DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Because of a childhood experience, Detective Abby Hart is driven to solve homicides in Long Beach. Can you point to a similarly defining event —positive or negative —in your own life? How might your life have turned out differently if that event hadn’t happened?
  2. Abby’s fiancé, Ethan, considers her work as a homicide detective dark and dangerous, but Abby believes she brings hope and justice to people. Why is Ethan really concerned about Abby? What prevents her from being totally objective about her job?
  3. Luke Murphy and his friend Bill coined the term “hard blessings” when they served in the military together. What does this mean to you? What hard blessings have you experienced in life?
  4. Abby takes a victim’s dog to the animal shelter, but why doesn’t she leave Bandit there? In what ways can you relate to her feelings in that moment?
  5. Officer Robert Woods has had a special connection to Abby for twenty-seven years. Yet he discourages her from pursuing her parents’ murders. Is he acting in her best interest? Why or why not?
  6. Why is Deputy Chief Kelsey Cox so antagonistic toward Abby? Have you ever had a boss who was hard on you? How did you handle the criticism or attitude?
  7. Throughout the story, Abby wrestles with forgiveness and concludes that it’s easier to say she forgives someone than to feel it. She wonders, How do you forgive a monster? What answer do you have for that question? When have you struggled to not only offer forgiveness but really feel it as well? What keeps you from feeling it?
  8. Luke searches day after day for missing teens like Nadine. Compare his determination to go after runaways with the parable of the lost sheep told in Luke 15. Have you had personal experience with a “lost sheep” or a determined “shepherd”? How did your story turn out?
  9. In chapter 33, Abby wonders if her obsession with her parents’ cold case means she doesn’t trust God. What do you think of the response Luke gives? How would you answer her question?
  10. Even without knowing her well, Luke notes that Abby isn’t one to seek vengeance. What does he base his opinion on? Why does Abby’s aunt Dede warn her about wanting revenge? Are Dede’s concerns justified?
  11. Abby’s motto —You can run, but you can’t hide —is based on Hebrews 4:13. How does she acknowledge the truth of the verse? Where does she fall short? What does this verse say to you?
  12. Near the end of the story, Abby says, “Letting go feels like giving up.” Do you feel the same way? Describe a time when you had to let go of something. Did you feel peace about your decision or despair? How do you know when you’ve made the right choice?