Marble Hall Murders

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How would you compare and contrast this book with Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders? Which book of the trilogy do you prefer?

2. Did you enjoy the book-within-a-book structure? Did it expand the plot, detract from it, or neither?

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

1. Did you think Susan was a relatable protagonist? Consider her professional challenges, personal life, and personality.

2. What character did you identify with the most?

3. Have you had any experiences with a legacy of family secrets? If so, how did they impact your perception of the characters and plot?

4. Do the depictions of the publishing industry in the novel reflect what you know about the industry, or do they differ from it?

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

1. What does the novel teach readers about the dynamic between writers and editors? Is this dynamic reflected in other media?

2. In what ways does the novel subvert the classic murder mystery genre?

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

1. How does the book-within-a-book amplify the main narrative? How does this intermingling complicate Eliot’s personal story and lead him to incorrectly identify Miriam’s killer?

2. Consider the symbols of art, intercepted communication, and poison. Which symbol did you find yourself tracing, or did you uncover something else altogether?

3. How would you compare Susan’s narrative and Pund’s Last Case? Though Susan’s narrative is the primary narrative, how does Pund’s Last Case propel the primary narrative forward?

4. How would you parallel Susan and Atticus’s character arcs? How would you parallel Atticus and Ian Blakeney’s character arcs? How do Susan and Blakeney work together to create one singular detective figure?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What would Atticus Pund put on his playlist in the 1940s and 1950s?

2. If you were making a movie of Marble Hall Murders, who would you cast as Atticus and Susan? What about the supporting characters? Whose casting do you feel matters the most and why?­­