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In thinking about Niamh’s investigation into her mother’s death, is there anything you would have done differently? If so, what, and why?
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7
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46
|
September 29, 2026
|
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What did you think of the novel’s overall structure, with one character’s story flowing into the next?
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16
|
100
|
September 17, 2026
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Simon Blackwell, a banker in London, thinks to himself that trading is just dumb luck and equates it to betting at a roulette table (p. 89). What do you think of his attitude about the stock market? Do you share his opinion at all?
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11
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56
|
September 17, 2026
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In the Amazon, Ricardo tells Birgit and Karen that while ecology is important, there are also hungry people to feed. Later, he gets angry because foreigners want to tell the Brazilian government how to run their country. What’s your take on this issue?
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12
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63
|
September 17, 2026
|
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Did you feel any of the main characters were evil, or did you mostly feel they were well-meaning?
|
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16
|
103
|
September 17, 2026
|
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In Chapter 1, Liang Dacheng must convince his striking employees that working with the Americans is patriotic. Wang Min, the leader of the protest, disagrees. Who is correct, and why? Did your opinion of Liang Dacheng change over this section?
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5
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39
|
September 17, 2026
|
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What role does money – the pursuit of it, the lack of it, the loss of it – play in each character’s life?
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6
|
56
|
September 17, 2026
|
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Trader Charlie Weeks is rescued from a snowstorm by Gunnar Johannessen. They become close, until Charlie finds out Gunnar advised the council against buying his bonds. What did you think of Charlie’s reaction? Why did they ignore Gunnar’s advice?
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8
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51
|
September 17, 2026
|
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Russian Arkady Antonov finds the woman of his dreams in Cuba, but she changes once she discovers he's wealthy, leading to tragedy. Whom do you blame? Should Arkady have been honest with her from the start, and if so, what would have been different?
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6
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41
|
September 17, 2026
|
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Outsourcing factory work to China is a major theme. What’s your take on this trend? Do you think it can or should be reversed? Why or why not? Do companies have a choice, in your opinion?
|
|
16
|
102
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
Rita seems like a dream girlfriend, why isn’t she?
|
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10
|
55
|
September 17, 2026
|
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Horace can be generous and friendly when he wants to be, but is also selfish and manipulative. Why does Horace act the way he does? Do you think he ever cared about Frank and the other club members, or were his motives always self-interested?
|
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17
|
82
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
Due to the laws of the 1930s, Jonathan and Graham are forced to hide their true relationship. How has our world changed or not changed since then regarding acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community?
|
|
20
|
118
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
In the epilogue, Lucy and Graham share a moment of silent understanding. What did you make of Lucy’s decision to conceal Graham’s secret? Would you have made the same choice?
|
|
14
|
89
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
The Cloak and Dagger Club is a fair-play, Golden Age-style mystery, which gives readers the clues they need to solve the crime. What reveals surprised you, & which did you guess correctly? Did you pick up on any pivotal clues? How about red herrings?
|
|
13
|
67
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
Niamh calls her mom an “obsessive fixer,” and ascribes her desire to write to enjoying “having full control over an outcome for once.” (p.20). Do you think this desire for control is often an inspiration for novelists?
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11
|
62
|
September 29, 2026
|
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Niamh often compares people to desserts, and she herself thinks she'd be a box of cake mix that no one's bothered to make yet. Any thoughts about what kind of dessert you'd be?
|
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9
|
82
|
September 29, 2026
|
|
Discuss Emilie’s decision to exchange babies. Was it a good decision? Do you believe she would have made it had she not been caught by postpartum depression?
|
|
17
|
132
|
August 18, 2026
|
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When Lucy receives Horace’s mysterious invitation to the Cloak and Dagger Club, she decides to go, despite knowing Frank would be there. If you were in her shoes, would you have made the same choice?
|
|
21
|
125
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
To what audience would you recommend The Cloak and Dagger Club?
|
|
20
|
113
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
What do you believe drove Emilie to work in the stables as a child despite social disapproval and her mother’s insistence that she give up horses for embroidery?
|
|
9
|
60
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Consider the relationship between Emilie and Caleb. Did his revelation startle you? Why or why not?
|
|
7
|
62
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
What social conventions did Emilie defy throughout her life, in your view?
|
|
16
|
94
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of Days of Sun and Shadow? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
|
|
27
|
235
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
How do you feel Star’s return helped Emilie recover from the traumatic events surrounding Rose’s birth?
|
|
8
|
58
|
August 18, 2026
|
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Compare Emilie’s marriages. How much control do you think she had over either?
|
|
15
|
102
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
What were some of the milestones you witnessed in Emilie’s journey to independence?
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|
4
|
44
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
To what audience would you recommend Days of Sun and Shadow? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
15
|
116
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Why do you think Emilie chose Miranda over Walker?
|
|
16
|
123
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Do you believe Caleb will ever follow Emilie to Texas?
|
|
19
|
126
|
August 18, 2026
|