Audrey Jane’s Comments (group member since May 27, 2014)

Audrey Jane’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

DQs Day 2 - Ch 12 - 22

1. What do you make of the ronin Okame, their new travel companion ? Will he tag along with Yumeko and Tatsumi until the end of their mission?

2. Apart from providing us with her point of view of the events happening on Lady Satomi's side. What will be Suki's further role in the story ?

3. What do you think about how Yumeko and Tatsumi's relationship is developing ? At least Tatsumi is dealing with some conflicting emotions towards her. How do you think he will react when he learns about the true location of the scrolls ?

Genre spell-out was my first Wheel as well as my first NBRC team challenge.

Cat wrote: "Morning! Hope everyone's been saving up their tricky letters for this! :D"

Have been carefully banking them just for this...



Bring on the U's and Y's!

Due to a hectic weekend I'm a bit behind. Will try to catch up and post my questions tomorrow.

Day 1 DQs

1. There's a huge difference in Yumeko's and Tatsumi's personalities. While Yumeko has a sunny outlook on most things, bubbling with innocence and curiosity, Tatsumi was taught to look at himself as nothing above a weapon at the hands of the Kage. How do you think their relationship will evolve, considering these differences? Do you see them being romantically involved through the end of the series?
They will learn from each other. It seems to me that Tatsumi will mellow during his journey with Yumeko.
For the moment I don't see them romantically involved, maybe after some character development as Yumeko's behaviour is still a bit juvenile. Everything is still new for her, there's still a lot to experience.

2. We meet a stranger in Chapter 11, who happened to be at the right place at the right time to save Yumeko from the wind witch. Do you buy that he was just around in the neighborhood? Do you think we'll meet him again? Did he give you good or bad vibes?
Likely we will see him again. He knows about the scrolls, he's on a mission on his own. For the moment good.

3. What do you think of the world building so far? It seemed like it was all over the place in the beginning of the book, especially with so many non-english words, it got very hard to follow and remember them all. But, as the story progressed, I thought that the setting became a lot more digestible. What are your thoughts?
It's true that there are a lot of terms/names to keep track off. At times like these I'm grateful for the Japanese history class I took at uni. I do think that the japanese words thrown in the conversations are a bit unnecessary to me since I'm already assuming that they speak japanese.
Agree with Cat and Basanja, I find Suki's ghost story interesting and want to read more about it.

Aiswrya wrote: "Started the book a couple days ago given my very slow reading pace. I'm enjoying the writing so far, I definitely appreciate the humor to lighten the book. But, I must say that the story itself isn..."

Same here and I agree! It was recommended to me to listen to this one as the narrators did an excellent job. They are great. I'm enjoying it because of this as well. That and the Japanese mythology.

Ooh, Eldarwen, I read that book during TT. Not only very atmospheric but based on a true story ! Considering our BOM discussion this month, I think you might appreciate Laura Purcell.

All nominations so far are great.

@Cat: Yes, if you need volunteers, I'm in :)

Good to know. I will probaly give Swordheart a chance, just in case I might not have been in the right mood with Grace.

Lexi wrote: "Audrey, which one did you read? I enjoy T. Kingfisher's romance fantasy books esp the three ones with the rat god. I also highly recommend her MG books even to people who don't usu read MG, startin..."

I read Paladin's Grace. I have Clockwork Boys on the shelves and wanted to give that one a try next. It seems Swordheart is linked to that book or at least set in the same world. I do enjoy MG books so I've added the one you recommended :)

Alysa wrote: "That was such a great book! I read it years ago and I think it's still the only T. Kingfisher boo..."

It was really creative. I loved it. I read one of T. Kingfisher's romance fantasy books afterwards but it didn't work for me. I want to try another of her horror/mystery books :)
Hopefully things get better for you at work.
(Hope you enjoyed Cobra Kai. I had a soft spot for Johnny)

I will join. I really enjoyed The Seventh Bride by the same author this year.

DQ'S DAY 3 - Part 3 and Epilogue. - When all will be revealed..

