Discussion Guide
The Body Business
Feel free to use these questions regarding The Body Business as discussion points for your reading group.
- In The Body Business, what does Samantha’s situation say about being a solitary working woman in today’s world?
- Many people have had at least one job where, no matter how hard they tried, they were thwarted in their efforts to succeed. Can you relate to that experience?
- Gertie’s baked goodies and chicken soup, Dottie’s country cooking (including fresh pecan and apple pies), or Carter’s special steak recipe. Did any of these made you want to taste them, too?
- What does Serenity Ranch mean to Carter Chapman? Does it mean something different to Samantha?
- One reviewer called E.B. Odom “the kind of villain you love to hate.” Why do you think fictional villains entertain us?
- Which character surprised you the most, and why?
- Gertie and Samantha enjoy a close intergenerational relationship. How would you characterize it? Why does it work for them?
- When Samantha finally gets a peek behind the door to Carter’s inner sanctum, what do you think she sees?
- Though the bond between Samantha and Carter seems strong, do you think they will continue to be a couple?
- Where do you think Carter Chapman went?
Discussion Guide
The Body Next Door
Feel free to use these questions regarding The Body Next Door as discussion points for your reading group.
- Despite the seriousness of the suspense-driven plot, some characters and situations in the book are humorous. How does this reflect real life?
- Samantha gives her little rental car a name. Have you ever named a car you owned?
- Throughout the story, Samantha seems to fluctuate between disdain and pity for Brandy. What are your impressions of Brandy’s character?
- Fear of heights is a bugbear for Samantha. She’s also challenged by random negative experiences. How do they reveal her character? What are her strengths and weaknesses?
- What, if anything, does Samantha’s situation say about being a solitary woman in today’s world?
- Samantha meets some odd characters in the elevator. Have you encountered a memorable stranger during an elevator ride?
- Gertie and Samantha enjoy a close intergenerational relationship. How would you characterize it? Why does it work for them?
- While stocking up for her ice cream pity-party, an old song makes Samantha want to flee from the grocery store. Is there a particular song that drives you crazy?
- As the mystery unfolded, who was your prime suspect? What made you think so? Did your opinion change before the mystery was solved?
- What does Serenity Ranch mean to Carter Chapman? Does it mean something different to Samantha?
- There are two sets of siblings in the book: Lizzie and T.J., Kerry and Courtney. How are these sets of children alike? How are they different?
- Several items play important roles in the story. Among them are Samantha’s deceased mother’s ring, mysterious envelopes that might hold possible clues, and the strange object Sam finds under the bed. What is the purpose of each?
- Is the resolution of the crime satisfactory? If not, why not?
- When Gertie dismisses Samantha’s dilemma over Carter as “just geography,” is that true? Even though their bond seems strong, do you think they will always be a couple?
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