Across the Vanishing Sky

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your reaction to the final reveal of the story’s main villain? Had you already found the clues leading to this unmasking, or did the twist take you completely by surprise?

2. This book is part of Catherine Cowles’s interconnected literary universe and features cameos from characters who are central to her other series. For those familiar with her work, how did seeing characters like Ridley Sawyer or Anson Hunt enhance (or detract from) the story? For new readers, did these crossovers spark your interest in exploring the other books set in this world?

3. The narrative weaves together elements of a dark thriller, a contemporary romance, and a story about healing from trauma. How does the author work to balance these different influences?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Braedyn lives by the motto: “Believe in yourself, even when no one else does” (3). Have you ever had to stand firm in a belief or goal that others doubted? What motivated you to keep going?

2. The Archer brothers and their great-uncle Waylon form a powerful bond that counteracts their traumatic past. Have your own family or friends ever helped you to recover from a serious crisis?

3. Dex is terrified of inheriting his father’s violent tendencies. How does the book explore the weight of such a dark family legacy? To what extent are people’s identities shaped by their family’s history or by their own individual choices?

4. The Compass support group brings together people who have been shattered by loss. What role does community play in helping the characters navigate their grief and uncertainty? How did the interactions within this group dovetail with your own experiences of loss?

5. What moments were most important in building trust between Braedyn and Dex? Explain your reasoning.

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does Sheriff Miller’s early dismissal of Nova’s case reflect the systemic biases that can exist in law enforcement and media coverage? How do Braedyn’s uses of social media counteract these institutional failures?

2. Deputy Travis Moore exploits his position of authority to commit violent crimes while hiding in plain sight. What message does the novel sends about the nature of evil and the trust that people place in social institutions?

3. The novel contrasts the formal justice system with the Archers’ secret vigilante group? Do you see the Archers’ actions as heroic, or do they raise complicated ethical questions for you?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Analyze the setting of Twisted Oak Ranch. Why does Cowles incorporate so many whimsical visual elements? What emotional effect do these details create?

2. How do Braedyn and Dex’s narratives complement one another throughout the novel? How did this narrative choice affect the pacing of the suspense and the development of their romance?

3. How do Vincent Faber and Travis Moore represent different kinds of threats? What does the story accomplish by pitting Braedyn against an intimately familiar abuser from her past and a hidden predator from the present?

4. When Dex reinterprets Braedyn’s stretch marks as “phoenix wings,” how does that moment expand the symbol’s meaning?

5. The Archers’ brand of vigilante justice succeeds where official law enforcement fails. How does this dynamic compare to other popular vigilante narratives such as the Batman comics? What, if anything, makes the Hourglass Network’s approach unique?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine that you are a producer for the Sounds Like Serial podcast and are preparing a follow-up episode after the events of the book. What angle would you take for the story, and what key questions would you want to ask Braedyn, Dex, and Nova?

2. The Archer brothers each contribute a specific skill to their vigilante network. If you were to form an investigative team with your friends or family, what unique talents would each person bring to the table?

3. Picture the characters five years later. What does daily life look like for Braedyn, Dex, and Owen? How has Nova continued her healing journey in the years after her immediate recovery?