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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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Baker tells others that she feels the Colony is better for the women than sending them to prison. Do you think this is true?
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10
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33
|
March 31, 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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Shine is both starry-eyed and fearful of her first famous customer at the bar, Al Capone. She believes they are both "willing to do whatever it took to survive and keep their families safe." Do you agree? Does Shine discover a line she won't cross?
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4
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13
|
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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59
|
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
|
219
|
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
|
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?
|
|
23
|
96
|
March 31, 2026
|
|
Many women were scared or intimidated into submitting themselves to these facilities. Women didn't receive due process through a court system. Why do you think women were the primary focus of immoral behaviors and not men?
|
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18
|
56
|
March 30, 2026
|
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The novel is about the mass incarceration of women suspected of promiscuous, immoral, or lewd behavior. Were you aware of this history? Are there other similar instances mass incarcerations in the US that you know of?
|
|
27
|
112
|
March 30, 2026
|
|
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?
|
|
22
|
57
|
March 30, 2026
|
|
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?
|
|
10
|
35
|
March 30, 2026
|
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Of Lidy, Elsie says, "Right or wrong, but never indifferent. She was a Strong through and through." Did you agree with the steely matriarch's decisions to do what she thought best—whether keeping a painful secret or ending a life prematurely?'
|
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4
|
15
|
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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26
|
March 30, 2026
|
|
Freya faces one of the hardest challenges in the book. Would you have made the same decision she did? If not, why?
|
|
14
|
59
|
March 28, 2026
|
|
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
|
28
|
March 28, 2026
|
|
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
|
|
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?
|
|
16
|
53
|
March 28, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of Harlem Rhapsody? (no spoilers, please!)
|
|
31
|
123
|
March 27, 2026
|
|
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
|
12
|
March 27, 2026
|
|
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?
|
|
13
|
39
|
March 27, 2026
|
|
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
|
24
|
March 27, 2026
|
|
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?
|
|
9
|
36
|
March 27, 2026
|
|
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
|
|
[Warning: Spoilers] There’s a surprise that comes midway through the book. How did you react to it?
|
|
21
|
87
|
March 27, 2026
|
|
Dorothy Baker is passionate about what she sees as her mission. Her beliefs are typical of the day. Considering the time period, do you believe Baker was cruel? What similarities do you recognize within these institutions as compared to an actual prison?
|
|
7
|
21
|
March 27, 2026
|