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- Marilyn learns on Facebook that she has been dropped from her book club. Have you ever had an experience on social media that was hurtful?
- Marilyn’s conservative political views have caused friction with her liberal daughters. Have you or someone you know experienced conflict with family and/or friends because of politics? Is this friction more common in recent years, and why? What role does social media play?
- Do you think Marilyn and Jack are racists, as their daughters claim? Do you find their gradual acceptance of Detective Thacker as a potential son-in-law believable? Why or why not?
- In the beginning, Marilyn viewed Detective Thacker as “a bumbling amateur.” Do you think her judgment would have been less harsh if Thacker were a white man? Are there examples of her judgmental behavior toward white people as well?
- Do you think Marilyn and Jack have a healthy marriage? In what ways do they bring out the best and the worst in each other?
- Chloe accuses Marilyn of “fat-shaming,” but Marilyn claims to be merely concerned about her daughter’s health. With which perspective do you agree?
- How does Marilyn’s relationship with her daughters compare to your relationships with your own children or with your parents? What concerns does she have that you can relate to?
- Alejandra is undocumented, suffers mental and physical abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, and the others see her as a hoarder. Rachel hears voices, bears a grudge against her dead wife, and has a drinking problem. Can you relate to these characteristics and situations through your own life contacts and experiences? Are these characters realistically portrayed?
- Why do you think these women manage to get along eventually considering their differences and initial dislike of each other?
- What was Marilyn’s journey? Did she change and if so, how and why? Did the other main characters change as well?
- Can you relate to the reasons for the murder and find some sympathy for the murderer?