5. What happens when Stephanie and Lula attempt to bring in Briggs again and what might this suggest about Stephanie's ultimate success as a bounty hunter?

6. Why is Fred in a dispute with the garbage company and does it seem like something an average person would bother with?

7. Why do you think Grandma Mazur wants Stephanie to find Fred?

8. What is on Lula's car when Stephanie and Lula return to it from shopping and what is Stephanie's reaction?

9. What is ironic about Fred taking his garbage bags out behind the butcher's?

10. Why is Stehanie's income uncertain and she must be good at what she does?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stephanie is presented as a bumbler but who ultimately is successful despite the comical and sometimes dangerous situations in which she finds herself. Discuss one of the following:

1. Do you think Stephanie sees herself as a bumbler? Does Joe Morelli see her that way? Does Ranger?

2. What personality traits makes Stephanie so appealing to men? Which ones might be a turn off to them?

3. Discuss two of Stephanie's strong points and two of her flaws and how they affect her actions in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Some of Stephanie's friendship have a history that goes back to a time when Stephanie is a young girl. Some of them at the very least go back to her high school years. Discuss the following:

1. Choose one of Stephanie's long-term friendships and thoroughly analyze it to include why you think it has lasted and if you think it is a relationship that has "depth" to it.

2. What are the advantages of having friendships for many decades?

3. What are the disadvantages of having decades-long friendships?

4. There is a musical round whose first lines are "Make new friends, but keep the old." Do you think this is good advice?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 13, when Stephanies talks to Mabel's, she learns nothing new except that Mabel has gone on a spending spree and appears to be optimistic that Fred will never return. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Mabel is in denial and is merely taking advantage of the situation until Fred's return? Why or why not.

2. What are some aspects of Fred's character that makes it believable that Mabel would be celebrating his demise?

3. How do you think Mabel would respond to Fred's returning to her alive and well?

4. Should Mabel welcome Fred back if she learns of his infidelity?

(see the answer keys)

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