Discussion Guide for The Map Quilt by Lisa J Lickel
1. How did the prologue set up the story for the present? Did
you feel as if were back in time on the journey with Sasha and Missie and her
little boy?
2. The author departs from the traditional single point of
view of having one person, the sleuth, show what's happening in The
Map Quilt, by letting Hart, the male protagonist, live out his side of the
events. Does this practice help or hinder solving the mystery?
3. How did you see the character Hart develop throughout the
story? What were his real issues?
4. Hart and Judy have a great relationship with Hart’s
mother, Ellen. It takes both parents and children to make that happen. What
ways were they helpful and encouraging to each other? What were their conflicts
and how did they resolve them?
5. Ardyth Belters Edwards is in her seventies while Judy is
still in her late twenties/early thirties. What makes their friendship work? Is
it healthy to have such a close companion who is so different age-wise?
6. Ardyth and Bryce
married when they were in their seventies. Ardyth had been married before and
had certain expectations of Bryce, who had never been married. What were they?
How did they handle their problems? What was Ardyth’s secret and why was she
afraid to tell anyone?
7. Pancho Villa the cat, like his father Carranza, has
unique talents. What were they, and how they help or hinder the story?
8. Julietta Barslow
carried a huge secret burden. What was it, and why was she afraid to talk about
it? Did you believe her story?
9. Are Hart and Judy a typical contemporary couple? Why or
why not? What struggles and triumphs did they share?
10. Hart’s
supervisor, John Harding, was troubled on many fronts. What were some of his
problems and how did he deal with them? What happened to him?
11. Ardyth felt guilty about her grandson Bryan’s behavior.
Do you think she deserved to feel that way? Have you ever blamed yourself for
someone else’s actions?
12. Cheyenne Valley, Wisconsin, is a real place, settled by
black farmers in the early days of Wisconsin history. How did the Talbots and
the Burnses come into the story and what information did they have that was
crucial to solving the case?
13. What was the buried
treasure in The Map Quilt, and what
clues led to finding it?
14. Which characters had the most to lose? Which had the
most to gain? Have you ever worried about the choices of your family members?
How did you handle it?
