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Readers > Talk it Up! > Discussion guides > Biting the Moon

Biting the Moon by Martha Grimes

Summary

Waking up alone in a Bed & Breakfast with no recollection of where she is or how she got there, Andi concludes that she has amnesia. She learns from the owner that she arrived at the B & B with a man who claimed to be her father, also known as "Daddy". With the small amount of money she finds in the jacket "Daddy" left in their room, she leaves the bed and breakfast as quickly as possible. Andi makes her temporary home in an abandoned cabin in the Sandia Mts., making regular trips into town for food and supplies. On a trip to the town pharmacy, Andi is caught stealing painkillers by 14 year old Mary. Mary quickly decides that Andi is an addict, but after hearing her story, she willingly takes Andi into her home, and even decides to help her find out who she is. With little information, Andi and Mary set off on a road trip full of danger and excitement. Will Andi ever find the truth about her past?

Discussion questions

  1. Though Andi believes her abductor is Harry Wine, are there any other possible suspects?
  2. Andi and Mary build a strong friendship throughout the novel, but they are very different. How so? Do they have any similarities?
  3. Andi is an excellent liar and storyteller. Choose and example that you think best illustrates these qualities.
  4. What clues and evidence lead to the discovery of Andi's kidnapper?
  5. Do you think Harry was responsible for the death of Peggy and Floyd Atkens?
  6. In the beginning of the novel Mary is generally passive, and timid. By end of the novel do you think she has changed?
  7. Suppose you woke up with amnesia, what would you do in this situation? Would you simply call the police, or would you handle the situation on your own?
  8. If you were in Mary's position would you turn Andi in or help her?
  9. What do you think of the ending? Do you think the author left room for a sequel?

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