Plot Problems
Where is Skink at the very beginning of the novel?
Buried in sand on a Florida beach to catch a turtle egg thief.
Who is Skink really (besides a swamp wanderer)?
Former governor of Florida.
Why does Richard have to drive Skink’s car?
Skink injures his foot.
What does devastated most nearly mean?
Extremely upset / destroyed emotionally
After they lose the canoe, what risky action does Skink take?
Jumps in the water to retrieve it.
What major event causes Richard and Skink to lose the canoe?
An alligator grabs the fish tied to it and drags it away.
What is Richard’s “Saint Augustine secret”?
He shoplifted a skateboard.
Why does Richard pretend to go camping?
To leave with Skink without suspicion.
What does aggravate mean?
To irritate / annoy
After Richard tells Nickel about the shoebox of money, what happens?
Nickel agrees to take him further.
How do police learn Malley did not fly to New Hampshire?
Surveillance shows her getting into a car with a man.
Why does Skink care so much about protecting wildlife?
Strong environmental beliefs / hates people who harm nature.
Why does Skink pour beer into the SUV’s gas tank?
The driver littered.
Use exaggerate in a sentence related to Skink.
Skink tends to exaggerate his adventures.
After Skink injures his foot, what changes?
Richard becomes driver.
Why does Richard stay home instead of going to Gainesville?
In case Malley contacts him.
How would you describe Malley’s personality
Impulsive — She runs off with someone she met online.
Self-centered — She leaves without fully considering how it will affect her family.
Naïve — She believes Talbo is sweet and trustworthy.
Why does Richard give Nickel money?
To take him to the houseboat.
What does obscured mean?
Blocked / hidden from view
After Malley calls Richard sounding annoyed, what does that suggest?
She may be in trouble.
Why does Richard think Malley’s trip to New Hampshire is suspicious?
It doesn’t fit her personality / hidden note / seems like a lie.
How did Skink lose his eye?
A man kicked him in the face.
Why does Richard think the ivory-billed woodpecker mention is important?
It might be a coded message.
What does inconspicuous mean?
Hard to notice
Based on Ch. 1–12, what major danger is Malley likely facing?
Being trapped or manipulated by Talbo.