Pretty Is As Pretty Dies Reading Kit

Pretty Is As Pretty Dies

Pretty Is As Pretty Dies is the first book in the Myrtle Clover Mystery Series by Elizabeth Spann Craig. The amateur sleuth is Myrtle Clover, a retired teacher in Bradley, North Carolina. When 80-something-year-old Myrtle finds a dead body in the church, she decides to solve the mystery of whodunit to show her police chief son, Red, that she isn’t ready to be put out to pasture quite yet. Read more about Pretty Is As Pretty Dies.

Pretty Is As Pretty Dies Discussion Questions

Note: If you aren’t in a book club, you can still use these questions to reflect on the story after you read it.

• What three words would you use to describe Myrtle Clover?

• Do you think Myrtle’s age helps or hinders her sleuthing abilities?

• What is your favorite thing about Myrtle’s sidekick, Miles?

• Who is your favorite character besides Myrtle and Miles?

• Would you like to live in Bradley, North Carolina?

• Myrtle’s favorite soap opera is Tomorrow’s Promise. What soap operas have you watched?

• Did you have a favorite scene in the book? What did you like about this scene?

• Were you able to identify the killer before Myrtle did?

• What red herrings threw you off the real culprit’s trail?

• What did you think of the ending of Pretty Is As Pretty Dies?

• Would you like to see Pretty Is As Pretty Dies turned into a TV series or movie? Who would you pick to play Myrtle?

• The Myrtle Clover Mystery series has more than two dozen books and counting. Do you have any predictions for future books in this series?

• Will you read the next book in the series, Progressive Dinner Deadly?

Fun Activities for a Pretty Is As Pretty Dies Book Club Meeting

• Myrtle is a terrible cook. Instead of making food for the book club meeting, pull a Myrtle and ask every member to bring their favorite store-bought cookie or snack to share.

• In honor of Myrtle’s “Helpful Hints” column, ask every book club member to bring an index card or a piece of paper with a “helpful hint” on it. Then, take turns reading the hints out loud.

• Myrtle is a retired teacher. Ask everyone to share a quick story about their favorite teacher.

• Elaine’s French is a little rusty. Play a game to see who knows the most French. Ask everyone to say one French word that they know. Keep going in a circle, with everyone saying just one word at a time. If you can’t come up with a word when it’s your turn, you’re out of the game. Whoever knows the most French words wins.

• Myrtle loves classic literature. Ask everyone to share the title of their favorite classic book with the group.

Interview with Author Elizabeth Spann Craig

Read an interview with Elizabeth Spann Craig, the author of Pretty Is As Pretty Dies. Get book news, recipes, and a free ebook when you sign up for Elizabeth’s free newsletter on her website, www.elizabethspanncraig.com.