1. Before reading THE AMALFI CURSE, had you heard of stregheria, the Italian word for witchcraft? Are you superstitious, and/or do you believe that certain people have inexplicable abilities that seem to transcend the laws of nature?

2. Across both the historical and present-day narratives, the characters explore the concept of treasure --- what it means and what it doesn’t. How does each character’s perspective reveal their values? And how do you define treasure?

3. Have you ever gone scuba diving or snorkeling? Did you discover anything interesting underwater?

4. How would you describe your relationship with the sea, or with nature more generally? What is your earliest memory of the ocean?

5. Mari faces a difficult choice when she realizes her lover, Holmes, is on the ship she intends to sink. Were you surprised when she proceeded with her plan, even though it meant dooming her lover to a watery death? What would you have done differently if you were in her position?

6. Were you surprised when you learned that Corso wrote the letter to the Mazza brothers at the beginning of the book? Who else in the story did you suspect of writing the letter?

7. Throughout the story, Haven grapples with grief over her late father and the treasure he left for her to find. How did you feel about Haven when you learned she kept this a secret from her team? Did you ever question her motives and values?

8. In Holmes’ letters to Mari, he alludes to something of extraordinary value hidden away on his ship. What did you think the treasure was? Did you ever suspect it was a person?

9. Savina is arguably the story’s most complicated character. What did you think of her practicing witchcraft to protect Enzo? Do you consider her a wicked character? Would you put an entire region at risk if it meant protecting your child?

10. What were the story’s most surprising moments for you? Were you surprised when you learned that certain key characters had survived, despite the author leading you to believe otherwise?

11. Toward the end of the story, Haven returns to the archive and uses a genealogical database to locate a living descendent of the streghe. Have you researched any of your ancestors? Have you found anything surprising in your own genealogical research?