What Happened to the McCrays

From New York Times bestselling author Tracey Lange, a poignant story about the resilience of family, the importance of community, and the magic of middle school hockey.

When Kyle McCray gets word his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, where he doesn't expect a warm welcome. Kyle left suddenly two and a half years ago, abandoning people who depended on him: his father, his employees, his friends-not to mention Casey, his wife of sixteen years and a beloved teacher in town. He plans to lie low and help his dad recuperate until he can leave again, especially after Casey makes it clear she wants him gone.

The longer he's home, the more Kyle understands the impact his departure has had on the people he left behind. When he's presented with an opportunity for redemption as the coach of the floundering middle school hockey team, he begins to find compassion in unexpected places. Kyle even considers staying in Potsdam, but that's only possible if he and Casey can come to some kind of peace with each other.

Full of love and hope, What Happened to the McCrays? takes an intimate look at both sides of a failed marriage and two people who must finally confront the awful pain of their past or risk being consumed by it. From the publisher

Celadon Books | January 14, 2025 | 352 pages | ISBN:978-1250328434

1. Although the story is centered on Casey and Kyle, they are part of a wide cast of characters that make up the book. Did you bond with any in particular?

2. If you could have advised one character during the story, who would it be and what would you have said?

3. The story is told in a "then and now" format, moving between the past and present of Casey and Kyle's relationship. How did this affect your reading experience and your understanding of their history?

4. How do you think the novel's close-knit small-town setting affected the characters' decisions?

5. When Kyle returns to Potsdam, he finds that, contrary to his expectations, most people do not harbor resentment about him leaving. Why do you think this is, and why do you think Kyle expected anger?

6. The circumstances of Casey and Kyle's divorce are slowly revealed over the course of the novel. Were you surprised when the loss of Charlie was revealed? How did it make you think about what you had already read?

7. Casey and Kyle dreamed of traveling together, but they also feel a close connection to their small hometown of Potsdam. What role do you think this dream of traveling plays in their lives?

8. The middle school students that Casey teaches and Kyle coaches play a significant role in the story, especially because they are in the same grade that Charlie was in. How do you think interacting with these students helped both characters confront their past?

9. Lack of communication is a major issue for Casey and Kyle as they rekindle their relationship. Did you find their struggles with vulnerability and honesty relatable?

10. Compare and contrast how Kyle and Casey dealt with their emotional pain. What were the differences and similarities? Could you relate to one or more?

11. What did Charlie's tragedy bring up for you? Did it hit close to home in any way?

12. What significance does Star have in the story? Why is she part of it?

13. Wyatt and Casey have a very close relationship. Is their sibling dynamic familiar to you? Why do you think they begin to live more independently by the end of the novel?

14. Have you read books by this author before? What themes from What Happened to the McCrays? do you recognize from her other books? Did you find the Easter eggs?

Book Club Talking Points:
"What Happened to the McCrays?" is a perfect book club pick because it's so much more than just a mystery; it's about the ripple effects of family secrets and how the past truly shapes the present. Your group will have endless discussions about the characters' motivations, the moral dilemmas they face, and how different generations cope with unresolved trauma. The small-town setting also invites conversations about community, judgment, and the power of buried truths.

"Lange has proved herself to be a deft spinner of shamrock-tinged family yarns... Her portrait of complicated, deeply rooted relationships is a sight to behold." -The New York Times Book Review

"The novel's emotional range is impressive, particularly the slow-burn rekindling between its two leads, and snowy, close-knit Potsdam comes to life. Readers in search of a perceptive and rewarding family drama need look no further." -Publishers Weekly

"Lange's characters are memorable, and their struggles feel epic yet real." -Booklist