The Reluctant Hostess

1. Mrs. Herron begrudgingly accepted the impending visit from Cousin Martin, remarking with a resigned sigh, "Well, what can you do when it's a relative? You have to let him come." Is there an unspoken obligation to welcome family, even when you'd rather not? Might it be simpler to turn away someone not bound by familial ties?

The Enigmatic Cousin Martin

2. Though she had only just made his acquaintance, Cousin Martin's presence left Katie uneasy. How does Katie's mother react upon meeting him for the first time? What impression of him does the author craft through the narrative?

Intruding on Domestic Secrets

3. Within the Herron household, Katie found herself ill at ease amidst the intimate family discussions. How do you navigate the discomfort of being an outsider privy to another family's personal matters?

The Dilemma of Disclosure

4. Should Katie have mentioned the barren drawers in the guest room when the police came calling? Would revealing this detail have implicated her by suggesting she had been snooping?

Literary Reflections

5. Revisit the Emerson poem introduced early in the narrative. In what ways does it intertwine with the unfolding story?

Unraveling Mysteries

6. At what moment did the identity of the child hidden away in the attic become clear to you? When did the pieces fall into place regarding the murderer? What breadcrumbs led you to these revelations?

Criminal Curiosity

7. Ponder the reasons why those who commit crimes often find themselves drawn back to the scene of their misdeeds.

Drawn to Disaster

8. Places marked by tragedy, whether through accidents, natural disasters, or crimes, often become magnets for the curious. What drives people to flock to these troubled sites?

The Moral Quandary

9. Can the act of murder ever be seen as justifiable?

Healing from Hurt

10. What alternative paths could these individuals have taken to cope with the wounds and fury born from child abuse?