Discussion Questions for Readers
Invite Me to Your Book Club!
“Our book club loved reading and discussing A Dangerous Duet. It was a fascinating evening and such a treat to get to ask questions of the author!” – Debbie, Book Club leader, Phoenix
“Our first love here at Anticus is art — and our second is books! So A Trace of Deceit was a perfect choice for our Book Club read. A mystery that blends art, history, and Victorian culture, with a hint of romance. And I really enjoyed seeing how easily our book club members engaged in the discussion with Karen — on everything rom how she fine-tuned her characters to her plot development process. We’re very much looking forward to her next book! – K.T., Book Buyer, Anticus Art Gallery and Bookstore, Scottsdale
Make the most of your book club!
Part of the charm of historical fiction and historical mysteries is that the represented world is different from our present day–and yet many of the challenges and strife that the Victorians faced have their counterparts in the 21st century.
Historical research often feels like magic to me, and with every one of my books, it seems that the core idea for the book found me. In the course of my research, I read something or discover something that sparks a degree of astonishment or perplexity that I cannot ignore. Once I begin a book, I write and research in a way that reminds me of making cake frosting … add a little milk … add a little confectioner’s sugar … then a little more milk … I’d love to share my insights and experiences as an author with you and your friends!
Contact me to arrange a date to Skype or Zoom with your book club! For each of my novels, I will enhance and enliven your book club discussion with a full package of images and information about 1870s London, additional discussion questions not found in the back of the books, personal anecdotes from my writing journey for each of my novels, and a full question and answer session.
About Karen
Karen received her Ph.D. in English literature from New York University and subsequently taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her first novel, A Lady in the Smoke, was a USA Today bestseller and A Dangerous Duet and A Trace of Deceit have won awards for historical mystery and historical fiction. Down a Dark River introduces readers to Inspector Michael Corravan, a former thief and bare-knuckles boxer. The sequel, Under a Veiled Moon was recently nominated for a Lefty Award. Karen lives in Arizona with her family, and she loves to hike the Sonoran Desert. Read More
April 2025
Thursday April 3
- 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm
- Greenberg Bookclub - Coronado
Saturday April 12
- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Writer in Residence (Glendale Main Library; visit https://glpaz.org/events)
- 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
- Writing in Residence Workshop: Query Letters, How to Hook an Agent
Monday April 14
- 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Anticus Writers' Workshop Series #6: Finding Your People (Building a Community of Practice)
Tuesday April 15
- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- WIR 30-minute one-on-one sessions (Glendale Main Library; visit https://glpaz.org/events)
- 2:30 pm – 3:55 pm
- WIR Workshop: Finding your People, Building your Community of Practice at Glendale Main Library
Thursday April 24
- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- WIR (Glendale Main Library; visit https://glpaz.org/events)
September 2025
Wednesday September 3 – Monday September 8
- Blood on the Bayou: Case Closed
Friday September 19 – Saturday September 20
- Desert Sleuths Write Now! Conference
February 2026
Thursday February 26 – Sunday March 1
- Left Coast Crime San Francisco