Introduction

From the national bestselling author of Whistling in the Dark comes another funny, poignant, unforgettable story.

The summer Gibby McGraw catches her big break, the cicadas are humming, and it’s so warm even the frogs are sweating. Brain damaged after a tragic car accident that took both her parents, Gibby is now NQR (Not Quite Right), a real challenge for a fledgling newspaper reporter. Especially when she stumbles upon the dead body of the next governor of Kentucky, Buster Malloy.

Armed with her trusty blue spiral note-book, Gibby figures that solving the murder might be her best chance to prove to everyone that she can become Quite Right again. But she gets more than she bargained for when she uncovers a world of corruption, racism, and family secrets in small town Cray Ridge. Lucky for her, she’s also about to discover that some things are far more important than all the brains in the world, and that miracles occur in the most unexpected moments.

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Excerpt

A Deadline

a ever notice how some folks get well-known for how they dress or hunt or even what kind of truck they drive? Along with my outstanding Scrabble playing, I'm well-known for my newspaper.

Who: Me
What: Reporting
Where: Top O' the Mornin' Diner and Pumps. Cray Ridge, Kentucky, United States of America. Conveniently located at the corner of Main and Route 12.
When: Friday, August 10, 1973
Why: 'Cause if I don't get cracking, next week's front page is gonna have all the pizzazz of a piece of one ply.

I put my favorite No. 2 back to work.

Welcome to Cray Ridge

You can set your watch by Miss Cheryl and Miss DeeDee showing up for biscuits and gravy every Sunday morning at the diner. Miss Cheryl tells me she's a secretary. Her friend, Miss DeeDee, has been experiencing some trouble with her vision, so they've been driving all the way from Paducah to visit regular with Miss Lydia. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. As a result of her brain injury, Gibby interprets the world in a slightly different way than the rest of us do. For instance, the filter that “normal” people employ to keep themselves from saying things that are “inappropriate” is not fully functioning in Gib’s brain. Do you ever wish you could be as honest as she is?

2. What is a miracle? Gibby believes. Do you?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small rural town like Cray Ridge?

4. Life has given every major character in the book lemons. Have they successfully made lemonade?

5. We all experience painful loss in our lives. Do you believe the adage “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”?

6. Gibby’s relationship with her departed mama is as alive as her other relationships. Do you believe in life after death?

7. Much of the relationship between Gibby and her grampa is based on his desire to keep her safe. How do you balance your need to keep your children out of harm’s way and yet encourage them to be brave?

8. Clever is a wild child. What do you envision her future to be?

9. Many of Gibby’s observations of the “colored” characters in the book would now be considered politically incorrect. What do you think of political correctness? Does it at times keep us further apart rather than bring us together?

10. How do you think the Vietnam War affected us as a coun-? try? On a personal level? Were you supportive or did you protest? Why?

11. Gibby finds spiritual solace at Land of a Hundred Wonders. How do you nourish your soul?

12. The relationship between Gibby and Clever is at times adversarial yet you sense that they’d defend each other to the end. Although not related by blood, the two of them function as sisters. Does your relationship with your sister at all resemble the characters’? Do you have a friend with whom you have this sort of relationship?

13. In keeping with the old-time cowboy theme, a few of the characters in the book are stereotypically black-hatted. Do you think people can be born evil or do they behave this way as a result of their experiences?

14. Gib endows Keeper with almost magical powers. Why do you think that is?

15. Miss Lydia is a complex character. Discuss her function within the story.

16. Gibby’s memory, or the lack of it, plays a substantial role in the novel. Can you imagine what it would be like to lose your memory? How much of who we are is based on our past?

17. As Gibby says, “Hope springs internal.” Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt you would not have had the courage to go on without the belief in a hopeful outcome?

18. Janice Lever surprises us in the end. Have you ever known anyone whom you believed to be of questionable virtues do a complete turnaround?

19. At one point in the story, Gibby dispenses eye-for-an-eye justice and is not punished for her actions. Did you find this righteous or offensive?

20. Certain relationships within the story were considered taboo during the early seventies. Do you think times have changed?

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