Book Club Discussion Guide

CIMARRON FALLS

Are there special places you traveled as a child that you still visit today?
Do you have any frightening memories from childhood that you still think about, or even dream about, today?
How do you think those events from Erica’s childhood shaped her personality? Do you think they led to her interest in entering the FBI?
Sophia talks about birth order traits. How does your birth order inform the way you interact with others, especially in a crisis? What if you’re an only child?
Could you see your family dropping everything to go help with a family crisis? What kind of crisis would draw that kind of response?
Have you ever written an anonymous letter, or wanted to?
Do you think Dean’s growing dementia caused him to write the letter, or do you think it was a last-ditch effort to do the right thing?
How do you think Erica wishes her Dad had responded when Dan cheated on her? Why do you think he responded so poorly?
Dean and Bea’s marriage relationship is very old-fashioned. Do you think all three very competent, successful daughters are products of this? Did your parents’ marriage effect the way you turned out?
It is obvious that the author is very moved by the scenery she describes. Where would you set a book if you were to write one?

Can you relate to the sisters setting aside childhood issues with their father in order to help him with this mystery and his dementia?
Can you relate to the girls having a better relationship with one parent than the other?
Do you discuss childhood issues with your own siblings? Is it helpful, or not?
What do you think about Lauren’s statement that good-looking guys have it easier than other people? Have you ever been wary of someone because of their looks?
Will his good looks help River get back on track? Is he too entitled?
What do you think of Winston Baker III”s insistence that this case is like the story from True Grit?
Do you think Erica had a feeling about the marshal – even as early as their first meeting at True Grit Café? Was she influenced by his good looks?
When Bea admits that Dean pushed her recently, did you suspect he could have pushed Lauren off the Falls?
What did you think of Dean’s daughters confronting him at breakfast that morning when he criticized the fattening pancake meal?
How would you handle it if a family member came out to you as gay? How would your faith convictions inform your reaction?
Is there someone in your life who can “read” you like Bea reads Christina from afar after Dean said he was not happy for her and Ruth?

Now that you know how it ends, do you think it was because of the marshal that Erica had the nightmare in his bed?
Do you think the marshal is conflicted or do you think he’s sinister in deciding to keep seeing her?
Do you know someone like Ruth who makes everyone feel peaceful in her presence? What is it about that kind of person?
If you are a person of faith, has your faith evolved away from that of your parents?
Were you surprised when Ruth and Dean hit it off so well?
Why do you think River finally told the truth about Lauren breaking up with him?
What does it say about Lauren’s mental health that she handled tripping over Jessica and River together so well?

Why did Erica get so mad when the marshal called her family crazy?
What did you think about Dean’s admissions during a “dementia spell?”
Were the Bakers different than how you thought they’d be? Why do you think the marshal disliked them?
What did you think of Erica’s premonition about the gold crucifix? Do you believe in signs?
Erica and Ryan have a great mother/daughter relationship. What is your relationship like with your children who are becoming adults?
Do you think Dean will stay true to his response to Bea’s ultimatum?
By the end of the book, do you have confidence in Erica’s ability to become an FBI agent?
Were you surprised when two murders were exposed in one day? How do you think both effected Erica?
Should there be a sequel?