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Part One:

In the opening, Clay Ryker tries to convince himself that he will “feel nothing at all.” What circumstances lead him to this decision? What events challenge it? Did you find his reactions to the numbers believable? Would you have acted differently? The author employs dark humor at Clay’s worksite. Did you find it inappropriate? Did you relate to Clay’s guilt as his secrets came to the surface? Have you carried secrets that affected you long term?

Asgoth is a shadowy character with a taste for revenge. Did his name give you any particular impressions of his character? As his identity unfolds, did you think it fit with his earlier scenes? If you’ve read the author’s first book, DARK TO MORTAL EYES, did you notice the references to the Oregon coast, Corvallis, and a lost inheritance? How does the Consortium’s axiom, “We cannot be apprehended, if we seem not to exist” play out later on?

Did you find Mylisha to be a sympathetic character? How do you think the author did in his handling of the racial issues? Are Mylisha and Shanique believable, as African-American women? Did you find Shanique’s job to be fitting to the story and her character, or did you think it was a stereotype? What did you see as Mylisha’s biggest struggles? Her past relationship with Clay? With Shanique? With God?

What is Dmitri Derevenko’s mission? What scar does he bear on his hip, and what does it symbolize to him? Were you aware that the Brotherhood of St. Tobolsk did exist? Do you think it’s possible that one of the Romanovs survived the bloody massacre in Ekaterinburg? In Europe, actual cell phone guns have been confiscated. What did you think of Dmitri’s weapon?

Part Two:

Clay realizes the burden he has been given and tries to use it for good. When his efforts are thwarted, how does he react? Was his scene with Wendy in the Raven believable? At Crater Lake, he plans to undergo “baptism by submersion.” Did you suspect his true intentions? What did you think of his interaction with his fellow hikers? If you’ve read DARK TO MORTAL EYES, did you appreciate the uncovering of Wesley’s identity?

What were your thoughts on Henna? How does her relationship with Asgoth begin to change? When Asgoth’s identity was unveiled at the end of the story, how did this change your view of his interactions with Henna? Did you suspect a spiritual link in their joint actions? Asgoth and Monde coordinate certain events for destructive purposes? By remaining hands-off, are they any less liable for the results?

How did you feel about Kenny Preston? Was he a likeable character? What things motivated him, and in what ways do these things lead to his misfortune? Why is he able to access the object on the train while others cannot? Were you surprised by his scene on the train tracks? As Mylisha’s struggles continue, she begins turning to horoscopes and star charts. Why is this a temptation to her? Why does she think it’s wrong? Do you agree?

Dmitri wonders, “Would Mother Russia open her arms to her long-lost son...?” In light of Russia’s internal conflicts, do you think a Romanov could bring new unity? What did you think of the old woman who meets Dmitri by the train engine? Was she mentally disturbed? Was there more to her than met the eye? Did Dmitri’s relationship with Vicki Blomberg change your opinion of him? Does his mission justify his actions?

Part Three:

What pushes Clay to finally confess his part in his friend’s death? Did you feel that he was as guilty as he believed, or was the guilt excessive? How does Sgt. Turney focus Clay’s energies? Do you believe that Detective Freeman could’ve redirected his own destiny? Or, by sovereignty, was it set in stone? Clay makes attempts to connect with his wife. In what ways did these scenes help you understand their relationship?

Does Henna become more strongly loyal to Asgoth as their plot unfolds. How has she allowed him to control her? Her mother reveals certain things to Clay over the phone. Did this cause you to suspect Henna’s deeper involvement in Clay’s past? Henna’s steps lead Clay to an upstairs apartment. Were you surprised by what the apartment contains? Did it give you any hints of what was to come?

Did you expect the explanation of what happened at the train tracks? Was it credible? Was it more so when things were revealed at the end of the book? How does Mylisha respond to her horoscope, and with what results? What did you think of Mylisha’s and Clay’s interaction? In what way does she help him unravel the mystery? Did you catch the clues that lead to Mylisha’s later unveiling of a guilty party?

Dmitri, like Jacob in the Bible, wrestles with his own angel of destiny. Does this make him overconfident? If you’ve read DARK TO MORTAL EYES, did you make the connection between Gertrude Ubelhaar and “the altercation near an Oregon lighthouse,” (pg. 238)? Dmitri’s overseer, Oleg Volovnik, has one ultimate goal. In what ways does this begin to conflict with Dmitri? Did you think Ms. Ubelhaar was hiding information about her son?

Part Four:

Clay joins with police to protect the townspeople. Were you surprised by the results? How did you feel about an ex-con like Digs? Does his unexpected gesture seem fitting? Does it convince Clay of a larger design? Why does Clay begin to doubt again? What did you think of the meeting between Asgoth and Clay? Did you see Clay’s relationship with his father begin to change? What lessons does Clay learn by the end?

Earlier in the book, Asgoth mentions that “it’d been like drawing blood to get a place of his own” and that place is stained by “the former occupant’s splatters on the kitchen walls.” Did you make this connection to the John Doe murder? As Asgoth’s full identity is revealed, did you accept it? What made you believe/disbelieve it? Does his own need for revenge hinder his goals?

Did you see Mylisha begin to make changes? Do you think her final conversation with her sister was a necessary step? Mylisha understands the truth about her friend’s killer only after she turns back to her faith. Is this a coincidence? As she’s preparing for her performance, she is distracted by thoughts of Clay. In what way does she focus these thoughts? Did you see a direct result between her prayers and his events?

Dmitri uses Sgt. Turney’s girlfriend, hoping for a clue regarding the missing Tsar’s whereabouts? What did you think of Josee’s willingness to go along with him? In what unsuspected way does this play out at the bank? Did you like her character, or remember her from DARK TO MORTAL EYES? Does Dmitri’s bloated sense of destiny mislead him? Oleg goes to meet with Ms. Ubelhaar. What do they hope to accomplish, jointly and separately?

Epilogue:

Does the author provide a happy ending? Is it sappy, depressing, or realistic? What did you think of Sgt. Turney’s final secret? Should he have been forthcoming earlier in the story? Did you suspect a link between Asgoth and the events in the prologue, or did this surprise you? Does Asgoth get what he deserves? What do you think will happen to Henna? What questions are left open for a sequel?

If you’d like to pass on comments or questions to the author, send an email to Eric Wilson at: wilsonwriter@hotmail.com, or visit his website: www.wilsonwriter.com