Jerusalem’s Undead Trilogy HAUNT OF JACKALS a novel by Eric Wilson

-- reading group guide --

1. A new uber-Collector is revealed in the prologue. What made his presence menacing? Was it believable? Did you remember that his father, Lord Ariston, had wondered about this missing son in the early chapters of Field of Blood?

2. Did you agree with Gina’s early decision to lead the Collectors away from Cal and Dov? What did you think about her interaction with the abused Romanian wife? And later, her confrontation with the husband?

3. Cal tries to mentor Dov even as they are on the run. Which of their interactions did you enjoy? In what ways did you see Dov begin to wrestle with his own insecurities and past?

4. Castle Bran is a real place in Romania, as are all locations throughout this series. Was there any foreshadowing in the fact that Gina and Teo met in such a place? As Gina struggles with her feelings for men in her life, did you favor one more than the others?

5. As the story progresses, did you begin to suspect the identity of the anonymous journaler? Did you find this part of the plot a distraction, or did you find it worthwhile once the truth was revealed?

6. The Collectors have specific goals: to feed, breed, persuade, and possess? How did they pursue these goals at the Haunt of Jackals? What were your thoughts about the collage of Six, No Seven Things within the caverns?

7. Cal Nichols reveals his connections to Gina in a Bucharest café. Did you find Gina’s reactions believable? Why do you think she still hesitated to drink the Nazarene Blood?

8. Natira traverses the globe, on the prowl for the Concealed Ones? Were the snippets of him doing so effective in raising the stakes? Did they make the story seem smaller or larger in scope?

9. Gina and her adopted son take on new names and live in relative safety for a time? Did you find the name change confusing? If you’ve read Eric’s earlier book, Expiration Date, did you make the connections between the two stories and series?

10. A Rasputin prophecy begins drawing Erota and Natira together again. Did you enjoy this historical element? Did you like the additional explanation of the true-to-life D.B. Cooper mystery? Had you heard of it before reading this story?

11. Teo takes steps to be with Gina, but not all turns out as he plans. How did you feel about his final scene? Would you have liked it better if things turned out differently?

12. When Gina and Kenny face the werewolf, the vircolac, in what ways do they show us how they’ve changed? Did you think their joint acceptance of Nazarene Blood fit their characters?

DOUBLY DEAD? OR DOUBLY ALIVE? YOUR SOUL IS AT STAKE  - Romans 6:11