1. The scene in which Beth and Arnie discover the attempted robbery of their truck happed to the author in real life. Does the scene appear realistic to you? Have you ever experienced a robbery or other crime during a vacation? How did it color your memory of that trip? 2. Beth appears jumpy after they discover the break-in. Have you ever been witness to a crime? How did you feel afterwards? How well do you think witnesses remember details? 3. Do cats and dogs have a sixth sense? How do they pick up clues people sometimes miss? What service do police dogs provide for the officers? 4. Unlike Arnie, Beth watches Psycho Cat and believes he’s sensing clues. She also catches glimpses of the criminals that Arnie misses. She’s the one who insists they have to prove Paul innocent. Arnie resists involving them in police matters. Do you think one is right and one is wrong? Are you more like Beth or more like Arnie? 5. The point of view switches from between Beth and Gil. Which chapters were more compelling to you? Were there any characters with which you identified or empathized? 6. Living close to the state line in the Kansas City metro, it came as no surprise to the author that law enforcement officers from two states often work together. Research into state laws did unearth a revelation, though, that criminals are indicted differently. What did you think about the way the San Antonio and Kansas City detectives worked together in the story? 7. Have you had a pet that befriends some folks and backs away from or growls at others? What do you think when it happens? 8. Did you expect the story to end differently? If so, how?
