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Tempted by Trouble Reader’s Guide

By Eric Jerome Dickey

Tempted by Trouble by Eric Jerome Dickey

Tempted by Trouble Reader’s Guide

By Eric Jerome Dickey

Category: Romance | Suspense & Thriller

READERS GUIDE

Questions and Topics for Discussion

ABOUT ERIC JEROME DICKEY

Eric Jerome Dickey’s novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar’s Game, Between Lovers, Thieves’ Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar’s Game, Thieves’ Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. His books have held steady positions on regional bestseller lists and have been featured in many publications, including ESSENCE, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. Dickey’s last novel, Pleasure, held true to form and landed on bestseller lists for The New York Times, USA Today, and ESSENCE.


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
  • Why does Dymtryk go along with Eddie and take on this new lifestyle if he doesn’t agree with it?

  • If you were in Abbey Rose’s position when first encountering Dmytryk, would you have done anything differently? What do you think Dymtryk would have done if Jackie weren’t around?

  • Why do you think Dmytryk’s thoughts often turn to Abbey Rose? What is the purpose of having her book and picture appear throughout the story?

  • Define Dmytryk’s feelings towards Jackie Brown. Do you think he feels any loyalties towards her and helping her get back her son?

  • Dmytryk and Cora clearly had different philosophies on commitment and marriage. Who do you most agree with and why?

  • Do you think it’s possible for Dmytryk to walk away from a life of crime? Or do you think his past will eventually catch up to him?

  • What is the significance of Dmytryk’s signature fedora and pocket watch? Why are these objects so important to Dmytryk?

  • Does your outlook on criminals change after hearing Dmytryk’s story? Do you feel sympathetic?

  • What lengths do you think you’d be willing to go to survive financial distress? Are criminal actions ever justifiable?

  • What role, if any, does religion play in the book? Why do you think Eddie Coyle targets a church, and does this affect your perception of the characters’ actions in any way?
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