Timeslips & Terrors
Reading Group Information
This is a list of relevant questions for book groups. They are divided by story and each question is chronologically ordered and coordinated with each piece. The questions are worded as not to spoil the ending for visitors. Once your group has covered a story feel free to openly discuss it! For maximum benefit you should encourage all participants in the group to open up and join in the discussion. Please feel free to print a copy of this page for your group.
Timeslips & Terrors Book Discussion Questions:
(Questions divided by story)
1. Mandrake
How is Claire changed by the series of events throughout the story?
Is her role as a guardian necessary? How so?
Do you agree or disagree with her final decision regarding what is found in the attic?
She begins the story angry and bitter over her fate. Does this relate to the events in the lives of real people? How many people have assumed the worst only to find an event brings them the greatest joy?
Did Uncle Daniel do the right thing by not telling Claire the details surrounding her inheritance beforehand? Or would that have spoiled the impact it made on her?
2. Stormy Weather
Nathanial is very presumptuous at the beginning of the story. How does this prove that our instincts are often much more accurate than we believe?
His first reaction to the storm is anger. How would you have reacted?
Would you have continued to drive as he did? Or pull aside and wait for the storm to pass?
Do you think that the storm was connected to Last Chance?
What was your first reaction to the town in the story?
Would you have stayed at the Last Chance Resort?
Was Nathanial right for entering the room?
Were his actions reasonable or cowardly?
Would you have reported the crime or returned to your room?
There is a period in the story when, in frustration, Nathanial starts driving to try and find a way out. Yet, changes begin as he drives. He arrives in Last Chance a second time to see time had again changed and the people were from an even older time. What do you think would have happened if he continued driving?
Do you think he was right to remain silent about his experience?
Would you have searched for information on Last Chance and the events of that night? Or tried to forget them?
If the crime were committed today, would the perpetrators be apprehended?
With the aid of technology, do you believe the justice system has improved or developed more problems? Do you believe there will ever be a perfect legal system?
3. Remembering My Isaac
Cynthia wakes up in a frightening state. What would you have done?
The community is vicious. What do you think Isaac should have done? Did he handle the situation well?
The concept of being stranded in the midst of a fire is terrifying. What would you have done in that situation?
When Cynthia wakes in the hospital and has her hateful visitor she knows the truth. Do you think she should have reported it? Would you have? Do you think she was realistic in not expecting a better outcome with the investigation?
Do you believe she will ever find what she is searching for?
Do you think an event like the Salem witch trials was inevitable with the social beliefs at the time? Would it have happened elsewhere if not in that colony?
What was the turning point after the trials?
4. Home Sweet Home
Most of the events in this psychological tale take place in the main character's mind. Do you believe he is haunted by something real or are the beings all in his mind?
What do you believe the beings represent?
What would you do in this situation? Confide in professionals or keep it secret?
What does the ending represent to you?
5. The Creep
Do you find Howard pitiable or repulsive?
Do you think his murderers were a coven of dark forces or a group of people who targeted outcasts?
Do you think the culprits will ever be caught?
Do you think the coroner was right to be suspicious? What would you have done?
Do you think individuals in society are like the portrayal of Howard's neighbors or more like the coroner? Why do you feel this way?
6. The Last Kiss
Grief is a terrible emotion. Do you think the character was mourning his death or dwelling on her guilt?
Do you believe she felt like she killed him?
Have you ever experienced a great amount of guilt? How did you deal with it?
Do you believe he really returned or she was becoming overwhelmed by her emotion?
What do you think happened at the end?
7. The Statue of Ninurta
Do you enjoy archeology or history? Can you relate with Jonathan?
Do you think he deserved his discovery?
Do you think all the years of peer abuse urged him in his destructive direction? Or was it hunger for power? What would you do in a situation like that?
Do you often root for the "underdog" character in films and books? Do you relate more to them?
8. Murder 101
Would you classify Phillip as a monster or simply reacting to what he learned about his wife's activities?
Was his actions justified in any way?
Do you think he should have handled the situation differently?
Did Hugh start to suspect the situation post-trial? How should he have reacted?
9. It's a Small World
Sylvia suspected what was happening. Should she have anticipated the situation more?
What would you do in that situation?
Do you think she made a good choice to drive in that state?
How would you have reacted?
Why do you believe she lingered in a loveless relationship?
10. Green-Eyed Monster
Jealousy often manifests in relationships in different ways. Have you ever experienced it?
Do you think it was right that he read her journals?
Would you have left the house?
Would you have any reaction to reading the accounts of your spouse's/significant other's life before you met?
Do you believe the manifestation of envy was real or in his mind?
Do you believe his guilt will be punishment enough for his crime, or should more have happened to him?
11. Fiona's Mother
Was Fiona a victim of choice or circumstance?
Did she get a dark sense of enjoyment from caring for Mother? Or did she simply do what she had been taught to do?
Do you believe she will ever carry out her desires?
Do you think she is justified in feeling the way she does?
Do you ever think she will come out of her isolation?
12. A Dead Rose
Grief is often accompanied by denial. Have you ever found yourself going through the denial process while grieving?
How should she have handled the situation differently?
Do you think her reaction was common?
What would she have needed to do to cope with her grief?
Would you ever wish someone that had passed on to return as she did at the end? Or do you believe it all happens for a purpose that we aren't in control of?
13. The Unfinished Room
Was Mr. Andrews too confident in his approach to Blue Hills? Was his lack of preparation his downfall?
Should he have attempted to tackle the project in one night?
Do you think Ms. Dixon knew about the room? Did she withhold that information intentionally?
Do you think things would have ended differently if he had approached the room calmly and cautiously?
Was he too jaded by his lack of findings elsewhere to handle Blue Hills correctly?
Do you think he was ever sued? Or was the Dixon family unmasked?
What happened to Mr. Andrews when he came out of the room? Will he ever conquer his inner demons?
Do you think he will investigate again?
14. The Stripper
Was Luke a friend out of convenience or friendship for Don?
Have you known individuals like Luke? Have they ever caused you to behave in ways that weren't appropriate or placed you in unpleasant situations?
Did Don do the right thing in leaving Luke there?
Do you think Don was justified in forgetting Melinda and Luke afterward?
Do you think he should have reported the club to the authorities?
Do you believe Don became an accomplice or a hero for allowing the club's cycle to continue?
15. I'll Keep You Safe
Did Erin use the situation to help her child or enact revenge? Or both?
Was she justified in her actions?
Do you think she handled the situation as best she could? Should she have chosen another path?
Do you think mothers have the right to protect their children as she did? Did Erin go too far?
What do you think happened afterward?
Do you feel the story is empowering or destructive? Why?