Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism, ableism, and death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel combines historical fiction with a murder mystery. What did you think of this combination of genres, and which elements in the story most interested you?

2. What insights does McBride’s 1996 memoir, The Color of Water, offer into the novel? What connections can you identify between the author’s life and the characters and situations in the story?

3. Compare and contrast the novel with McBride’s other works of historical fiction, such as Song Yet Sung (2008), The Good Lord Bird (2013), and Deacon King Kong (2020). What similarities and differences do you notice in the stories’ themes, tones, and explorations of race and gender? If this is your first time reading McBride, are you interested in reading more?

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

1. One of the novel’s key themes is building community across cultures. Within your own life, who has shown you the value of learning from diverse perspectives? What do you think it takes to build a truly strong and inclusive community?