Ask for Andrea

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Ask for Andrea features police and detectives working to solve murders but focuses primarily on those who were murdered. To what extent is the novel still a thriller? Did you find its use of suspense effective? Why or why not? 
• Which of the three narrators was your favorite and why? Did you find any of the narrators difficult to connect or sympathize with, and if so, why? 
• Have you read other books featuring ghosts or supernatural figures? Do you typically like or dislike the inclusion of supernatural elements in the books you read? What was the effect in this novel?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

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

• Despite James’s ability to deceive, some characters do find him unsettling. Have you ever had a negative response to someone without knowing why? Where do you think the feeling came from? How would you change your behavior if someone inexplicably gave you a bad feeling?
• While April is portrayed as a passive and submissive character for most of the novel, she displays courage and resilience once she understands that she needs to protect her children. Have you ever surprised yourself by displaying strength you didn’t know you had? What types of pressure tend to prompt people to tap into their inner strength?
• The narrators are able to access the spirit world (and eventually cross into it) when they encounter memories of a beloved individual who is now deceased. Think of a special memory of someone you love: What makes that memory powerful?
• To stop James from killing more women, the narrators need to collaborate with both each other and the living. What makes this collective work challenging for them? Do you find working in a group easier or more difficult than working alone?
• Ask for Andrea reflects the popularity of narratives about serial killers. Why do you think that people are fascinated by stories about real or imaginary serial killers? Do you feel there are any ethical issues surrounding the true crime genre and/or crime fiction?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

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

• James relies largely on online dating apps to lure his victims. Do you think that the rise of online dating has generally had positive or negative effects? Has it benefited men more than women? What (if anything) do you think these apps could do to create safer and better experiences for users?
• The novel explores how and why some crimes receive more media and police attention than others. For example, Skye knows that her case is considered less compelling because she is Latina and comes from a working-class family. When you think of the crime cases you have heard about, what factors tend to generate media attention? What could be done to mitigate such disparities?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Why do you think Ask for Andrea uses a structure of alternating narrators? How does it serve the work’s characterization or themes?
• Much of the novel takes place in remote, isolated, wilderness settings. How does Ihli use this setting to establish the novel’s tone and mood? Why do you think that novels in the thriller or horror genre often make use of these types of settings?
• Discuss the symbolism of animals as present throughout the novel. Are animals presented as dangerous, neutral, or even helpful? What do you make of the inclusion of both domestic and wild animals?
• Both James and April are described as physically attractive characters. What is the purpose of making these characters beautiful? How does it create irony given the reality of their marriage?

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Imagine a sequel to the novel, told from the perspective of one or both of James’s daughters. What do you think their lives looked like after their father’s arrest? Would they be sympathetic to him? Do you think the young girls ever knew or suspected that something was “off” about their father? How might the events of their childhood impact them later in life?
• If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles (the three narrators, James, and April)? What aspects of the plot and setting are inherently cinematic? What aspects of the novel might make it challenging to adapt to film?

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