READERS GUIDE
Reader’s GuideA Lethal Lady by Nekesa Afia
Discussion Questions:
1. Louise Lloyd has left everything she’s known in Harlem behind to start a new life in Paris. Have you ever started over in a new location? What were your biggest challenges? What did you enjoy the most about the experience?
2. Louise’s neighbor Ciarán is an important part of her new life. What do you think of their friendship? How does it evolve throughout the book?
3. Louise’s friends from Harlem use letter writing to stay in touch throughout her time in Paris. Why do you think it is hard for her to write back? Is there anyone you would want to write a letter to? Why?
4. Lou receives letters from her sisters Minna and Josie. How would you describe Louise’s relationship with her sisters? What do you think about the new developments in their lives and how they might affect Louise?
5. To help find Iris and learn more about what has happened to her, Louise joins an elite group of women artists. What do you think of her decision to join their ranks? Have you ever taken a class or joined a group to explore your passion?
6. Iris’ work awakens a newfound love of art in Louise. Have you read a poem or book or viewed a painting that captivated you in a similar way? Who was the artist? How did you feel?
7. Schoonmaker and Rafael make a surprise visit to Paris. How does this visit affect Louise? How do her friendships with them compare to the new friends she’s made in Paris?
8. Despite being from very different backgrounds, Iris, Emme, and Louise all struggle in different ways to live the lives they want to live as women in 1928 Paris. Discuss the obstacles they face to live their truth. How do they work to overcome those obstacles?
9. Detective Toussaint makes choices that greatly affect the outcome of the initial investigation into Iris’ death. Do you understand why he made those choices? Do you think he did the right thing?
10. Louise’s life in Paris at the start of A Lethal Lady is very different from how we see her as the book ends. Discuss her evolution throughout. In what ways do things get harder for Louise? In what ways does her life change for the better?
