Shop Till You Drop

What to serve: Krispy Kreme doughnuts and chocolate-covered strawberries.

What to drink: Coffee. White wine with a cork. Box wine with an expiration date.

What to wear: Florida casual. Sunglasses required. Eyes never go naked in South Florida , but everything else can hang out. Purple optional.

(1) Juliana's dress shop has created its own society. What is the significance of the green door at Juliana's? Who is Christina, the head saleswoman, really keeping out? What is Helen's role at the dress shop?

(2) Juliana's women have had extensive plastic surgery. Helen says they have "the courage of a Roman legion" when it comes to facing the surgeon's knife. Yet their quest for beauty has disfigured them. Brittney cannot frown. Sharmayne has had a botched liposuction. Tiffany can no longer close her eyes. The women also diet to starvation. But none of their men have had plastic surgery. They don't even watch their weight. Joe, Christina's boyfriend, has a gut and is proud of it. "It's generic," he brags. Why does our society expect women to watch their weight and remain youthful, but not men? What are the implications and consequences? Why do women do this to themselves?

(3) SHOP TILL YOU DROP is set in South Florida . Look at it in the context of other Florida mystery novels, especially the humorous ones. To what degree does this mystery echo the themes found in these novels? How is it different? Is the point of view different? What about the characters? The roles of women?

(4) SHOP TILL YOU DROP is a very funny book. At what point did you realize the serious issues underneath the laughter? SHOP says a lot about women's self-image, dependency, the power of sexuality and the role of marriage in modern America.

(5) What role does Margery, the purple-clad landlady, play in Helen's life? What about Helen's friend, Sarah? And Peggy the parrot lady? Are these women a good influence on Helen or a bad one? What roles do women play in Helen's life? Are they more supportive than the men? Why? What about Helen's relationship with her mother and her sister?

(6) Jobs, dead-end and otherwise, are another theme in this book. Helen is a working woman who once made $100,000 a year. Now she "sells bustiers to bimbos." Why does Helen work these dead-end jobs? What do Juliana's women do to avoid them? Does work have dignity and purpose in this book?

(7) What is the importance of cat DNA in solving this mystery?

(8) What is the significance of the victims in SHOP? Is who dies and why important to the plot?

(9) Helen feels sorry for the dependent women at Juliana's. But her own relationships with men are not very successful. There's her ex-husband, Rob, Daniel the incredible hunk, and Cal the Canadian. When she had her regular job in St. Louis , she did not want to fight for the top job in her corporation, which was given to a man. Instead, she settled for good money and a good marriage, and finds she now has neither. How much in common does Helen have with Juliana's customers? How is she different?

(10) Helen sees the women at Juliana's "in a trap of their own devising." Is that how you see them? If so, is there any way out of this trap?

(11) Love versus money, love versus romantic fantasy, love turned to hateful murder are recurring themes in this book. What other themes do you see?

(12) Margery, Helen's landlady, tells her, "Welcome to South Florida , land of deadbeats, drunks and druggies." She says most of the men here are "some other woman's mistake." She describes Florida as a rootless place and says people are running away from something -- bad debts, bad weather, a bad marriage, a bad job. Do you think this is a fair assessment of the single men in South Florida? Is it an accurate picture of Florida culture? Helen says the Midwest doesn't have a lock on morality. Is Margery giving her a true picture of Florida --- or America in general?

Helen's Favorite Florida Eateries

in SHOP TILL YOU DROP by ELAINE VIETS

Cap's Place, 2765 NE 28th Court , Lighthouse Point. A boat will take you to Cap's Place, a venerable Florida restaurant from the rum-running days. The boat ride is free, although everyone but Cal tips the captain. Try the fresh hearts of palm salad. Reservations recommended: 954-941-0418.

Catfish Dewey's, 4003 North Andrews Avenue , Fort Lauderdale , 954-566-5333. Catfish Dewey's is almost always packed, and once you've had their hush puppies and all-you-can-eat catfish you'll know why. Prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is casual, and the waitresses are fast and efficient.

Cheeburger Cheeburger, Cheeburger Cheeburger has moved from its old location on Las Olas. There are a couple in Fort Lauderdale, including one at the airport. Deliciously drippy cheeseburgers are the specialty of this house, and a roll of paper towels on each table attests to their juiciness. Click here to find the Cheeburger near you.

Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor, 128 South Federal Highway , Dania Beach , 954-923-4445. Helen's friend Sarah swears the hot fudge sundaes at Jaxson's are "Nirvana on a spoon." The walls are decorated with old license plates and other oddities. The portions are huge.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, 2401 North Federal Highway , Fort Lauderdale , 954-565-5599. Helen and the author have both made late-night treks across Fort Lauderdale , lured by hot-from-the-oven Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The drive-through lane is open twenty-four hours. No wonder Sarah made a fortune in Krispy Kreme stock. The doughnuts are also available at Publix supermarkets. They're good, but they don't have quite the same guilty pleasure as midnight doughnuts.

Le Tub, 1100 North Ocean Drive , Hollywood , 954-921-9425. The decor is .er, commodious, with toilet and bathtub planters. The view of the Intracoastal Waterway is straight from a postcard. Helen likes the seafood salad and the gumbo. The house cat may honor you with a visit, especially if you order crab legs. Cash only.

Pollo Tropical (locations around the area). Helen, who is always short of money, appreciates this South Florida franchise. What other fast food place has fried plantain? She usually gets the grilled chicken tropi-chop for three bucks and change.