Night Falls on Predicament Avenue

In 1910, Effie James is living a dream for two. Her younger sister is harboring a secret that has left timid Effie determined to fulfill her daring sister's grand plan of seeking out adventure in their small Iowa town. When a British gentleman arrives, disrupting their peace with efforts to find the wife many claim lived her final days at the now abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue, Effie is thrust into intrigue she couldn't have prepared for. But what she finds inside will forever link her to the scandal staining the house's walls and to a woman whose secrets promise a curse.

A century later, Norah Richman is living out her late-twin's dream of running their great aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue--a place Norah believes nothing good can come out of after her sister's abduction and murder thirteen years ago. Her first guest is a crime historian and podcaster, and Norah resolves to stay far away from the charming and enigmatic man--until another guest is found dead. As they dig deeper, something sinister unfurls that will reveal an ominous unknown far greater than the possibility of death itself.

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Baker Publishing Group.

Book club questions for Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Do you have an abandoned building or house near you, and if so, what stories have you imagined taking place inside its walls?

The story of Predicament Avenue was inspired by an actual newspaper article the author found that was written at the turn of the last century. It included the story of an old house with a very bloody crime scene, the discovery of such, and the question of who had been murdered there. What old newspaper articles have you uncovered that have piqued your curiosity further?

Both Effie and Norah are facing grief. While different, they also parallel each other as they must find hope within their sorrow. How has hope affected your own personal journey with grief, and how has it changed your perspective on the loss of a loved one?

If you were faced with protecting your family by inserting yourself into an active crime investigation or had the option to leave it to authorities with offered police protection, which would you choose and why?

This novel touches on the wildly popular true-crime documentaries, podcasts, books, and the like. What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you believe true crime has been sensationalized, or do you think these types of outlets can assist with cold case investigations?

If you were going to cast the characters of this story for a movie, who would you cast to play the various roles?

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue Book Club Questions PDF

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