If you can't make an in-person book discussion at one of our branches this month, you could try our online discussion. And even if you are coming to the library discussion, you can get the most out of the experience by participating online, too! You'll be able to leave comments on the discussion topics below for the entire month of March. Click on a question to begin, and Have Fun!

Discussion questions are courtesy of the Michigan Center for the Book.

1. Did Paul Biegler lead Lt. Manion to an insanity defense by explaining the possible defenses and what would work best before asking him to think about what he remembered? Did you think this was ethical? How does this influence the course of the trial?
2. Do you feel that an irresistible impulse is truly a case for the insanity defense? What do you think really drove Lt. Manion's actions?
3. Since the trial was about Lt. Manion shooting Barney Quill, why would Claude Dancer imply Laura Manion was a loose woman in the cross examination? What benefit would that give the prosecution?
4. Is the trial truly about the guilt or innocence of Lt. Manion? What do you think the jury was deciding?
5. After the trial was over, did you feel justice was done?
6. Do you feel the theme of the book questions how sound our justice system is if lawyers can bend the truth and manipulate witnesses and juries?
7. Free Discussion - Use this space to raise your own issues or talk about any other aspect of the book.