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1. Professor Wolfgang Beckman accuses Scott of having no respect for the murk. For

the blackly unexplained. The un-nail downable. How does Scotts perspective on

mystery and the blackly unexplained change over the course of the novel?

2. Nora asks Scott, How much evidence do you need before you wonder if itjust might

be real? Do you think Scotts skepticism is a mark of pride, as well as rationality, as

Nora suggests? Why does he wish to believe in the curse after his conversation with

Inez Gallo? How ready were you to believe in the curse?

3. Scott is relentless in his pursuit of the truth about Cordova. How far would you have

gone, in his situation? Is there a point at which you would have stopped pursuing the

truth?

4. Cordovas films were filled with such horror and violence that, in many cases, they

were banned from theaters. What is your perspective on violenceits role and its

effectsin movies today?

5. Cordovas philosophy is in many ways antithetical to our modern world, where

transparency, over-sharing and social media are the norm. Did you feel drawn to

Cordovas philosophy, or repelled, or both? Why?

6. Discuss how Scott advertently or inadvertently involved his daughter Samantha in his

investigation. What did you think of the role she wound up playing, in his discovery?

7. How does your perception of Scott change, from the beginning to the end of the

novel?

8. What did you think of the evolution of Nora and Scotts relationship?

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9. Both Scott and Nora reflect on the power of memory and story to alter the way we

relate to our experiences. Scott says: It was never the act itself but our own

understanding of it that defeated us, over and over again. Nora says: The bad things

that happen to you dont have to mean anything at all. Do you agree?

10. Beckman says Every one of us has our box, a dark chamber stowing the thing that

lanced our heart. Consider Nora, Hopper, Ashley, Cordova, and Scott. What do their

boxes contain, and in what ways do these secrets motivate them? Imprison them?

11. What do you think helped Hopper come to peace with Ashleys memory?

12. New York City is just as much a character in the novel as any one person. How

does your personal experience of, or relationship with, the city affect your reading?

13. How did the visual elements throughout the book enhance or impact your reading

experience?

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