Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Roses of May is the second book in Dot Hutchison’s The Collector Trilogy. For those who read The Butterfly Garden, how did this installment compare? Did it feel like a natural continuation or a significant shift in focus? For those who haven’t read the first book, did this story stand on its own for you?

2. How did the blend of crime investigation and a psychologically focused narrative work for you? Did you find yourself more engaged by the FBI’s investigation or by Priya Sravasti’s internal journey of grief and planning?

3. What was the most haunting element of the novel for you? Was it a particular scene, the killer’s chilling internal logic, or Priya’s struggle with her trauma?

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

1. How does Priya’s camera function as a psychological tool for her throughout the novel? Think about a time you might have used a hobby or a creative outlet to help you process a difficult situation or see the world differently.

2. What makes the bond between Priya and Agent Brandon Eddison, which is built on a shared understanding of loss, so compelling? Have you experienced a friendship in your own life that was deepened by navigating a difficult experience together?

3. The veterans at the chess pavilion provide Priya with a community of “fellow survivors.” In what ways have you found or created a “found family” or a supportive community that offered unspoken understanding?

4. In what ways did you react to the partnership between Priya and her mother, Deshani Sravasti? Have you ever supported or been part of a decision with someone close to you that felt risky or morally uncertain? How did you navigate that situation?

5. Inara Morrissey’s letter challenges the societal pressure to “get over” tragedy by asking if she’s allowed to “stay broken.” Have you ever felt pressure—whether from others or yourself—to “move on” from something difficult? How did you respond to that expectation?

6. Is there a game, a ritual, or a structured activity that you turn to for a sense of order or calm when life feels chaotic, much like Priya does with chess?

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

1. The novel critiques the way the public and media consume tragedy, with Inara noting that “the public steals tragedies from victims” (56). Where do you see this happening in our own culture, and how does our 24/7 news cycle affect the private grief of individuals?

2. What does the novel suggest about how society’s traditional ideas of “good girls” and female innocence can become dangerous or restrictive? How do these expectations shape the way characters are treated in the story, and do you see similar expectations persisting today?

3. Section Chief Martha Ward represents a bureaucratic rigidity that endangers lives. Have you seen situations where strict rules or systems prevented a more flexible or humane response? How should people respond in those moments?

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

1. The author alternates perspectives between the FBI team, Priya, and the killer’s unsettling flashbacks. What effect did this narrative structure have on the story’s suspense and your understanding of the characters’ psychologies?

2. The novel draws from both police procedurals and psychological thrillers. How does the novel use elements of investigation and psychological insight to focus on the emotional toll of crime?

3. How does the meaning of the flowers evolve throughout the story, shifting from a historical marker of past violence to a direct, psychological weapon used against Priya?

4. How should we interpret Priya’s final, morally complex act? Do you see it as a moment of empowerment and reclaimed agency, or as a descent into vigilantism?

5. Why do you think the author chose to develop the critical relationship between Priya and Inara entirely through letters? What does this epistolary element add to your understanding of their relationship?

6. The FBI agents’ decision to accept Priya’s version of events is a crucial part of the ending. Why do you believe they make this choice, and what does it suggest about their view on the limitations of the official justice system?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. You are tasked with designing a public memorial for the 16 young women Jameson Carmichael killed. What form would this memorial take, and what elements or symbols would you use to honor their lives rather than focusing on their deaths?

2. Priya takes photos “for Chavi, so she can see the things I see” (13). Put yourself in Priya’s shoes after she and her mother move to Paris. What are the first three photographs you would take for Chavi, and what would you write about them in your journal to her?

3. Deshani and Priya keep their plan to lure the killer a secret for a crucial period. Write a short, fictional journal entry from Deshani’s perspective during this time. What are her fears, her hopes, and her justification for taking matters into her own hands? Based on this perspective, how do you interpret her decision, and do you find her reasoning convincing?