Like all Lathen novels, Right on the Money takes its subject matter from contemporary events in the financial world. There has been much discussion since the 1980s, for example, about naked greed and the lack of ethics among the young MBAs being turned loose in America's business world, and Victor Hunnicut is a good representative of this type. Also an issue touched on by this novel, the decline of the family firm, is an issue of continuing concern in modern America.

1. Given that the murderer escapes in this novel, how is justice served? For answers, examine the character of Detective Giorni, who does the footwork on the case but comes to Thatcher for advice; note the reactions of the various characters to the flight of the murderer; note how the author makes the victim unsympathetic.

2. What is the portrait of marriage in the novel? What are...