly left school? Were you surprised she didn’t return?
|
|
20
|
114
|
May 21, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
|
|
36
|
223
|
May 21, 2026
|
|
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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29
|
149
|
May 21, 2026
|
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What plot point surprised you? What red herrings did you detect?
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6
|
44
|
May 20, 2026
|
|
Mebel tries to integrate with other students at lunch. (p 66, 68-70). What did you think of her technique? Were you surprised at the other students’ reactions?
|
|
7
|
35
|
May 20, 2026
|
|
Olivia expects to be fired any minute, and in truth Merritt doesn’t seem very supportive. What did you think of Olivia as a detective? What strengths did you see, and what weaknesses? Do you agree with Merritt’s “final grade of C plus”? (p.378)
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|
8
|
35
|
May 20, 2026
|
|
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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|
13
|
87
|
May 20, 2026
|
|
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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|
13
|
79
|
May 20, 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?
|
|
15
|
94
|
May 20, 2026
|
|
What did you think of the book’s conclusion, and what do you think Billie's life will look like going forward?
|
|
22
|
112
|
May 20, 2026
|
|
In the Author’s Note, Bear says she “drew a lot of Aphrodite’s character” from women of Hollywood’s Golden Era. Which elements of these starlets did you see in Aphrodite? Which other “goddesses” would you add to the list?
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6
|
31
|
May 19, 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?
|
|
20
|
100
|
May 19, 2026
|
|
Have you read either of Lauren J.A. Bear’s previous novels, Medusa’s Sisters or Mother of Rome? If so, how do they compare to Aphrodite in Pieces?
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9
|
56
|
May 19, 2026
|
|
How does the author use humor to tackle the serious anxieties of aging and loneliness?
|
|
3
|
27
|
May 19, 2026
|
|
What did you know about Aphrodite and what was your opinion of her before reading Aphrodite in Pieces? Did your feelings about her change over the course of the novel?
|
|
10
|
47
|
May 17, 2026
|
|
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?
|
|
18
|
89
|
May 17, 2026
|