What Lies Below: A Novel
Page 31
“Well, I think we’d have to mix it up here, and not at the café,” Gilly said.
Zoe bounced. “Now? Can we now?”
“It’ll be dinnertime soon, ZooRoo.”
“We have pancakes for dinner sometimes, Daddy.”
“Miss Gilly might have other plans.” Jake held her gaze.
“No,” she said. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
With each book my gratitude to my core support group gets bigger and warms my heart more. Thank you forever to my fabulous agent, Barbara Poelle, for opening the door. I am indebted to my interim editor, Danielle Marshall. Even though her desk must be piled to the sky, she is always there with an answer or encouragement, ready to cheer us all on. As I was nearing the finish line with this book, Barbara and I got a call from Danielle and my former Lake Union editor, Kelli Martin. Barbara and I had guessed the reason for the call, that Kelli was leaving, and we were both in dismay until it became clear Kelli was going to freelance; she would still be my developmental editor. Danielle calls Kelli and me a dream team, and we truly are. Kelli has such an uncanny ability to guide my vision, to help me find the beating heart of the story I want to share with readers, and it means the world to me. She is a gift. Thank you so much, too, to Alicia Clancy, my new Lake Union editor, for her guidance as we have gone forward with this book.
Huge huge thanks to my copyeditors and proofreaders: Ciara, Elise, Albert, Claire, and Nicole. I am in hope that I have included everyone. I am beyond grateful for the gift of every sharp eye that has gone over this story. In particular, I’m grateful to Ciara for her careful and insightful commentary throughout. The story is so much better told because of her thoughtful reading and attention, and that of the others.
Thank you so much to Derek Thornton for the fabulous cover. The image so beautifully captures the mood and atmosphere of the story. It’s eerie and lovely all at once. Simply perfect.
In doing legal research for the book, I again turned to my neighbor, John “Chip” Leake. I can’t even say how cool it is to have his wealth of experience—thirty-four years as a Texas law enforcement officer—to draw on. Any inaccuracies in that area are my own.
Thank you to my street team of early readers. You guys are fabulous in the effort you make to read advance copies and then post reviews. It’s an invaluable resource, connecting authors with readers, shouting out praise, getting a buzz going. Pauline Tilbe, you are the best. You’ve been with me from the beginning. Jink Willis, you’ve shouted about my books and shared them with your book clubs—your support and enthusiasm means the world to me, and it is such a boon. Thank you to Lynette Burnette. I was so thrilled when you invited me to meet virtually with your book club! It was such an honor. Thank you to book angels Mary and Amber Blackburn, Susan Roberts Peterson, Barbara Bos of Women Writers, Women’s Books, Mary Lazon of Linda’s Book Obsession, Deborah Blanchard, Kristy Barrett of A Novel Bee, Holly Casper of the book review blog, Country Girl Reads, and Cheryl Masciarelli of C Mash Loves to Read, and to the many members of the wonderful Facebook reading and author groups, in particular Great Thoughts, Great Readers, Reader’s Coffeehouse, and A Novel Bee. I am forever grateful for everything you do to shout out and spread your love of books everywhere!
Thank you to my Amazon/Lake Union marketing and author liaison teams, naming just a few members, Dennelle, Gabby, Michael, and Gabe. It’s all of them—and the countless others who work behind the scenes—who give books their wings. I’m so grateful for all you do to get my books into the hands of readers!
And yet again, a huge and heartfelt shout-out to my readers and to readers around the world. Sending love, joy, and gratitude to all of you. Thank you!
WHAT LIES BELOW BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
Early in the story we learn that almost four-year-old Zoe has disappeared, that she may have been taken from her preschool by her mom, who is the noncustodial parent. According to Child Find of America, 78 percent of child abductions in the United States are committed by the parent who doesn’t have custody. Are there circumstances where you feel such extreme action might be justified? In the story, do you feel law enforcement should have acted more quickly? Should the FBI be called in immediately when a child is taken, even though strong evidence supports it is a domestic matter?
When Gilly dreams of Zoe’s abduction before it happens, she’s reluctant to approach anyone to warn them of the danger Zoe might be in. Have you ever had a precognitive dream? Did you share it? Do you believe people have the capacity to see the future? Do you think psychics should play a role in law enforcement?
Gilly’s parents have encouraged her from childhood to ignore her visions and dreams. She was punished for sharing them and feels that her father abandoned her and her mother because of them. Her mother’s motive was to keep Gilly from being stigmatized. Was she right? If your child had such experiences, what would your reaction be?
If someone warned you of a future calamity they’d visualized happening to you through a dream, would you listen and act accordingly, or ignore it the way Gilly and Brian did?
Have you, or would you ever, consult a psychic in regard to your future? Discuss the circumstances that might lead you to such a decision. Or if you can never see yourself doing that, discuss why.
While Jake’s parents are willing for him to be responsible for his role in Karen’s pregnancy, they are adamant that marriage for their eighteen-year-old son isn’t an option. How would you advise your son or daughter in a similar situation?
After Gilly witnesses her husband’s murder, the shock brings on labor, and she loses her prematurely born infant daughter only hours after her husband was killed. Grief causes her to spiral into addiction. Is this understandable? Is her own criminal act forgivable given the circumstances?
Gilly assumes it isn’t possible to find a second soul mate. What do you think? Is there more than one person who can fulfill this role? If you were to lose your life partner, would you seek another, or like Gilly, would you retreat into yourself?
Jake blames himself for the emotional and mental issues Karen has dealt with in her life. Is he right to assume responsibility? Was there anything more he or his parents could have done, or should have done, to help her? What do you think of the two sets of parents and their varying opinions and reactions to Jake and Karen’s relationship, and their unplanned pregnancy? What are your ideas about parenting teenagers when it comes to their romantic relationships?
Both Jake and Gilly suffer harm as the result of the criminal actions of others. Initially, Jake voices his vow to seek revenge, but Gilly demurs. Revenge won’t bring back Brian or Sophie. In the end, though, when both she and Jake are confronted with the opportunity to take their revenge, it’s Gilly who comes closest. What would you do in her circumstances? In Jake’s? Would you be able to forgive a perpetrator who had cost you the life and the people you loved?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2013 Shannon Stroubakis
Barbara Taylor Sissel writes issue-driven women’s fiction threaded with elements of suspense, which particularly explores how families respond to the tragedy of crime. She is the author of eight previous novels: The Last Innocent Hour, The Ninth Step, The Volunteer, Evidence of Life, Safe Keeping, Crooked Little Lies, Faultlines, and The Truth We Bury. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Barbara was raised in various locations across the Midwest and once lived on the grounds of a first-offender prison facility, where she interacted with the inmates, their families, and the people who worked with them. The experience made a profound impression on her and provided her with a unique insight into the circumstances of the crimes that were committed and the often surprising ways the justice system moved to deal with them. An avid gardener, Barbara has two sons and lives on a farm in the Texas hill country outside Austin. You can find her online at www.barbarataylorsissel.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BarbaraTaylorSissel.
; Barbara Taylor Sissel, What Lies Below: A Novel