Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. As the second book in the Walter Nash series, Hope Rises picks up right after the events of Nash Falls. For those who read the first book, how did this story meet or change your expectations for Nash’s journey? For those new to the series, did you feel you had enough background to jump right in?

2. Which of the novel’s many twists and reveals did you find most shocking or satisfying? Was there a moment that completely changed your understanding of a character or the entire plot?

3. What did you think of the book’s pacing? Did you find the blend of high-stakes action sequences, psychological tension, and strategic maneuvering effective in keeping you engaged from start to finish?

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

1. Nash undergoes a deep physical and psychological transformation to become Hope. Can you think of a time in your own life when you had to learn a new skill or adopt a different mindset to face a challenge? What did that experience teach you about your own capacity for change?

2. Steers dreams of a simple life with a small kitchen garden, a stark contrast to her reality as a ruthless crime lord. Have you ever felt a similar tension between your external responsibilities and your private aspirations or dreams? How did you handle this situation?

3. The book places characters in constantly evolving, high-pressure situations where they must adapt or fail. Think about a time you had to improvise or completely pivot from a set plan. What did you learn from navigating that uncertainty?

4. Victoria chooses to keep her severe burn scars as a constant reminder of past vulnerability. Share a personal story about an event from your past that continues to shape who you are in the present.

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

1. The story is set against the backdrop of the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, a real and ongoing conflict. How did grounding the rescue mission in this specific political reality affect your reading experience? Did it add a layer of authenticity or urgency to the plot?

2. What does the book suggest about the nature of hidden global power structures, embodied by the enigmatic Lord? How does his ability to manipulate governments and criminal enterprises from the shadows reflect anxieties about who truly wields influence in the modern world?

3. How does the novel’s depiction of drug trafficking as a tool for geopolitical destabilization comment on international relations today? What do Masuyo’s and Lord’s motivations suggest about the lines between crime, business, and state-sponsored warfare?

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

1. The novel’s central plot of a wronged man who reinvents himself to exact revenge is a classic literary trope. How does Nash’s journey compare to other famous revenge stories, such as Edmond Dantès’s in The Count of Monte Cristo? In what ways does Baldacci follow or subvert the conventions of this genre?

2. The motif of chess frames the strategic battles between Steers, Masuyo, and Lord. How does this motif enhance your understanding of their intelligence and cunning? Who did you see as the most skilled player, and what move ultimately secured victory?

3. How do Victoria’s burn scars and Walter’s tattoos function as contrasting markers of identity? What does the difference between chosen and inflicted physical marks reveal about each character’s journey toward agency and self-definition?

4. Let’s talk about Temple’s character arc. Do you believe his final cooperation was a sign of genuine change and a step toward redemption, or was it simply an act of self-preservation? What does his fate suggest about the possibility of breaking free from The Burden of Family Ambition?

5. How does Baldacci explore the theme of The Morally Corrosive Nature of Vengeance through Nash’s transformation? Were there moments where the distinctions between the mission’s hero and its villains seemed to blur for you?

6. Deception is a key tactic used by almost every character, from Steers’s staged murder of Ryder to Masuyo’s fake imprisonment. How do these layers of illusion and misdirection affect the story’s suspense and your trust in the characters’ motivations?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were casting a film adaptation of Hope Rises, whom would you choose to play the roles of Walter Nash/Dillon Hope and Victoria Steers? What qualities do those actors possess that would bring these characters to life?

2. What do you imagine the future holds for “Jenny Lee” and “Dillon Hope” after the novel’s end? Do you think they can truly find peace and build new lives for themselves, or will the shadows of their pasts inevitably catch up to them?

3. Imagine you are an FBI profiler assigned to Rhett Temple’s case after the events at the warehouse. Write a brief assessment of his psychological state. What are his key motivations, and what is your prognosis for his rehabilitation?