Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How does this novel compare to others you’ve read in the same genre, either in the Armand Gamache series or by other authors?

2. Whose point of view—Armand’s, Jean-Guy’s, or Isabelle’s—did you enjoy the most and/or find the most revelatory, relatable, or frustrating? Why?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Which character did you personally connect with the most, and why?

2. Would you like to live in a small town like Three Pines, or do you prefer a city like Montreal?

3. How does the novel’s depiction of wolves relate to your experiences with wild animals? Did reading the novel evoke comparisons between the wolves and people from your past or present?

4. What moments in the plot were especially resonant for you, and why?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How did you feel about the depictions of Catholicism and monasteries in the book?

2. What did the novel teach you about pollution and ownership of natural resources in Canada?