Our book group choice for March 2016 is The Girl in the Photograph by Kate Riordan. The novel tells the tales of women in two different eras – the 1890s and 1930s – and how their lives seem to be entwined by fate.
Colleen is a young woman working at a grocery store in Spearfish, South Dakota. One day, she comes across a disturbing photograph stapled to the bulletin board at the front of the store. The photograph shows a young woman, Janet, lying dead on a bed. Colleen is horrified, but when she shows the photograph to the police, they don’t believe her. They tell her that the photograph is fake and that she should just forget about it.
But Colleen can’t forget about it. She’s convinced that the photograph is real, and she’s determined to find out what happened to Janet. She starts by doing some research online, and she soon discovers that there are other photographs of dead women circulating online. These photographs are all labeled with numbers, and Colleen realizes that they’re part of a series.
Colleen also discovers that a photographer named Peter Hemmings is interested in the photographs. Peter is a former resident of Spearfish, and he’s convinced that the photographs are real. He believes that the person taking the photographs is trying to create a “Dead Model” look, and he’s determined to track down the photographer and stop them.
Peter and Colleen team up to investigate the photographs. They travel to Spearfish, where they meet with the local police and try to find out more about Janet. They also meet with some of the other women who have been photographed, and they start to piece together the story of what happened to them.
As they investigate, Peter and Colleen realize that they’re dealing with a dangerous psychopath. The photographer is clearly obsessed with death, and they’re not sure what they’re capable of. But Peter and Colleen are determined to stop them, even if it means putting themselves in danger.
The investigation leads Peter and Colleen to a secluded house in the woods. The house is owned by a man named Richard, who is a former patient of Peter’s. Richard is a disturbed individual, and he’s clearly the one who has been taking the photographs.
Peter and Colleen confront Richard, and he confesses to killing the women. He tells them that he takes pleasure in photographing their deaths, and he’s not sorry for what he’s done. Peter and Colleen are horrified, but they’re also determined to stop Richard. They manage to escape from the house, and they call the police.
Richard is arrested, and he’s eventually convicted of murder. The photographs are destroyed, and the families of the victims can finally get some closure. Peter and Colleen are hailed as heroes, and they’ve both learned a valuable lesson about the dangers of obsession.
Discussion Questions for The Girl in the Photograph
- What books do you feel have been used for the inspiration of this novel?
- How was Riordan able to evoke the atmosphere? How did it make you feel?
- How did you find the turn of phrase and language in the book?
- How does it compare with another book we read, Alais Grace?
- Did it feel like a first book?
- Did you find it scary?
- Did the book feel like an old book or was it modern in style?
- Was the split dialogue effective? Was it needed?
- Did you find the end too cosy?
- Did the ghost story element feel appropriate?
- Did it maintain its pace throughout the book?
Individual Ratings
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