How to Solve Your Own Murder

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What did you think of the book’s ending? Were you surprised by the revelation that Rose killed Emily?
• Which of the two plotlines—Annie’s present or Frances’s past—did you prefer, and why?
• This is the first novel for adults by author Kristen Perrin, who is best known for her middle-grade fiction. Does the novel read like it was written by someone who usually writes for children?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• The friendship between Rose, Frances, and Emily is at the heart of the novel. Have you ever experienced a friendship dynamic like theirs? What are the benefits and drawbacks of such intense friendship?
• Excluding the protagonists, Frances and Annie, which of the characters did you find most appealing? Why?
• The power of the written word is a major theme in this novel. How do you use writing on a day-to-day basis? How different might your life be without it?
• Were you surprised by the revelation that Joe was responsible for Frances’s death? Can you relate to his desperation to protect his mother?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• The novel is set in London and the fictional town of Castle Knoll. How does the novel’s English setting affect the plot? How would the novel be different if it were set in the United States or another country?
• Consider the subplot surrounding Saxon’s drug dealing. Does the novel intervene at all in the debate surrounding the legalization of drugs?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• The novel includes excerpts from Frances’s teenage journal alongside the primary narrative featuring Annie Adams, her great-niece. Was this structure effective in building the mystery? Why do you think Perrin chose it?
• How does Annie’s character develop over the course of the novel? How does solving the mystery help her to grow as a person?
• How does Frances’s journal act as a symbol of her paranoia and belief in destiny? 
• How does Saxon influence the action of the novel? How does his role differ between the two plotlines?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you were producing an adaptation of this novel, whom would you cast in the roles of Frances and Annie?
• The novel ends with Annie inheriting Frances’s house and a large stash of unused notebooks. What type of writing do you think Annie might do in the future? Come up with a title for one of her books.
• Imagine a follow-up novel focused on Frances’s adult life before her murder. What new circumstances or conflicts would you want to see Frances encounter?

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