Rausch & Donlon - Can Be Murder 01 - Headaches Can Be Murder (35 page)
Read Rausch & Donlon - Can Be Murder 01 - Headaches Can Be Murder Online
Authors: Marilyn Rausch,Mary Donlon
Tags: #Mystery: Thriller - Crime - Author - Iowa
As he drove along with the sun beating down on his bare head, Chip marveled at his happiness and his deepening sense of belonging to a place. He briefly turned to the backseat and said, “Hey, Iver, this is the good life, isn’t it?”
“God’s in his heaven, and all is right with the world,” replied Iver.
The man never ceased to amaze Chip. Who would have thought Iver could quote Robert Browning?
Chip scanned the crowd on the left side of the street and spotted two men. They looked like migrant workers. Something was vaguely familiar and strangely unsettling about them, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen them before. He gave them a friendly wave. Neither acknowledged his gesture, but as one of the men reached in his jeans pocket to retrieve a pair of sunglasses, Chip glimpsed a gun holster under his arm.
Book Group Discussion Guide
1. Chip Collingsworth has been married and divorced three times. With a track record like his, do you think it is possible for a person to achieve a healthy, lasting fourth marriage? What are your experiences with multiple marriages?
2. For decades Americans have sheltered money offshore in Swiss and Cayman Island banks, just as Hal Swanson does in this story. Given sufficient funds, would you consider this tax strategy? What are your reasons? Do you know of anyone who is doing this now?
3. The state of Iowa has invested heavily in alternative power with wind farms and corn ethanol. What do you see as the pros and cons of alternative energy efforts? What sacrifices would you be willing to make to reduce America’s reliance on fossil fuels?
4. In
Headaches Can Be Murder
, Mabel and livestock have been victims of polluted water. How comfortable are you with drinking the water from your household tap? What are the pros and cons of switching to filtered water? Bottled water?
5. Mind control is the theme of
Brain Freeze
. Behavior can be controlled by conditioning and hypnosis, among other ways. Do you believe a person can be forced to act in a way against his or her moral values? If so, what are some examples? If not, why not?
6. Often there is a fine line between victim and abettor. In
Brain Freeze,
is Belinda a victim or did she contribute to her own downfall?
7. Cinnamon rolls are so popular in Iowa that there is an annual Cinnamon Roll Contest at the Iowa State Fair. Share with each other where you can find the best cinnamon rolls in your city or state. (Then run right out and treat yourself to one!)
Table of Contents