Book Club Discussion Questions and More for A Deed of Dreadful Note
Has your book club read one of my books? Wondering what to discuss when you meet?
I recently had the honor of joining a book club discussion of my latest book, A Deed of Dreadful Note, over Zoom. So much fun!
The month before, I joined a discussion of The Leavenworth Case, which was equally as awesome!
Seriously, it is such a joy for me to get the chance to hear what people think about my book and to share more about Anna Katharine Green and her impact on the mystery genre.
Here on my website, I’ve tried to provide a plethora of background information for those interested in learning more about the research behind my historical mysteries. I’ve also come up with a list of discussion questions and have shared some specific links below to aid your Book Club’s discussion!
— Discussion Questions for A Deed of Dreadful Note —
1. Before reading this book, had you ever heard of Anna Katharine Green? Have you read The Leavenworth Case?
2. Do you consider yourself an avid reader of mysteries? With which authors of the genre are you most familiar? Have you read (or even heard of) Agatha Christie? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? Wilkie Collins? Dorothy L. Sayers? Edgar Allan Poe? Louisa May Alcott?
Head here for a complete timeline of Anna Katharine Green and the History of Mystery Fiction to find out where Anna falls in the timeline compared to these other authors’ important contributions to the mystery genre.
3. A Deed of Dreadful Note is a piece of historical fiction, created by blending The Leavenworth Case with Anna’s personal history, recorded thoughts, and relationships since, as she said herself, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Where possible, I have used Anna’s own words to capture the grace and wit with which she approached the world and her writing, in particular.
Did you have any favorite quotes from the book? Any lines that really stuck out to you? Find out if they were originally written by Anna Katharine Green or me by checking out this list of all of the quotes incorporated into the novel!
4. With which character did you most identify? If you could take one character out for a cup of tea or coffee, which would it be and why?
5. Was there anything surprising about the book? Did you learn anything new? (Other than about Anna Katharine Green herself!)
6. Did you guess the murderer before the ending?
7. Were there any themes that seemed especially important to you in the book?
8. One of my favorite quotes from Anna Katharine Green is this one: “I have found that the incidents in books which people pick out as improbable are the very ones which are founded on fact. Truth is stranger than fiction.” Do you find this to be true in your experience?
(This quote comes from an article she wrote entitled “Why Human Beings Are Interested in Crime?” which was published in 1919. You can read the full article here!)
Bonus question: Have you read Agatha Christie’s debut novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles? Have you read The Leavenworth Case? If so, note the similarities between the two—it is clear in an instant that Christie was greatly inspired by Green!
Having now read A Deed of Dreadful Note, I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Leavenworth Case!
Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive Anna Katharine Green’s The Leavenworth Case, complete with my introduction, for FREE! Prefer audiobook? Pick up our edition read by Andrew D. Meredith anywhere audiobooks are sold! Support local and purchase it through Libro.fm here!
— Learn more about Anna Katharine Green —
Watch my YouTube Channel playlist all about Anna Katharine Green.
AKG and I have a lot in common, it turns out! Watch my video and read this post to learn why I consider Anna Katharine Green my sister from another century.
Read Mary Hatch’s thoughts on her cousin and best friend Anna Katharine Green in an article originally published in 1889.
November 11th is Anna Katharine Green’s birthday! Read this post to learn more about her impact on mystery fiction.
Find my full review, great quotes, and learn how Anna Katharine Green inspired Agatha Christie here from when I re-read The Clocks, and began to really research who this Green woman was.
Read my full review and great quotes here from the first time I read The Leavenworth Case.
Find my full review and great quotes here from the first time I read That Affair Next Door, the first Miss Butterworth case.
What’s cooler than having the author join you for your discussion?!
I would love to meet with you! Contact me today about joining your discussion by emailing me at author(at)patricia-meredith.com. I’d love to answer all your questions and reveal more about the research, writing process, and character development that went into the writing of the book!
I am available for both in-person and virtual events. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Find more discussion questions and history for my other books under the menu heading “Book Clubs.”
— Pick up your own copy! —
Ebook—Amazon
Audiobook—Wherever audiobooks are sold! Support local and order through Libro.fm!
Print—Order a signed copy from me here! Support local and ask your favorite independent bookstore to order in a copy! Also available through Amazon.
You can also add my books to your Want to Read list on Goodreads! Follow my Author Page while you’re there! Add A Deed of Dreadful Note to your list here!
Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive Anna Katharine Green’s The Leavenworth Case, complete with my introduction, for FREE! Prefer audiobook? Pick up our edition read by Andrew D. Meredith anywhere audiobooks are sold! Support local and purchase it through Libro.fm here!
– Follow Me –
Sign up for my newsletter to receive my newest blogs delivered straight to your inbox. This includes notification of my newest videos featuring sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes for all my books! You’ll receive Anna Katharine Green’s The Leavenworth Case, complete with my introduction, for FREE for signing up!
Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to hear the latest news concerning new book releases and events. And of course, subscribe to my YouTube channel!
You can also add my books to your Want to Read list on Goodreads! Follow my Author Page while you’re there to hear when a new book is added!
Thank you for reading, watching, and supporting me and my writing!