Ravenstone
- Book Club Questions:
- How does the rainforest setting figure as a character in Macaws of Death? Discuss its influence on the narrative.
- In a movie version of Macaws of Death, who do you think should play what roles? Why?
- After Robyn arrives in Costa Rica, she experiences a certain amount of culture shock. Does this affect her judgement? In what ways?
- Each part of the book begins with a quote. How is each one related to its associated section? Do you think the quotes are appropriate? Why or why not?
- Wildlife trafficking in an important element in the novel’s plot. Who does Robyn suspect of trafficking and why? Is trafficking a real clue to the murderer’s identity, or is it a red herring?
- Discuss the role of food in the author’s writing. Why do you think food is so important to Robyn?
- There are two ‘perfume bunnies’ in the novel. What role do they play?
- Robyn’s love life is a little confused, but by the end of the book, she arrives at a decision. Do you agree with her choice? Why or why not?
- Dan and Viviana both warn Robyn about the dangers of a tropical rainforest, yet there are several instances when Robyn forgets their advice. Discuss these scenes and the reasons for her carelessness. What are the consequences of her actions?
- There are two kinds of mysteries: stand-alones and series with a continuing character. Which do you prefer? Why? Could Macaws of Death stand on its own?
- Do you think Robyn grows as a character during the course of the novel? What new things did you learn about her in Macaws of Death?
- Do you think Robyn is a good field scientist? Why or why not?
- Discuss the leadership conflict at Danta. Is Andres a good person to head the project? Why or why not? Who else might make a good leader? Why?
- In what way do gender roles and politics play a part in the novel? What is Robyn’s way of dealing with this? Is it effective?
- In the beginning of the novel, Robyn tells Kelt that she has never visited a tropical rainforest before. Have you ever been to a jungle? If you haven’t, would you want to after reading Macaws of Death? Why or why not?
- What makes a good thriller? Does Macaws of Death meet these requirements? For you, what is the most important part of a mystery (i.e. plot, subplots, clues, red herrings etc.)?
- The subject of ecotourism comes up several times in the novel. Do you think Liz’s concerns about it are justified? Why or why not?
- While researching the book, the author went to Costa Rica and spent some time at a biological research station in the jungle. Did you feel that Macaws of Death was the result of first-person experience? In what way? Do you think the book could have been written without this experience?
- Did you feel that you learned something about wildlife trafficking and rainforest preservation from Macaws of Death? Do you think the book deals effectively with these topics?
- Robyn and Viviana are both women scientists. In what other ways are they similar? How are they dissimilar?
- Did you try to guess ‘whodunit’? Who did you suspect? Why? Were you surprised by the ending?
- Robyn is both a field scientist and an environmentalist. Do you think there is conflict between the two? In what way?
- Robyn is apprehensive about snakes even before she arrives in Costa Rica. Is her anxiety justified? Do you think she overcomes her fears? How do you feel about snakes?
- What other novels can you think of in which the characters enter a dark jungle only to confront the worst of humanity. Do you think Macaws of Death is an effective addition to this subgenre? Why or why not?
- By the end of the book, Robyn is far from ‘civilization’ both physically and psychologically. Discuss.
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206-100 Arthur Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R3B 1H3
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