| 1. | Do you think this story could really happen? Why or why not? |
| |
| 2. | Are there really people as cold and ruthless as Madec in our world? Have you encountered anyone like him? How did this person make you feel? |
| |
| 3. | Why didn't Madec just shoot Ben immediately after Ben said he wouldn't hide the accident? |
| |
| 4. | Which of Ben's ordeals (e.g., thinking he was dying of thirst, or being shot at as he climbed the butte, or burying himself alive in the sand) do you consider the worst to endure? |
| |
| 5. | Ben describes his relation to Madec as a chain tying them together. What do you think this means? Do you think this is an apt image? |
| |
| 6. | Twice during the novel Ben describes himself as feeling nothing for Madec. Do you think this is strange? |
| |
| 7. | When Ben finally is shooting Madec with the slingshot, why doesn't he shoot to kill? What does this say about Ben? |
| |
| 8. | Madec describes himself as a "professional liar." Do you think Ben was naive to bring Madec to the sheriff's station the way that he did? |
| |
| 9. | The original title of this story was "The Marauder." Do you think that would have been a more intriguing title, or do you like "Deathwatch?" |
| |
| 10. | At the time this story was written, people didn't have ready access to computers or cell phones. What difference would those items have made to this story? |
| |
| 11. | Forensic science television shows are very popular now, but at the time this was written, books didn't often go into much detail. Did you like the way such details were handled in this book? |
| |
| 12. | Ben not only has to outwit his human opponent, but he also has to survive the cruelty of the desert climate. Which enemy is more dangerous, man or nature? |
| |
| 13. | How did the lack of belief in Ben's story by the police, judge and even his uncle affect you? Did you fear the way the story would end? |
| |
| 14. | Are there any parts of the story that you especially liked or would like to discuss? |
| |
| 15. | Have you read any other adventure/survival books that reminded you of this story or that you would like to recommend? |
| |
