Discussion Questions

Getting Away is Deadly

In this Mom Zone book, Ellie accompanies her husband, Mitch, to a training class in Washington D.C. Have you ever been the accompanying spouse? Have you ever tried combining work and vacation?

What was the best vacation you've ever gone on? The worst? Where would you like to get away?

Ellie visits many of the top sight-seeing destinations in Washington, including the Capitol, the monuments, and the Smithsonian museums. Which attractions would be your top choices to visit?

Since Ellie's vacation is about one week long, the entire story had to happen during that limited window of time. What constraints do you think that placed on the author?

One of the topics Getting Away explores is pregnancy. Ellie and Abby are both pregnant and Irene is trying to get pregnant again. What are their various attitudes toward pregnancy and how do those attitudes reveal character?

Ellie and the “band of mothers,” the other military spouses on the sight-seeing tour, don't get along perfectly all the time. Describe their moments of conflict as well as their camaraderie. Have you ever traveled with girlfriends? Do you think a trip with girlfriends would bring you closer together or drive you apart?

How does each woman in the sight-seeing group--Ellie, Abby, Nadia, Gina, and Irene--represent a different stage of motherhood?

In the last book, Staying Home is a Killer , Ellie had to deal with Livvy's separation anxiety when Mitch deployed. In Getting Away is D eadly , Ellie has her own separation issues when she vacations without Livvy. Is her mix of excitement and guilt a typical “mom attitude” when the kids aren't included in a vacation? Do moms sometimes need a vacation from mothering?

Ellie meets a Korean veteran, Jay MacInally, who tells Ellie his memories of the conflict. Why do you think the author picked a Korean veteran, rather than a veteran from other wars, such as the Vietnam War or the more recent Gulf War conflicts?

Once again Ellie gets her fingers in too many pies—organizing the room for Summer's employer, trying to clear Summer when she gets mixed up in the murder investigation, and helping her cousin contact the Korean vet. Why do you think Ellie lets herself get so deeply involved in so many peoples' lives? Is she a meddler? Or is she too obliging?

 

Staying Home is a Killer

Have you or your family ever been involved in a military deployment? D o you think it's harder to go or to stay behind?

Ellie has to deal with her daughter's separation anxiety as well as the stress of being suddenly, although temporarily, single. Did you ever have a time in your life when you where suddenly single? How did you deal with the change?

Staying Home introduces two new characters, Victor Roth and Oscar Marsali. What did you initially think of each character? What clues did the author give you to reveal each character's personality? Were you correct in your assessments of Victor and Oscar?

Ellie is so busy taking care of Livvy and running everything while Mitch is gone that she doesn't think about wanting to have a second baby until Abby finds out she's pregnant. How does Ellie react to the situation? How does it help her understand herself better?

Both Ellie and Marsali are alone throughout most of the story. How are their situations of loneliness similar and how are they different? How do they each deal with their loneliness?

As Ellie organizes Clarissa Bedford's closet, she finds only a few possessions of Clarissa's. How does this lack of belongs contrast with the more usual situation of having too much junk? What does that tell us about Clarissa? And, what do the few items Ellie does discover of Clarissa's—stiletto heels, make-up, and a doily—tell us about her?

In Moving is Murder Ellie viewed her neighbor Mabel Parsons as the neighborhood busybody. How does Ellie's view of her change in the second book?

When Ellie's husband, Mitch, returns from his deployment, Ellie is excited and nervous. Did this reaction surprise you?

One theme of many mysteries is the overlooked treasure—Elizabeth Peters often used this device in her novels, especially her stand-alone books. Did you enjoy reading about the lost ancient manuscript? Were you disappointed when it turned out to be a fake? Why do you think the author used that situation as the resolution?

 

Moving is Murder

Allowing that Moving is Murder is a work of fiction and most military spouses don't find dead bodies and or solve a murder, do you think Moving is Murder accurately depicts some day-to-day experiences of military spouses, like moving and navigating squadron politics? Do you agree with the way Ellie is portrayed? If you're a military souse, do Ellie's experiences reflect any of your own experiences as a military spouse? If you're not a military spouse, can you identify with Ellie's struggles to adjust to a new community—both on-base and off?

One theme running through Moving is Murder is motherhood. Ellie struggles to find the “right” parenting philosophy. Did you face a similar challenge when you became a parent? How important to the book is Ellie's role as a mom? How would the story change if Ellie wasn't a mom?

One of the hallmarks of a traditional mystery (or cozy) is the setting of a small community, often a village. How is the squadron like a small town? Ellie isn't a “joiner” and initially wants to avoid involvement in the squadron. How do you balance the need for community, yet retain your individuality?

Another main theme of Moving is Murder is change. What changes does Ellie face and how does she cope with them? By the end of the story, Ellie's seen the small changes in Livvy as she grows and matures (sleeping through the night, able to grasp toys on her own). What other characters change? And does Ellie's perception of other characters change as the story progresses?

Ellie has trouble saying “no” and she likes to be in control. How do those characteristics make her life as a military spouse more difficult? Ultimately, Ellie concludes she can't control everything. Has there been a point in your life when you reached the same conclusion and do you think Ellie will be able to keep this new perspective in the next book?