1. Talk about the moral justification for
assassination.
His employer decided who among the
living and breathing would qualify as a target. And then
they turned to men like Robie to end the living and
breathing part. It made the world better, was the
justification
.
What do you think of "sanctioned
assassinations?" Can there ever be, as the last sentence of the
above quote says, a "justification" for political killing? Are
assassinations sometimes necessary for public safety?
2. What do you think of Will Robie? How would
you describe him as a character? Is he presented as one-dimensional—or
does the author give him an psychological and emotional inner life? Does
he have a moral compass?
3. Do you think our government ever employs hit men like Robie?
4. What makes Robie refuse to kill the target of his newest assignment?
What makes him suspicious?
5. What do you think about Julie Getty? Does she represent the
stereotypical foster child? Why does Robie decide to ally himself with
her? When did he (and you, as the reader) begin to suspect that she was
at the heart of the mission he was assigned to?
6. The plot consists of two climactic episodes: one when the villain is
unmasked, and the second, well...we won't spoil that one. Did you find
the climaxes satisfying? One more so than the other? Are the endings
believable? Were you surprised...not surprised...gratified? Are all the
loose ends tied up, so that all the mystifying events that take place
earlier in the novel are revealed and resolved?
7. The thriller genre is characterized by a fast-paced plot, unexpected
twists and turns, danger and suspense. Does The Innocent live
up to its reputation as a thriller? Top-notch...or so-so?
8. If you're read other books by David Baldacci, how does this compare?
9. Do expect—hope—that The Innocent will be the first in a new
Will Robie series?
* Some questions from
LitLovers.