Summers at the Saint

Compare the three parallel investigations: Whelan’s interest in Hudson’s death, Parrish’s and then Livvy’s investigation into guest complaints, and the mystery of Parrish’s murder. How does each mystery shed light on the others? How do the different detectives’ methods compare?

Compare the immorality of antagonists Fred, Ric, and Madelyn Eddings; Charlie Burroughs; and Garrett. Is the justice meted out to each deserved? Why or why not?

How do Livvy and Parrish act as foils to one another? What role does each play within the Eddings family? How do their relationships with Traci and Shannon illustrate character parallels or differences?

Discuss female friendships in the novel. What does the reconciliation between Traci and Shannon symbolize? How does the friendship between Livvy and Felice compare to that of Shannon and Traci?

Discuss questions of tradition and family legacy in the novel. How do harmful legacies intersect with the upholding of positive traditions?

How does her romance with Whelan affect Traci’s character development?

Explore tensions between socioeconomic classes as represented by the Saints and Ain’ts. How do these play out in the novel’s mystery plots?

Which beach read genre tropes does Andrews rely on? Which, if any, does she subvert, and why?