TWISTED PERCEPTION READING GUIDE: TOPICS TO CONSIDER With Elliot being a police detective, the author begins by paying close attention to procedure, but as the story progresses he departs from this with the character becoming more like the lead in a cozy. Do you find this technique of character revelation effective, or would you prefer the novel be written more like a police procedural? Considering Elliot's love for Carmen, why does he leave town without telling her, then strive to stay out of her life? Is it selfishness, a desire to forget the past and start a new life? Perhaps something more complex is at work? Elliot's past refuses to leave him alone. Is it possible to run away from who you are? If the murders in Porter had not happened, or had occurred before or after Elliot's time, how different do you suppose his life would be? After Charlie Johnson learns of the murders, why does he shroud the affair in secrecy? Throughout the novel, Charlie tries to protect Elliot. What is the nature of their relationship? Some of the characters share various common motivations, yet they are strikingly different individuals. Why is this? Are we a composite of what we are taught and shown, or are we born the way we are, and act as such regardless of parental and social influence? Could Elliot's strong character traits have come from his father? What about his mother? Was she weak and uncaring, or just too caught up in her own problems? Are the characters victims of their circumstances? Can you think of a childhood event, or a particular action, or non-action by a parent or other authority figure that significantly shaped or influenced your life? Who is the antagonist of this story? Is it a shared role, or perhaps one played by character relations? If the author answered an invitation to your book club, and you could ask him one question about the writing of this novel, what would it be? ORDER THE BOOK from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or AWOC Books.