The Mystery at Sag Bridge

Book Discussion Questions

1. Why does Angel wait so long to reveal her existence to Cora? Why does she communicate by computer?

2. Angel is sometimes vicious and sometimes sympathetic. In your opinion, does she evoke fear or compassion?

3. What are the similarities in the relationships Cora and Meg have with their mothers? The differences?

4. What do you think Angel would have thought of Cora's birth mother? Who might Angel think Cora's birth mother was?

5. Cora has outstanding organizational skills, yet she struggles with clutter in her personal life. She outwardly appears strong and capable, yet she employs many coping mechanisms, such as avoidance, procrastination, and reliance on routines. Do such apparent inconsistencies in her character make her more human or annoying to you? How do they affect her ability to deal with Angel?

6. Does Cora find any enjoyment in her battle to rid her life of Angel? In what ways?

7. Compare and contrast the motivations and personalities of Meg and Cora. What role does intuition play for both characters?

8. Why didn't Meg want Packey to go to the meeting at Saint James? Why was she angry with Father Fitzpatrick? How did that affect Angel's feelings about Father McGrath?

9. Discuss the relationship between Cora and Cisco. How do their disagreements and different interests and habits affect their ability to deal with Angel?

10. Discuss Frannie's place in the story. How much help does she really provide? How does the relationship between Cisco and Frannie change during the story?

11. Cavanaugh explains himself as a victim of circumstance. Is there anything sympathetic about him?

12. Discuss Father McGrath's place in the story. Should he have had a more reality-based opinion about Cora's situation?

13. Cora, Cisco and Frannie plunge themselves into tedious research on a number of occasions. Do the details of their search enhance the story?

14. At their first face to face meeting, Angel says, "Over forty years to find you, Darlin'. Can't leave now...." Do you think she is referring to Cora leaving, or herself?

15. When Cora is in a position to send Angel out of the material world, she becomes reluctant to do so. Discuss why she would feel this way. How would you feel?

16. What was keeping Angel from leaving the material world? If her task on earth was to protect her daughter, then why did she want Cora to find out who killed her and her family? What finally allowed her to enter the spirit world?

17. The Mystery at Sag Bridge suggests a single mystery. Do you think the author is referring to the murders, the reason Angel believes Cora is her daughter, the ties among the characters, or something else?

18. In chapter 12 the author makes a thematic statement regarding the generational bonds between women, past and future. How would you describe the relationships between the women characters in the story?

19. How do you think Agnes fell in the quarry?

20. What do you infer from the ending scene when Cora woke up to hear a wolf howling?