Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Haven't Killed in Years by Amy K. Green

1. Haven't Killed in Years begins: "On the day my mother was released from prison I stubbed my toe four times. Same toe. Four times. It was a statistical anomaly and, in hindsight, a warning that bad things were coming my way." What did you think of this opening? In what ways did you feel it set the stage for the rest of the novel?
2. Gwen finds a dismembered arm in a box at her door and opts to move it (and the subsequent body part she discovers) to another location to by found by someone else. Why do you suppose she takes this course of action? In her circumstances, do you think her actions were reasonable?
3. In narrating her story, Gwen states very early on that she tries to be normal (e.g., in the way she dresses, in her work, in the men she dates) but that she doesn't really think she is, given her past. What do you think? Is she normal, or has she been warped by events?
4. Gwen states that her father was abusive – he cut symbols into her side, sometimes wouldn't let her eat for days, killed in front of her – yet she bonded with him as a child (p.55). Why do you believe that was?
5. Dominic's business is hosting "Abel Haggerty Murder Tours," taking people to sites associated with Haggerty's crimes. What's your opinion of this profession? Have you heard of anything like it in real life? Would you go on such a tour?
6. When Gwen asks Dominic about his motivation for writing about her father, he says, "It feels like there's a key to life and death, and if I can figure it out, I can transcend it." She responds, "I don't think it's about transcending. I think it's about accepting…Once you can understand that you're just another thing on this planet, you can accept it and it frees you." (pp 66-67). What's your take on this conversation? Do you agree with Gwen's point?
7. Gwen recalls her father telling her, "You cannot assume everyone is out to get you; you have to assume they want something from you…and their want is their weakness." (pp 83-84). What's your opinion about this advice? Do you think it served Gwen well, given the events that transpire?
8. Why do you think Gwen is so protective of Porter, and why she never suspects that he's involved in the crimes? Did you suspect him at any point?
9. What did you think of the narrative shift to Natalie's point of view in Part 2?
10. Why do you suppose Natalie was able to stalk Gwen for eight years, but Gwen never picked up on her presence?
11. After Natalie claims to be Marin, Gwen feels partially responsible and thinks, "I had created Natalie all by myself." What do you think she means? Do you agree with her? What responsibility do you think she bears for Natalie's behavior?
12. Gwen wonders if her infatuation with Elyse is due to "the idea that our lives were both shaped so significantly by [Abel], yet so different. Some kind of nature-versus-nurture experiment, but more like unyielding exposure to him versus one life-altering moment at his hands." (p. 194). What do you think of her perspective here? In what ways do you think Abel "created" each of the girls?
13. Gwen states that "Cody had had the best chance out of all of us. He'd been sent to a loving home with no memories of what had happened. Elyse and I should have been the crazy ones." (p. 342). This sentiment is later echoed by Elyse (p. 356). Why do you suppose the three's lives turned out as they did?
14. Why do you think Gwen felt she needed to see Declan Harris after the events of the book? Did she find what she was looking for, in your opinion?
15. At the end of the book, Gwen tells Elyse she knows what happened to her Elyse's family was her fault, and Elyse concurs. Do you think Elyse forgives Gwen? Do you think Gwen forgives herself?
16. Who did you suspect of being the person stalking Gwen? Did your opinion shift as you read, or were you pretty sure you knew what was going on throughout?
17. What plot twist surprised you the most?
18. Did you read Green's previous novel, The Prized Girl, and if so, how did it compare to this one?
19. To what audience would you recommend Haven't Killed in Years? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
20. Overall, what did you think of Haven't Killed in Years? (no spoilers, please!)

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Berkley Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.