Local Woman Missing

Who are the round characters in the novel, and who are the flat ones? How do the round characters change from beginning to end?

Meredith has sympathy for Bea, saying that she acted desperately in desperate circumstances. Does the novel support this position? Why or why not?

In what ways do the characters and situations in Local Woman Missing conform to or diverge from stereotypes about life in modern American suburbs? Provide several examples.

How do the novel’s two timelines illustrate characters, such as Leo, and create tension? How does Leo’s relationship with Carly illustrate his growth?

Carly’s narration stands out for her rural dialect and expressions. What other linguistic or stylistic features are unique to one of the narrators, and what does it reveal about their character?

Select a scene in which Kubica develops suspense. What literary devices and techniques does she employ to heighten tension?

Consider the prologue as a thematic introduction to the novel as a whole. How does it set the tone for the novel and lay the groundwork for its major themes?

Identify two characters who are impacted by some kind of trauma, then compare and contrast the ways they respond to or cope with that trauma. Which approach does Kubica imply is more productive, if either?