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About the How to Kill a Crime Writer Discussion category
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1
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22
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September 29, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of How to Kill a Crime Writer? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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30
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238
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September 29, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend How to Kill a Crime Writer?
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20
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154
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September 29, 2026
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Were you surprised by the murderer’s identity?
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19
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154
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September 29, 2026
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What was your initial take on Annie’s death? Did you think it was truly an accident at any point, or were you convinced from the start that it was a murder?
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16
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111
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September 29, 2026
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Sarah Lotz has published 20 novels. In addition to those written under her own name, she's also published as S.L. Grey, Lily Herne, and Helene S. Paige. Have you read any of her other works, and if so, which ones?
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14
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79
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September 29, 2026
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How did you explain Leah’s presence, particularly when she first appeared to Niamh? Did you have any theories? Did you consider her Annie’s “muse”?
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13
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87
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September 29, 2026
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What did you think about the author's note at the end of the book? Did it impact the way you felt about the novel in any way?
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13
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112
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September 29, 2026
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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
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63
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September 29, 2026
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Why do you suppose Niamh was so surprised – and even disbelieving – when others mentioned her parents’ belief in her talent?
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10
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72
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September 29, 2026
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Leah remembers past trauma but doesn’t dwell on these events because “the present and future are more important” (pp.133-134). What do you think about this attitude? Do you agree with her?
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10
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78
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September 29, 2026
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What did you think about Niamh’s belief that her mother only moved to a small, rural cottage so that Niamh couldn’t move in with her?
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10
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94
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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
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89
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September 29, 2026
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Niamh coins several terms throughout the novel. Did you have any favorites?
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9
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59
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September 29, 2026
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Niamh compares her biography to Leah’s (p.22). Why do you feel Niamh was so dismissive of her own abilities?
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8
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70
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September 29, 2026
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What did you think of Leah? Do you feel she was Annie’s image of the perfect daughter? Do you think Niamh was justified in envying her, even though Leah’s a fictional character?
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7
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51
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September 29, 2026
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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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49
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September 29, 2026
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What was your opinion of Leah’s and Niamh’s relationship? Do you think they were sisters, of a sort? Why or why not?
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7
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65
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September 29, 2026
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Niamh and her mother have had a difficult relationship for years. Why do you suppose that was? Was there anything either one could have done to ease the tension between them? What would you have done in Niamh’s shoes?
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6
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40
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September 29, 2026
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What other murder mysteries do you recommend that have a similar theme or flavor? Is there another author you can think of whose work is comparable?
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3
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31
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September 29, 2026
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What scenes did you particularly enjoy? Were there any you highlighted?
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3
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33
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September 29, 2026
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