Reading Group Gold discussion

1. Judy and Mary are best friends, but they are very different. For instance, Judy is more able to take risks and roll with the punches than Mary, who likes to plan, process, and is generally more timid. Are you a Judy or Mary? Do you take risk easily or do you avoid it? As you get older, do you take more risks, or less?

2. In Betrayed, Judy investigates a death she believes is a murder, and she does this because she cares about justice. Justice is at the heart of so many of Lisa’s books because she believes that she has a powerful “justice bone”—a strong urge to see that the right thing happens, and even to make things right, when others are not. Do you have a “justice bone?” Have you ever spoken up, when others would not? What was the result?

3. Judy and her mother vary on their opinions of illegal immigrants, although they both learn a lot about the issue throughout the course of the novel. In writing Betrayed, Lisa did extensive research on the topic, and learned a lot herself. Do you identify more with Judy or her mother? What did you learn about illegal immigration that you did not previously know? After reading the book did your opinion change at all? If so, how?

4. Judy and Mary would likely disagree on some of their views of illegal immigration as well. How do you and your best friend handle situations in which you disagree? Do you avoid topics such as politics, religion, or other hot-button topics, or do you enjoy discussing them with someone you are close with? What is the most significant thing that you and your best friend disagree about?

5. Harvesting mushrooms is not a pleasant or an easy job, and one that many would not be willing to do. Would you be willing to do it? What are the limits of what you’d be willing to do for work? What job do you wish you had?

6. Many industries are supported by illegal workers, and doing so has become an “open secret” that is often ignored by the government and law enforcement. Why do you think this holds true? If you were in political office, what changes would you suggest in dealing with this important issue?

7. Having spent so much time with Mary’s warm, loving family, Judy comes to the realization that her family felt connected by the activities they did together, whereas Mary’s operated on a more emotional level. What kind of connection does your family have? What are your favorite family memories? What is one thing you would change about your family?

8. Lisa often explores, researches, and writes about issues that are relevant to women, and in Betrayed, she tackles the extremely important topic of breast cancer. What are some other women’s issues that you would like to see Lisa write about? What do you think is the most important issue facing women today? In what ways can women be more
supportive of other women?

9. The idea of the traditional family is blurred in Betrayed. For a variety of reasons, sometimes we need to create family, and we find it through friendships, communities, or churches. Besides your blood family, who in your life do you consider family?

10. In the novel, Judy feels like she “blew her lead.” She feels left behind as her best friend makes partner, and is getting married. Do you think it is possible to be happy for someone else, even though you might be jealous at the same time? If Mary wasn’t getting married, do you think Judy would still have felt discontent in her relationship? When you feel jealous, does it motivate you to work harder for what you want, or does it bring you down? In what ways do you think Judy and Mary’s relationship will change when Mary gets married?