1. On page one, Tessa walks out of her job, live on Insta. She's tired of feeling invisible. Tired of having good ideas that are appropriated by others, and tired of cleaning up after her colleagues' poor decisions and disasters. Have you ever felt like that in the work place? Have you ever just wanted to quit?

2. Tessa is part of a group called #MomsWithDreams. What would be your dream? Is there something that you have always wanted to do with your life? If so, what’s stopping you?

3. Even as a child, Tessa had a contentious relationship with her social-climbing mother. And that influence put Tessa in some extremely high-stakes situations where she made decisions that she thought would make her mother happy. Have you ever done something to make someone else happy, only to have it backfire miserably?

4. True crime: no matter how often we see it on TV or read about it in online, it’s always distressing to realize how manipulative and destructive people can be. Author Hank Phillippi Ryan is an Emmy-winning investigative reporter who's uncovered so many high-stakes stories and writes from her own experiences not only as an author, but with solving crimes. Why do you think viewers and readers are fascinated by true crime? Are you?

5. Almost all of this book takes place in bookstores, libraries, airports and hotels. Have you ever been to an author event at a bookstore or library? Did you enjoy it? Have you ever wondered how the author felt about it?

6. Tessa becomes very apprehensive about parasocial relationships --- devoted and adoring fans who relate to her book so much that they feel Tessa must understand them, personally, and should be their friend. Has reading a certain book ever made you feel so personally close to the author that you feel they are thinking your very thoughts?

7. Tessa hears the voice of her main character very powerfully. Do you think that’s strange? Or do you think it’s logical that authors “hear” their characters' voices?

8. Tessa is on a weeks-long book tour, and she must leave her beloved husband and two kids back home. How would you feel about that? She is the sole breadwinner. Does that make a difference in how you feel?

9. Tessa has to communicate with her family by Zoom and Facetime. And she realizes she's only seeing what her husband and kids are putting in camera range. What are they leaving out? Would it frustrate you --- or worry you? --- to know you’re not seeing the whole picture?

10. Tessa has memories of a gorgeous place she spent a few summer vacations. Did you have an idyllic place you visited as a child? What’s your best memory of that --- or worst --- and how vivid is it to you?

11. Tessa knows her life is an open book because her tour schedule is on her website. As a result, everyone knows exactly where she will be in person, and even what airport she might be using. Have you had any instances where information posted online or on social media made you feel anxious, or put you or a loved one in a dangerous situation?

12. Tessa is in a different city and a different hotel every day. Do you think you could handle that schedule? What would be the fun parts, and what would be the stressful parts?