General:
- What drew you into the story first—Michelle’s sleuthing skills, the university setting, or the nostalgia of the 1970s?
- Did the 1970s backdrop feel authentic? What details stood out to you? Did the university town setting contribute to the story’s tone and atmosphere?
- Which character felt the most relatable—or suspicious—to you?
- What were your first impressions of the protagonist? Did your opinion change as the story progressed?
- Which clues did you pick up on early? Were there any red herrings that fooled you?
- How did Michelle’s relationships—with T.J., Craig, and others—shape the investigation and emotional stakes?
- How did the romantic tension affect your reading experience? Were you rooting for a particular pairing
Deep Dive Questions:
- How does Michelle’s role as a student and commuter influence her investigations?
- What themes stood out most to you (e.g., ambition, trust, justice)? How were they developed through the mystery?
- Were there moments in the story that reflected or critiqued the era’s culture, especially around figure skating, journalism, or gender roles?
- What clues did you pick on up early in the story that made you question certain characters?
Wrap-Up Reflection:
- What was your biggest “aha!” moment in the book?
- What was your favorite scene or chapter—and why?
- Were you satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?
- Were you surprised by the identity of the murderer? Why or why not?
- What setting would you love to see Michelle investigate in the future?
The Peculiar Case of the Petersburg Professor
LAWRENCE AND TASHA DEBATE U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN THE VIETNAM WAR
- When was the Vietnam War?
- Why did the USA get involved in the Vietnam War?
- Why did the USA use chemical weapons?
- How did the media impact the Vietnam War?
MICHELLE UPSETS HER PARENTS BY ATTENDING COLLEGE AND NOT WANTING A LIFE ON THE FARM
- How do you handle family and/or friends who oppose your life choices?
- How do you handle toxic situations where “cutting them out of your life” is not an option?
MICHELLE DISCOVERS CORRUPTION AND COVER-UPS INVOLVING PEOPLE IN POWER.
- Do you think that some people are above the law, or will justice come for everyone eventually?
Fashionably Fit, Fatally Flawed
Michelle’s father refused to listen to any argument against the US involvement in the Vietnam War.
- How do you handle talking about political issues with people who have a different viewpoint than yours?
- Do you find it more difficult than in years past for people to be able to say, “We may disagree on this issue, but we can still be friends”?
- Why are politics so divisive?
Michelle invents a cover story so she can go with Craig to Langford’s gym and get information that will hopefully clear Caroline’s name.
- Would you consider Michelle’s cover story simply part of her job? Or would you consider her story “telling a lie”?
- Is there such a thing as a “little white lie” or are all lies equal?
Michelle clearly has feelings for T.J. and battles the urge to enlighten T.J. about Meg’s faults.
- How do you handle it when you see someone you care about forming a friendship with someone you have questions about? Do you keep quiet? Or do you share your opinion?
- How did the setting—a small university town in 1975—shape your expectations for the mystery? Did it feel cozy or ominous?
- What role did figure skating play in the story beyond being the backdrop? Did it enhance the mystery or reveal character motivations?
- How effective is Michelle as an amateur detective? What are her strengths—and what blind spots get her into trouble?
- The love triangle between Michelle, Craig, and T.J. creates emotional tension. Who were you rooting for, and why?
- Why is it so hard for Michelle to decide if she has feelings for T.J.?
- Secrets and lies are central themes in this book. How do they affect character relationships?
- Many characters have secrets. Who did you trust least at the beginning, and were you right?
- How do the subplots—like the mystery surrounding Sarah’s death and the threat to Michelle’s family—intersect with the main murder case? Did anything feel too coincidental, or did it all come together naturally?
- How does the university setting—ice rinks, lounges, classrooms, and gift shops—contribute to the story’s tone and pacing?
- Michelle’s relationships with Tasha, her family, and others offer emotional grounding. Which of these relationships stood out to you?
- Do you think the novel was more about solving the mystery or exploring emotional themes like ambition, fear, or first love?
- Did any cultural or historical details from the 1970s stand out to you—positively or negatively? How might the story have changed in a modern setting?
- Were you surprised by the identity of the killer and their motive? Did the final clues feel earned?
- What do you think the title Icy Secrets, Scandalous Lies refers to most? The skating world? The university? Michelle’s own circle?
- How satisfying was the ending for you—both emotionally and plot-wise? Were there any loose threads you’re curious to see resolved?
- What do you hope happens next for Michelle? Are there unresolved mysteries or character arcs you want more of?
