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deadly advice

deadly advice

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Discussion Questions

Reviews
deadly advice

Berkley Prime Crime (March 2007)
ISBN: 0425214745

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When Dr. Rebecca Butterman returns home to find her neighbor an apparent suicide, she's wracked with guilt. As a psychologist and advice columnist, she should have been able to help. When the neighbor's mother suspects foul play and begs her to investigate, Rebecca puts this down to denial. Then she finds Madeline's blog, a zippy chronicle of dating adventures that suggests anything but depression. So when Rebecca's editor assigns her to do a column on the modern singles scene, Rebecca finds herself re-tracing the Madeline's steps into the world of speed-dating and web-blogging, where no one is who they claim to be. Over-eager suitors are the least of her worries: Dr. Butterman is about to discover just how deadly some advice can be.

When it comes to murder, everyone could use a little help.
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“Rebecca Butterman is smart, sympathetic, and caring, a sleuth whose advice you can trust.” -- Susan Wittig Albert, author of BLEEDING HEARTS and THE TALE OF CUCKOO BROW WOOD.

“Written with lively intelligence, DEADLY ADVICE is a rare treat -- amusing and suspenseful at the same time.” -- Margaret Maron, author of WINTER'S CHILD.

“This is one psychologist you really need.” -- Elaine Viets, author of MURDER UNLEASHED.

“A really plummy mystery, flawlessly plotted, that I especially loved because the heroine is an advice columnist ­ and a good one!
-- Margo Howard,
author of the syndicated column “Dear Margo”

“A harrowing psychological suspense tale meticulously told.  A winner ... I hope we see much more of Dr. Rebecca Butterman.”
--  C.J. Box, author of FREE FIRE and BLUE HEAVEN
 

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Discussion questions for Deadly Advice:

  1. 
How would you describe Dr. Rebecca Butterman's stake in solving the mystery of her neighbor's death? Is this believable?


  
  2.  
Frequently books and movies portray psychologists and other mental health professionals as buffoons who ignore ethical boundaries or are crazier than their own patients. How does Rebecca come across? How do you feel about her being "in therapy" while doing the work of a therapist?


  
  3.  
Advice columns seem to turn up everywhere these days! Rebecca has mixed feelings about writing one. From her point of view, what are the benefits and concerns? Do you have a column whose advice you admire? Can you remember a time when this kind of advice really changed your life?


  
  4.  
Rebecca and Detective Meigs argue about a person's right to choose to end his/her life by suicide. What is Rebecca's position on this as a clinical psychologist? Do you agree?


  
  5.  
While solving the mystery, Rebecca dabbles in speed-dating and online dating. What does she feel are the pros and cons of trying to meet one's match in these ways? Do you know any success stories?


  
  6.  
What really went wrong in the relationship between Rebecca and her husband? Could--and should--this marriage have been saved?


  
  7.  
How do you feel about the relationship between Detective Meigs and Rebecca, given his situation? Where would you like to see it go?


  

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