Book Club Night Kit

Tear the City Down

Andre Hardy

Cozy night

A fixer who wants to go straight and just be a good dad gets pulled back into San Diego's shadows for one last search. It's a gripping crime story with a tender father-daughter heart, and it gives a cozy club plenty to talk about.

Soup, Soul, and a San Diego Mystery

Come in your coziest sweater for warm mugs, carne asada fries, and an easy evening talking about Tear the City Down. Bring your stories about home, family, and fresh starts.

Reading level: Moderate Pages: 432

Best for: Friends who love a page-turning mystery but really want to talk about family, home, and starting over

Discussion

Warm-up

1.Coltrane wants out so he can sit courtside for his daughter's tennis matches. Who showed up for you growing up, at a game, a recital, or a big moment, and how did that feel?
2.Before this book, what did San Diego mean to you? Beaches, sunshine, a trip you took? Did reading it change the picture in your head?

Digging in

1.Coltrane is both a knight and a hustler. When did you find yourself rooting for him, and when did you want to shake him? What made you keep caring about him?
2.Wanting to be 'the dad he always wanted to be' suggests Coltrane is trying to give his daughter something he may not have had. Have you ever tried to give someone the thing you once needed yourself?
3.Leaving a life you're good at, even one you've outgrown, is hard. Have you ever walked away from a job, a role, or a version of yourself? What helped you take the step?
4.This story looks at the side of a city that postcards leave out. Is there a part of your own hometown that outsiders never see but that you feel protective of?

Going deep

1.By the last page, how did you feel about Coltrane's chances at the peaceful life he wants? Did the book leave you hopeful, uneasy, or somewhere in between, and why?
2.Looking back over the whole story, which moment between Coltrane and the people he loves stayed with you most? What does it say about what 'getting out' really costs?

On the table & to sip

To eat

Sheet-Pan Carne Asada Fries

A San Diego late-night staple made cozy and shareable. One tray of crispy fries with seasoned steak, melted cheese, guacamole, and crema also works as a nod to the big game the night the running back vanishes.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

A warm bowl with a Southern California border-town soul. It simmers all afternoon, so the host can relax, and guests pile on avocado, lime, and tortilla strips at a toppings bar.

Warm Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Homey, a little indulgent, and rooted in Black family kitchen traditions. It's a sweet reminder of the family life Coltrane is fighting to protect.

To sip

Mexican Hot Chocolate (no alcohol)

Rich cocoa with cinnamon and a pinch of chili, served in mugs with a cinnamon stick. It's the non-alcoholic heart of the night.

Spiked Cafe de Olla

Cinnamon and piloncillo coffee with an optional splash of coffee liqueur. It's a warm, slow sip for a story full of long nights.

San Diego Craft Porter or Brown Ale

San Diego is famous for craft beer, and a malty dark ale is the fireside version of the city's brewing scene.