There Is No Devil

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. There Is No Devil is characteristic of the dark-romance genre. How did this classification shape your expectations before you started reading? In what ways did the story meet, defy, or redefine what you thought a dark romance could be?

2. How does Cole and Mara’s story compare to classic “beauty and the beast” tropes, where a virtuous character redeems a monstrous one? Does this novel subvert or embrace that traditional structure, and what does its approach suggest about the nature of love and redemption?

3. Which character’s transformation, Mara’s or Cole’s, did you find more compelling or dramatic? What specific moment in their journey felt like the most significant turning point for you, and why?

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

1. Mara’s art is a powerful tool for her to process her past and reclaim her own story. Think about a creative outlet you’ve used in your own life, whether it’s writing, music, cooking, or something else. How has the act of creating helped you understand your own experiences or emotions?

2. The novel suggests that Cole’s intense and meticulous control offers Mara a form of security that she lacked as a child. Have you ever found comfort or safety in a situation with clear rules or a highly defined structure? What makes structure appealing or unappealing for you in different areas of life?

3. Mara has a complicated relationship with her former roommate Joanna, who blames her for their friend Erin’s death. Think about a time when a friendship in your life was tested by a major event or misunderstanding. How did you navigate this, and what was the outcome? What would you change?

4. Cole advises Mara that in the art world, “[y]ou’re the product” (133), encouraging her to market her personal story. In our age of social media, where do you draw the line between sharing an authentic story and commodifying a personal experience? How do you navigate that boundary yourself?

5. Mara’s decision to keep the nipple rings that Shaw installed is presented as an act of agency and reclamation. Have you ever repurposed an object or a memory that initially had negative associations, turning it into something positive or empowering for yourself? What was this, and how did it affect your view of yourself and your circumstances?

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

1. The dark-romance genre has seen a massive surge in popularity, especially on platforms like TikTok’s “BookTok.” What do you think is the appeal of stories that feature morally ambiguous antiheroes and relationships built on extreme power dynamics? What might this trend suggest about contemporary social trends?

2. Officer Hawks represents a conventional justice system, portrayed as ineffective against brilliant and ruthless killers like Cole and Shaw. In what ways does the novel critique the limitations of law enforcement and the legal process?

3. The art world in the novel is depicted as a cutthroat environment driven by reputation, media gossip, and the commercialization of artists’ personal stories. Does this portrayal feel like a fair commentary on creative industries today?

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

1. The narrative alternates between Mara’s and Cole’s first-person perspectives. How did this dual narration affect your understanding of their actions and motivations? Was there a moment when seeing an event from one character’s point of view significantly changed your interpretation of it?

2. The guide mentions that Mara’s painting The Two Maras directly references the work of Frida Kahlo. What is the significance of artistic allusions and references in the novel, and how does this inform the novel’s main themes and narrative arc?

3. The series explores two dark central relationships: that between Cole and Shaw and that between Cole and Mara. Which of these relationships is the driving force of each book? How does this change, and what effect does this have on the novels’ meanings?

4. The story concludes with Mara and Cole both escaping justice and achieving personal and professional happiness. What kind of statement do you feel the author is making with this unconventional “happily ever after”? How did you react to this resolution on an emotional and/or moral level?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are curating Mara’s next major solo exhibition. What new, original painting would you commission from her to be the centerpiece? Describe what the piece would depict and what you would title it to capture her fully realized identity at the end of the book.

2. Write a short scene from Officer Hawks’s perspective a year after the case is officially closed. What would he be thinking? Would he still harbor suspicions about Cole and feel frustrated by the official narrative, or would he have found a way to move on? Take care to reflect Hawks’s established diction and character.

3. Cole notes that Mara listens to music to reflect her mood and situation, with the novel naming the tracks she listens to. Imagine that Mara creates a playlist for her and Cole to listen to in Venice, Italy. What music would she choose, and how would this express their shared past, feelings, and hopes for the future?