A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson

 What if there were no rules for serial killers?  No common element.  No trail to the same killer with the same MO.  What if someone just killed because they could any time the wanted to, in any way they pleased?  That's what you would call a talent for murder.

Ethan Saltz is that talented.  He started with his grandfather at a young age.  The dying man was put out of his misery, but not because Ethan felt terrible about his situation.  It was because Ethan wanted his room back!  Did he feel bad about it?  No!  He was ultimately indifferent to the crime and, what's worse, he got away with it. 

He goes on to kill several more people and manipulate others.  But it is when he meets Martha that he finally finds a project worth working on.  That is until Lily interferes!  As life goes one, Ethan finds a way to get back at Martha.  Then his eyes are set on Lily.

But the twist here - there is more than one serial killer in this story!

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Discussion Questions:

1. Who did you think was the main character of the book?
2. What was intriguing about Martha's marriage to Alan?
3. When Martha suspects Alan of murder, what are her options?  Which would you have chosen?
4. Lily describes herself as a monster to Ethan when she helped Martha to get away from him when they were younger.  Why do you think she does that?
5. Ethan describes killing his grandfather when he was young.  Did you find his death important?
6. What was the significance of sex, in relation to murder, throughout the book?
7. What are your thoughts about Lily and Harry's decision in the end?
8. Who do you think the ghost was?