Before We Were Innocent, by Ella Berman

 

Characters

Joni Le Bon (Bonnier) Willa Bailey – fiancée Zoey – cheating with her   Elizabeth “Bess” Winter Steven – brother, Nova wife 5oulm8s – dating site, investigates and settles complaints   Evangelene “Ev” Aetos Stavros and Freya – parents Theo – brother, wife Sophia Home is Tinos – Greek Island

Minor Characters

Detectives Frost and Jenkins – investigating Willa’s disappearance   Zack, Bardo and Robbie – Theo’s friends the summer of Ev’s death   Lucien Miller – Willa’s lover, arrested

 

1.      Why did Joni make up the story about her being with Bess and Ev when Ev died when the truth left her totally beyond suspicion?  In 2018 Steven told Bess, “It makes zero sense why Joni would tell you to lie.  She placed you both at the scene of the crime when you weren’t there.  That makes no sense” (page 324).

2.      In 2018, Bess tells Steven “It was my fault Evangeline fell…I decided not to mention the path down to the beach that turned out to be hauntingly easy to traverse” (page 323).  Was it her fault?

3.      Discuss Joni’s and Bess’ reaction when they got home from Greece.  Joni used the experience to launch her entire career and Bess withdrew from society. 

4.      When Joni’s book was published, did the conversation with Bess and the dedication change or add to your idea of Joni?  She told Bess, “The book’s about the choices we make every day, often without realizing it” (page 271).

5.      Why do you think Joni planned for the book release to be on the 10-year anniversary of Ev’s death?

 6.      Why do you think Joni did what she did?  On page 335 Bess thought, “All this time I blamed myself for what happened when Joni could have put me out of my misery be telling me one single truth – it wasn’t my fault.”   Later Bess realized, “Only now I understand more.  I understand why she’s dedicated her entire life’s work to helping people like me…it was because of what she did to me on that beach in Mykonos.  For not only pulling me down with her but making me feel grateful for the privilege” (pages 335-336).

7.      What do you think happened to Joni in the end?

8.      How do you think Bess moved on after Joni’s disappearance?   Did she continue to isolate herself from the world or rejoin it?