Murder Road

Although the story is told from April’s point of view, and she is the protagonist, Eddie also goes through significant changes throughout the novel. Trace Eddie’s development as a character and consider how he grows and changes over the course of the story.

Analyze the roles of some of the side characters in Murder Road, like Rose Jones, Kal Syed, and Beatrice and Gracie Snell. Consider how they function in the plot, as well as in their relationship to April and Eddie.

Discuss how Simone St. James works within or subverts the conventions of the mystery, horror, and paranormal thriller genres. Explore how these genres intersect in the novel, and how they complement each other.

Although April’s mother, Diane Cross, only makes one appearance in the novel, and that by phone, she is omnipresent in April’s life. How does Diane Cross affect April’s growth and decision-making throughout the novel?

Consider St. James’s decision to set Murder Road in 1995. What advantages does this time period offer in terms of plot and character development? What does the novel’s depiction of this past era suggest about how US culture has changed (or not changed) in the intervening years?

In Murder Road, St. James addresses April’s “prettiness” at several points in the text. Analyze St. James’s exploration of feminine beauty throughout the novel, using specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Analyze St. James’s exploration of how racial discrimination in the workplace through the characters of Robbie Jones and Kal Syed. What conclusions does she draw, and how does this theme intersect with some of the other themes of the novel?

Choose a few of the many 1990s pop culture references that St. James makes throughout the novel. What is the effect of these references on the story, and how do they deepen the meaning of the text?