The Night Shift

Reviews of The Night Shift often praise it by calling it “fast-paced.” Describe what techniques the author employs to cultivate this sense of pacing, using specific examples from the text.

Analyze the character of Jesse Duvall. How do her actions and her backstory serve as red herrings that add ambiguity and suspense to the plot? Consider at least three examples from the text in your response.

Compare and contrast Jesse and Ella. What aspects of their shared experiences help them to bond, and how do they each attempt to deal with their trauma?

Considering location, time, and atmosphere, discuss the ways in which at least three different settings influence the tone and the action of the story.

Keller’s perspective sometimes depicts a tense relationship between the FBI and local law enforcement. How do these scenes contribute to the novel’s mood and tone, and how does this friction complicate the plot? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

Ella, Chris, and Keller all have significant romantic relationships when the novel begins. How do these relationships characterize each of the protagonists? Consider the different outcomes of these relationships and discuss how these details deliver an implicit commentary about the long-term effects of trauma.

Compare and contrast the voice and style of the narration in Ella, Chris, and Keller’s chapters, respectively. What are the benefits of narrating the story through multiple viewpoints?

What do Atticus’s character and his death symbolize? Use textual support to develop your answer.