Sterling Heights Book Club Meetup Group

Murdered artists. Masterful forgeries. Art crime at its worst.

It's up to a brilliant autistic investigator to keep a ruthless killer from striking again. World-renowned expert in nonverbal communication Doctor Genevieve Lenard investigates insurance claims. Not murder. So when her boss asks her to help his acerbic friend look into the death of a young artist, her autistic mind rebels against the change.

A straightforward murder investigation quickly turns into a quagmire of stolen Eurocorps weapons, a money-laundering charity, forged art and high-ranking EU officials abusing their power. As if this isn't enough, she reluctantly teams up with an international thief whose knowledge of the art world proves invaluable.

Forced out of her predictable routines, safe environment and limited social interaction, Genevieve is thrown into being part of a team in a race to stop a ruthless killer from targeting more artists.

🧠 Character and Neurodiversity

• Genevieve’s Perspective: Dr. Genevieve Lenard is a world-renowned expert in nonverbal communication who also has high-functioning autism. How did viewing the story through her literal-minded, pattern-seeking mind shape your reading experience?
• Literal vs. Figurative: Genevieve frequently struggles with slang, sarcasm, and everyday idioms. Did you find her blunt, filter-free interactions humorous, or did the misunderstandings slow down the story for you?
• The Growth of Accommodations: As the mystery deepens, the "good guy" characters naturally adjust their behavior to accommodate Genevieve’s sensory needs and aversion to touch. How did this contrast with how society usually expects neurodivergent people to adapt?

🎨 Art, Crime, and Logic

• The Illusion of Value: The plot revolves around masterful art forgeries, high-stakes insurance claims, and money laundering. Did this book change the way you think about the real-world value of famous art? Does a painting lose its beauty if it is proven to be a fake?
• Body Language as a Weapon: Genevieve uses micro-expressions and physical tells to solve crimes rather than traditional weapons. How reliable do you think nonverbal communication analysis really is in a criminal investigation?
• Unlikely Allies: Genevieve is forced out of her safe, predictable routine to team up with Colin, an international art thief. Why do you think a straight-laced insurance investigator and a criminal make such a highly effective team?

🗺️ Setting, Structure, and Style

• The European Backdrop: The story takes place across European settings like France and involves high-ranking EU officials. How did this international, high-society backdrop affect the mood and stakes of the investigation?
• Pacing and Dialogue: Much of the actual puzzle-solving happens through intense dialogue and data-crunching in closed rooms rather than flashy action scenes. Did you enjoy this intellectual, slow-burn approach?
• Series Potential: This book successfully kicks off a very long-running series. Based on the ending, do you feel invested enough in Genevieve and her new team to read the next installment?

For three decades following World War II, the Great Lakes overtook Europe as the epicenter of global economic strength. The region was the beating heart of the world economy, possessing all the power and prestige Silicon Valley does today. And no ship represented the apex of the American Century better than the 729-foot-long Edmund Fitzgerald―the biggest, best, and most profitable ship on the Lakes.

But on November 10, 1975, as the “storm of the century” threw 100 mile-per-hour winds and 50-foot waves on Lake Superior, the Mighty Fitz found itself at the worst possible place, at the worst possible time. When she sank, she took all 29 men onboard down with her, leaving the tragedy shrouded in mystery for a half century.

In The Gales of November, award-winning journalist John U. Bacon presents the definitive account of the disaster, drawing on more than 100 interviews with the families, friends, and former crewmates of those lost. Bacon explores the vital role Great Lakes shipping played in America’s economic boom, the uncommon lives the sailors led, the sinking’s most likely causes, and the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind―"the wives, the sons, and the daughters,” as Gordon Lightfoot sang in his unforgettable ballad.

Focused on those directly affected by the tragedy, The Gales of November is both an emotional tribute to the lives lost and a propulsive, page-turning narrative history of America’s most-mourned maritime disaster.

🚢 Discussion Questions for The Gales of November

• The Human Element: John U. Bacon focuses heavily on the crew members and the families they left behind. How did learning about their personal lives and final phone calls change how you felt about the tragedy?
• The Power of the Lakes: People often forget how dangerous the Great Lakes can be compared to the ocean. How does the book describe the unique, terrifying power of "The Witch of November" storms on Lake Superior?
• The Mystery of the Sinking: Because the ship sank so fast without a distress signal, there are still many theories about exactly what went wrong (e.g., hitting a shoal, a structural snap, or massive waves). After reading the evidence in the book, which theory does your group find most believable?
• Arthur M. Anderson: The captain and crew of the Arthur M. Anderson risked their own lives to turn back into the hurricane-force storm to search for survivors. What did you think of their bravery, and how would you have reacted in that situation?
• Grief and Legacy: How did the families fight to protect the wreckage site as a gravesite? Do you agree with the restrictions placed on diving down to the ship today?
• The Anthem: Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald made the tragedy immortal. Did reading the actual history make you appreciate the song more, or did you notice areas where the song took creative liberties?