Murder Unleashed

What to serve: Hotdogs. Animal crackers. Bonbons for dogs and humans.

What to drink: Hurricanes. Hot coffee. Cold wine. Margery’s special screwdrivers.

What to wear: Unleash yourself. Wear your favorite disco outfit. Or put on the dog.  No fur, naturally, although a little pet hair is seen in the best society.

Dress up your pet, or make your dog a fancy leash. Give a prize for photos of the best-dressed pets. Or appreciate your favorite animals for their unadorned selves, and have photos of your favorite and funniest pets.

The Questions

(1) This is a novel about secrets. Nearly every character has one, including Helen, Jeff, Jonathon, Tammie, Todd, Betty, even Tammie’s housekeeper. Are all their secrets destructive? Is it really necessary for them to hide this information? Why do some succeed in keeping their secrets and others fail?

(2) Would you like to have a dog’s life – at least, the dogs in this book?

(3) Jeffrey Tennyson Barker, the dog boutique owner, says, “Little dogs are babies, big dogs are pals.” Do you agree with this statement? What do the dogs in this book represent?

(4) What role, if any, do pets play in your life?

(5) Where do you get your pets: From a shelter? A store? A breeder? Do your pets find you? Do you believe that pets can make you a better human?

(6) Who are the real pets in this book? Are some of the women the pets of the rich men they live with? What will happen when they are no longer cute and cuddly? Do you think these women identify with their little dogs?

(7) Why is the hurricane important? How does it reflect what is taking place in the novel?

(8) Why does Margery hold a hurricane party for her friends and the residents of the Coronado Tropic Apartments? Is she helping them or helping herself? What do you know about this Florida tradition?

(9) Helen’s landlady takes Helen in during the storm. She also looks for her when Helen goes missing. She angrily accuses Helen of lying and keeping secrets, and says it’s bad for her.

Is Margery more than Helen’s landlady? What role does she play in Helen’s life, and why does Helen give her so much power?

(10) What do you think of Todd’s secret humiliation – of what happened to him in high school? Does it explain who he is? Is it an excuse for his actions?

(11) Were you surprised when Helen discovers Jonathon’s secret life? Is it what you expected? Jonathon believed that if his secret were known, it would destroy his artistic authority. Does a successful artist need a mystery?

(12) Helen finds Tammie’s murderer, but she pays a terrible price in personal guilt. She believes she caused the killer’s death by her arrogance.  Do you agree?

(13) Why does she keep the killer’s wristwatch for so long? Why does she throw it away?

(14) At the end of the book, Helen and Phil seem to reach a new stage in their relationship. Do you believe that it is possible for Helen to grow and change at this time in her life?  

Margery’s Screwdriver Secret

The secret is fresh-squeezed OJ. That gives this drink a one-two punch: It tastes better with real orange juice. It’s also loaded with vitamin C, which is good for hangovers. It’s practically a health food.

To make Margery’s special screwdriver, fill a highball glass with ice. It’s been a long time since she actually used a shot glass to measure, but Margery thinks you’ll need about two ounces of vodka and five ounces of orange juice. Add the vodka first, then the orange juice. Stir. Garnish with a slice of Key lime.

For a virgin screw, skip the booze. Don’t forget the lime.
             

Murder Unleashed: A Dead-End Job Mystery
New American Library Hardcover – $19.95
ISBN: 0-451-21840-X