Val admits to preying on depressed people. How are she and Steve alike? How are they different?

Discuss the issues of race relations that come up in how Mavis treats Catfish, as well as in Catfish's story.

One third of the population of Pine Cove is on anti-depressants. Discuss the town's attitudes toward mental illness and depression. How does Joseph use this in his favor to hide his murder?

Molly interprets Theo's fear of the future as a sign of mental illness. Explain whether Theo's thoughts and actions are sane or not.

Joseph and Jim Beer both support Sheriff Burton's drug lab, but neither partakes of drugs. How do they justify their actions? Do they condone drug use? Is this hypocrisy? Give other examples of hypocrisy in the novel.

Discuss how Sheriff Burton uses Theo and controls him. How does this reinforce Theo's fear...