Discussion Leader: These questions are designed to start the conversation off easily, focusing on the story and characters, then leading to lessons learned in the readers’ lives.

Why do you think the opening scene focuses on the Wicksell family rather than characters at Java Joint?

The first ten chapters flip back and forth between the Scenes and Beans bloggers preparing for a party and the Wicksell trio coming closer and closer to take them all hostage. Did this technique work for you? Did it create tension? Why or why not?

What character did you connect with the most? Why?

If you found yourself in a hostage situation such as this, would you pray? What would your prayers be like? For whom?

Chief Edwards has to maintain his calm while negotiating, even while he knows one wrong move may cost the life of one of his friends. During what event in your life have you faced extreme pressure? How did you handle it? What did you learn through the process?

What event in the plot surprised you most?

Which of the three Wicksell men frighten you most? Why?

If this kind of hostage situation happened in your area, how would the town/city react? Would any group of people gather to pray?

What was the most tense moment of the story for you? Why?

What was your reaction to chapter 85? Why?

What is the spiritual symbolism of the Wicksell family? How do the events in chapter 85 help shape that symbolism?

If you’ve read the other Kanner Lake books, did Amber Morn satisfy you as an ending to the series?