Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz

1. What was your initial take on Annie's death? Did you think it was truly an accident at any point, or were you convinced from the start that it was a murder?
2. Niamh calls her mom an "obsessive fixer," and ascribes her desire to write to enjoying "having full control over an outcome for once." (p.20). Do you think this desire for control is often an inspiration for novelists?
3. How did you explain Leah's presence, particularly when she first appeared to Niamh? Did you have any theories? Did you consider her Annie's "muse"?
4. What did you think of Leah? Do you feel she was Annie's image of the perfect daughter? Do you think Niamh was justified in envying her, even though Leah's a fictional character?
5. Niamh compares her biography to Leah's (p.22). Why do you feel Niamh was so dismissive of her own abilities?
6. What was your opinion of Leah's and Niamh's relationship? Do you think they were sisters, of a sort? Why or why not?
7. Why do you suppose Niamh was so surprised – and even disbelieving – when others mentioned her parents' belief in her talent?
8. What did you think about Niamh's belief that her mother only moved to a small, rural cottage so that Niamh couldn't move in with her?
9. Niamh and her mother have had a difficult relationship for years. Why do you suppose that was? Was there anything either one could have done to ease the tension between them? What would you have done in Niamh's shoes?
10. In thinking about Niamh's investigation into her mother's death, is there anything you would have done differently? If so, what, and why?
11. Leah remembers past trauma but doesn't dwell on these events because "the present and future are more important" (pp.133-134). What do you think about this attitude? Do you agree with her?
12. Niamh talks about her misophonia (selective sound sensitivity syndrome). How was this condition reflected in the novel? How do you think it impacted her ability to investigate the crime?
13. Niamh coins several terms throughout the novel. Did you have any favorites?
14. What surprised you about the plot? Did you detect any red herrings along the way?
15. What scenes did you particularly enjoy? Were there any you highlighted?
16. Were you surprised by the murderer's identity?
17. Since her debut in 2011, Sarah Lotz has published 20 novels. In addition to those written under her own name, she's participated in several collaborations: as S.L. Grey (with Louis Greenberg); Lily Herne (with her daughter Savannah Lotz); and Helene S. Paige (with Helen Moffett and Paige Nick). Have you read any of this author's other works? If so, which ones, and how did they compare to How to Kill a Crime Writer?
18. What other murder mysteries do you recommend that have a similar theme or flavor? Is there another author you can think of whose work is comparable?
19. To what audience would you recommend How to Kill a Crime Writer?
20. Overall, what did you think of How to Kill a Crime Writer? (No spoilers in this topic, 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.