This Book Will Bury Me

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, gender discrimination, and ableism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1.  What were your overall impressions of this book’s depictions of the true-crime sleuthing world? How does it compare to other novels that deal with the true-crime genre—for example, Katherine Greene’s The Lake of Lost Girls?

2.  How did you respond to Jane’s narrative voice? Did your impression change over the course of the novel?

3. Have you read any other books by this author, such as The Last Housewife? How does This Book Will Bury Me compare in style, subject matter, etc.?

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

1.  How did you react to this novel’s depictions of brutal violence? Do you think that the author’s use of violence helped her construct a dramatic narrative, or did you find it gratuitous?

2.  How do you feel about the popularity of true-crime media? Do you find true-crime stories compelling? Why or why not?

3.  Did you find the group’s willingness to break various ethical rules relatable? Is Jane’s decision to impersonate a student in order to obtain information about the case ethically defensible? Why or why not?

4. What did you make of the novel’s depiction of grief? Did the characters’ responses to loss ring true to you?

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

1.  This Book Will Bury Me notes several stereotypes associated with people who commit violent crimes—that they are always male, that they have a mental illness, etc. Consider the novel’s depictions of Odell, Lizzie, and Citizen. To what extent do their portrayals challenge or affirm stereotypes, and why might this matter?

2. The novel deals heavily with online spaces, examining the relationships that form there and the potential pitfalls associated with them. How does its portrayal contribute to ongoing discussions about online extremism, cyberbullying, parasocial relationships, etc.?

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

1.  Choose one of the book’s characters. What kind of personality traits define them? How do they relate to the novel’s other characters? How might they help the author engage with her key themes?

2.  What role do Florida and Idaho play in the novel’s narrative? How does the author use these states’ real-life characteristics to add drama to her story?

3.  How do you understand the book’s title? How might it contribute to the novel’s broader exploration of true-crime media?

4. Given that The Human Desire for Answers and Explanations is a major theme, how effective did you find the novel’s conclusion? Did the answers it provided satisfy you, and if not, do you think this was intentional?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1.  Do you think this novel would make a good film? Whom would you cast in the lead roles, and why?

2.  Imagine a sequel to this novel. Would Jane and her group reunite to investigate another case? What might they have learned from their fraught experience with the Delphine murders?