How much does the press release get right about the Bake Week contestants, and what does it miss? Choose two or three characters and compare their later development to the way that they are first introduced.

Novels within the thriller genre often employ plot twists, red herrings, and cliffhangers to heighten the suspense of the novel. Provide examples of how Maxwell incorporates these elements of the genre into her novel. How successful is she at fulfilling the characteristics of a thriller?

A foil character is a contrasting character who highlights a characteristic in their opposing character. Beyond Lottie-Betsy and Hannah-Stella, what other foil pairs exist in the novel? How do they contrast? What qualities does each character highlight in the other?