Hello Book Friends!
Amy here again! I’ve missed you, but appreciate your patience as life comes at me like a roller coaster! I had to make sure I was back for the spookiest of months though and to read an appropriate book together: The Stroke of Thirteen! Let’s dive into a supernatural mystery for the supernatural month! Or this is our master post of discussion questions, you can make any month have October vibes once more.
When Grace Pembleton inherited her grandfather’s business in rural Pennsylvania, she had no idea what else she was in for. She thought life as a bed-and-breakfast owner would be a quiet one, that the only trouble she’d encounter would be making enough coffee for guests.
What she gets instead is a violent gnome, a resident ghost, a secret society, and continuous brushes with the supernatural. Even with new friends at her side, she struggles to fulfill her family’s legacy of protecting the town.
Then a new threat arises, and it wants Grace.
Spooooky, right?
Happy to be back, so let’s get reading!!
The Stroke of Thirteen Book Links – Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop.org
Suggested Reading Schedule
- Week One — Chapters 1-5
- Week Two — Chapters 6-9
- Week Three — Chapters 10-13
- Week Four — Chapters 13-17
The Stroke of Thirteen Discussions Questions Week One
We’re starting out learning all about our characters and location! Let’s talk about the beginning of this book:
-What do we learn about the characters and setting in the opening chapters?
-How does a bed and breakfast make for a great mystery setting? What twists could come from such a setting?
-Do you think the statue is going to play an important part in the coming chapters? What predictions do you have?
-How do Grace and her grandfather differ? Do you think one is more right than the other in how they handle things? Why?
-What do you think about the social media aspect of the book? Does it help you to learn about the characters? What can you learn about Grace from her screen name?
-How does the town differ from other towns? What role does the setting play and how is Grace learning to navigate her family’s history and reputation there?
-Grace describes the town’s energy as attracting these creatures. Have you heard of any towns or places like that? How does it work with what we know about cities with cryptids, like Mothman or Bigfoot?
-Have you heard of any of the creatures in this world? What background do you have in supernatural creatures?
-What predictions do you have about the mysteries of the town? Do you think the incident at the library has anything to do with the murder? Are there potentially other mysteries you see that will tie into them?
-What do you think about Grace, Phee, and Rosie’s friendship?
-Any predictions you have? What makes you think that?
The Stroke of Thirteen Discussions Questions Week Two
The mystery is really picking up!
Let’s pick up to see what happens to Grace next!
– What could the changing weather mean?
– What role does friendship play in the text? Family?
– What kind of tropes does the Septu Club utilize?
– Do you notice anything specific about the death omens? What could each one mean? Do you think they correspond to the hour they happen in?
– Mysteries are famous for having red herrings. Do you think anything so far is a red herring in this book? What do you think are important clues versus red herrings?
– In what ways is the town itself involved in the mystery?
– ”People do not like to remember the bad things they have done.” How does this quote give further insight into the plot? – Does Grace’s family want to remember what they have done or forget? How about the town? The Septu Club?
– How does the history of the town play a role in the present? – What role might Grace have? The other families?
– How are the various mysteries of the town coming together? What elements do you think are most important? How do you think they are going to conclude?
– What do you think about Grace’s father’s secret? What does it mean for Grace? For her family legacy?
– We are starting to get close to the climax! What predictions do you have?
The Stroke of Thirteen Discussions Questions Week Three
We’re officially more than halfway through the book and things are getting tense! Let’s keep going!
-Is Grace going off alone brave? Stupid? Chivalrous? Selfish? What are your thoughts? Would you have done the same in her situation or something else?
-How do you feel when you gaze at the stars?
What do you think you would miss the most if it were your last day on earth?
-How are all the clues coming together?
-What does Jacob’s journal reveal? How does it help or hinder Grace? How does it explain the family legacy?
-Do you agree with Grace? What role does family legacy play when facing long ago hurts?
-How is Grace tackling both the threat to her life and the threat to the town? Are the two connected? How are they separate?
We are ending on quite the cliff hanger! What are your predictions for the last quarter of the book? How will all the loose ends come together?
Do you think Grace is going to be able to stay true to her beliefs and change the culture of the town and her family? Make amends? Fix the town’s energy? We are definitely going to find out!
The Stroke of Thirteen Discussions Questions Week Four
OK! I don’t know about all of you, but the air is finally crisp here, it’s officially spooky week, and I am ready to face some supernatural creatures! Let’s see what was really going on with Grace!
-Are the supernatural beings justified in their feelings about Grace and their want of revenge? How do Nuray and Jamison differ in their revenge plots?
-How did the author drop hints about the statue? Did you expect this twist?
-How was Grace able to solve at least one of the mysteries in the town?
-How does Franklin help to explain some of the other mysteries of the town?
-Has Grace grown by the end of the book? How is she planning to change the town?
-What other secrets do you think the town might hold? Its residents?
-What would you say are some themes found in the book? How does it explore and expand on them?
-The end of the book is the original appearance of Grace and some background on her appearance in Witch Wood. How does having that background affect how you feel about the rest of the book?
Make sure to leave a rating and review of the book if you enjoyed it! Or start reading The Stroke of Thirteen today!
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