1. Kimberlee Kalder is described as driven and ambitious—too much so for her own good. What in her background might have made her this way? Do you feel any sympathy for her? Have you known other people like Kimberlee?
2. In this story, Magretta Sincock is a once-successful author, while Kimberlee is a newly successful one. In what ways are these two ambitious women similar? In what ways different?
3. Donna Doone, would-be author, makes the observation that writers are so often “difficult” personalities. The same thing is often said about artists. Do you think this is true? Can you give an example from your life or your reading?
4. The author has described Death and the Lit Chick as another affectionate send-up—just as Death of a Cozy Writer was a gentle send-up of the “cozy” mystery genre. Have you read any chick lit novels or seen any chick lit movies that you enjoyed, for example, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Sex and the City, or The Devil Wears Prada? What do you think accounts for the appeal of these stories?
5. The author maintains that Dalmorton Castle in Scotland is as much a character in this novel as the “real” characters. Have you ever visited a place with such a strong personality, or with such strong ties to history, that it became as real to you as someone you had met?
6. How does the storm outside Dalmorton Castle reflect what is taking place in the story?
7. St. Just is instantly smitten by one of the characters in this novel. (Or is he just at a vulnerable crossroads, perhaps in part because of his recent birthday?) Do you believe in love at first sight?
8. A main theme of this story is the many forms love can take. Apart from St. Just, can you provide an example or two of these different forms from your reading of Death and the Lit Chick? Would you characterize any of these relationships as healthy, or unhealthy? Does Tom and Edith’s relationship have any elements of love? Did any relationships develop that surprised you?
9. St. Just believes that everyone is capable of murder, given the right circumstances. Do you agree? Under what circumstances do you think you could commit the ultimate crime?
10. St. Just makes a symbolic impulse purchase near the end of Death and the Lit Chick. What do you think this signifies? Have you ever made a similar purchase, for similar reasons?