The novel opens with a Prologue told from an omniscient point of view. How do the events introduced in the Prologue mislead the reader into making assumptions about what happened to Bronte? What is the effect of the revelation about the Prologue events revealed by the author in the final chapters?

A hallmark of Jane Harper’s novels is her skill in keeping the reader guessing as to who committed the crime. In this novel, how did she deflect attention away from the murderer and create suspicion in other characters? Which characters were most suspect and why?

Analyze the portrayal of law enforcement in the novel. How is Pendleton’s approach to the investigation different from Renn’s? Why did Mallott insist on dismissing the evidence of Gabby’s backpack found on the boat?