The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

 Ellie Black is back, but she's not better than ever!  After going missing for over 2 years, Ellie is found in the wilderness over 1 hour away from where she used to live.  She shows visible signs of malnutrition and poor hygiene, but otherwise unscathed.  She's also not talking.  She is keeping something, something almost sinister, from her parents and the police.  Detective Chelsey Calhoun, who has been working her case since the disappearance, is determined to get the answers, even if that means arresting the victim.

Find out what is behind all of Ellie's secrets and join us for our book club.

RSVP HERE.  JOIN FOR FREE USING THIS CODE: DESTINY

Discussion Questions

Who is Ellie Black?  How and why did she disappear?

How is Chelsey Calhoun involved in the story of Ellie Black?

Why did Chelsey become a police officer?  Do you believe she would have chosen this profession if her father was not a police officer?

What happened to Chelsey's sister?

Why did Chelsey's mother leave?  Where do you think she is now?  Why do you think she didn't come back when Chelsey's father died?

What did you think about Ellie's kidnapping?  Why do you think she was kept in the underground bus?

The kidnappers chose to rename the girls using virtuous nouns (i.e., Hope, Charity, etc.).  Why do you think he did that?

It appeared that Serendipity was there by choice.  Do you believe that?

Ellie chose to follow her kidnapper's directions; however, she did not complete the mission.  Do you believe she was willing to do it?

What do you think happens next for all of the characters?

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

 This author truly knows how to pull on your heart strings!  She highlights important issues in society and brings to light how it can lead to tragedy and psychological repercussions.  In this novel, she chooses to discuss foster systems and how awful every child's situation is when they are left without a home or parent to care for them.  In this book, the awfully tragic life of three girls is compounded by an abusive foster parent situation.  How often does this happen?  How do these children survive?  Or do they?

There are 3 heroines in Darling Girls.  Each of them enters into the foster care of Miss Fairchild living in an idyllic farmhouse known as Wild Meadows.  They can't wait to escape the clutches of their overbearing foster mother.  They devise a plan, and it appears to work, until no one believes them about their other sister.  Were they making it up?  Or was someone lying.  All the answers surface when Wild Meadows makes the news about 20 years later.

JOIN OUR BOOK CLUB as we discuss the tale!  

Join for FREE using the code: DARLING

Discussion Questions

1. Jessica
1. Why was she in the foster system?
2. What was her relationship with Miss Fairchild?
3. Why do you think she had the most difficult time letting go of her?
4. What did her experience translate to in her adult life?
2. Norah
1. What led to her stat at Wild Meadows?
2. What changed in the household after she came?
3. What did her experience translate to in her adult life?
3. Alicia 
1. What brought her to Wild Meadows?
2. How was her experience different from the others?
3. What did it translate to in her adult life?
4. Wild Meadows 
1. What happened that was so shocking at Wild Meadows?
2. What was found that was being investigated?
3. What was the explanation?
4. Do you believe it?
5. Miss Fairchild 
1. What is her story?
2. Why do you think she did all of this?

Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh

 Strangers on the Train gone wrong, in my opinion.  However, a very clever twist.  The back and forth was misleading but I also think that was on purpose.  I enjoyed that twist toward the end.  The characters were believable, and I found no issues connecting with them.  One of my favorites was Scott, who was willing to do anything for his wife.  Another was the detective, Farrow, who had a passion for solving cases but didn't lose his compassion for others.  

One character I am on the fence about is Billy, though.  Wonder what you think about him.

Join the discussion in the comments below or at the Book Club on December 20, 2024.

FREE CODE TO JOIN: BLUEEYES

Discussion Questions

1. Of the three main characters (Amanda, Ruth, and Farrow), which story line were you most interested in?
2. The story opens with Amanda's failed attempt to murder her daughter's killer.  What was the most frustrating thing about this scene?
3. In Chapter 2 we are then abruptly introduced to Ruth's attack.  What did you think of the timing of each introduction (Amanda & Ruth)?  Did you think, at this time, they were connected?
4. Farrow, the detective in both cases, is our third introduction.  What is the importance of his connection to both Amanda and Ruth?
5. Amanda's story (her planned murder of Wallace Crone) is interrupted when she meets Wendy.  Amanda talks about having difficulty connecting with others since her daughter and husband's death.  Why do you think it was so easy for her to connect with Wendy?
6. Naomi tells Amanda she has killed Crone and Amanda is quick to believe it.  Would you have been?  Then she pressures her to quickly follow through with her end of their plan.  What was it and would you have done it?
7. Billy saves Amanda from being arrested and provides a story that is similar to hers.  Knowing what you know now about Billy's character, do you see where the holes are in his story?  Did you originally (or do you still) believe him?
8. What are your current thoughts on Ruth's character and her psychosis?  What do you think led her to this mental state?  How was she able to maintain this?  Do you think she will keep at it or stop?
9. What next for Amanda?  Farrow?
10. Do you think they will ever catch Mr. Blue Eyes?