1. Does Anna's reaction to her brother Bill's troubles ring true and believable?

2. What is your impression of Anna's encounter with Kirk Cunningham? Is her choice to leave Tony Nardone for Kirk convincingly justified?

3. Which traits of Anna's character make the townsfolk wary and cautious in her presence?

4. How does Scoppettone's depiction of the detective, Harvard Smolley, tap into familiar television and movie tropes?

5. Is it credible that Kirk's parents and other adults fail to perceive his malevolent nature? Do you believe his deceptive behavior went unnoticed for too long?

6. How does Scoppettone uphold the legacy of Nancy Drew and other teenage girl detectives in her storytelling?

7. In what manner does Scoppettone weave hints and misleading paths throughout the narrative, alerting the reader to details that escape Anna's notice?

8. In what sense does this story serve as an antiromantic novel? How does Anna's choice to remain single for now reflect her evolving maturity?