11. The book features a myriad of intriguing characters and we have touched on the major players but what about the secondary characters? Discuss the characters and roles of Vera Barker, Gregory Joseph and Davey Reedman and their importance in the story.
Vera Barker seems like a kind person. It's unfortunate we didn't get to meet her while she's alive. Her death was the most confusing to me at first. I got sidetracked thinking Cassie was involved in her demise not counting on Crowther at all. Thinking about it now, if I remember correctly, when the 4 men were invited to the church, people seemed to have recognized Woolston and Brook (White's face was not familiar to Connie) but no one mentioned seeing Crowther even though they know his face. I kept being misled by the fact that Crowley Gifford was there and assuming he was part of the club. It seems that during Crowther's absence he was busy with Vera. The way I see it, he thought Vera was send by Gifford in order to blackmail the men about the hush money.

My initial reaction to Gregory Joseph's sacrifice was that I found it unfortunate since he had quite some redeeming qualities. However I think it's fitting, he believed in being on the side of the good people and had kind of a sense of justice. I like his role as "double spy" at the beginning and his slow realization that he should pick a side, do what is right by him, and in the end choses Cassie's.

Davey is the MVP haha. I liked that boy. Great addition to the set of characters. He has a promising future.

12. Kate Mosse is a beautifully descriptive writer who uses words, imagery, landscape and even the weather to bring her world to life. Discuss in regards to the tone and theme of the novel.

Indeed, I think it's almost (almost!) a pity that there wasn't a proper autumn weather outside while reading this book (I read it while sunbathing in my garden when it was 30°C).
The last chapter with the storm weather was intense. It kept me on my toes. I love how clever it was written; giving us just enough clues here and there without being able to figure out the whole picture. I liked the bird imagery as well. It's the kind of book I want to take notes while reading in order to figure out the puzzle.

13. "Crime, Punishment, Judgement" are the final words the mysterious narrator leaves us with in her last letter. Your thoughts on this as the action races towards its denouement?
Agree with what Eldarwen wrote. It's definitely skewed but understandable in a way. She said she would never be at peace as long they were walking around freely. The 10 years in between only made it worse for her. It's always sad when justice fails especially when there are powerful/wealthy men involved. At some point the director of the asylum called Cassie dilusional and "falsely accusing men". They didn't even make some inquiry just in order to check if there might be some base of truth. This makes me think of today's rape/domestic violence cases that gets trivialized or discarded immediately. So I don't see how Cassie could have found peace.

14. And finally, the ending! Together we all just about pieced it together so did it play out as you imagined. Did it work for you, were there any surprises and were you satisfied that justice was served? And did the epilogue add anything overall to bringing the story to a close.
Except for Joseph, it ended the way I thought it would. I loved how the author used the weather to enhace the final showdown. So yes, the ending worked for me. The way Cassie went fits because even if Cassie made it out alive from the sea wall, she still would have been hanged for her crimes. That is if they associated the mutilated corpses with her. Which was pretty convient in a way but kind of works. The only question I have is how long it will take for the police to connect the missing men to the corpses. Seems to me it's pretty obvious if they could just put two and two together.

Regarding the epilogue, not fond of them as well but I'm very happy for Gifford :) After all the years of guilt and regret he deserved a happy ending.

15. Final thoughts and anything else you wish to discuss? Overall Goodreads rating for The Taxidermist's Daughter.

Same as Eldarwen, I gave it a 4 stars. I read a lot of mysteries lately and this is one of the good ones. I also really enjoyed our discussion around it. It seems we could have promising careers as detectives ;)

DQ Day 2 - Part II

6. The plot thickens! Would you care to venture a guess a to what on earth is going on? Who is our mysterious narrator in between the chapters?
I agree with Lisa as well!
I'm more and more convinced it's Cassie, the "mysterious sister" figure that Connie remembers in her flashbacks when she was young. She is likely the victim of what happened 10 years ago and I think she didn't die. I think she was raped and/or mutilated and that you are right with them trying taxidermy on a woman in Tranvaal. And Connie is the only eyewitness.

I'm wondering if Vera Barker was sort of "collateral damage" in order to sent a message to the men ?

7. At the description of Mr White's happenings, I had a brief moment of "woah!" and a bit of a shudder going down my back. Considering there are a few messages being sent around Fishbourne and Chichester, do you also think that Brook is going to be next on the list? And if Audrey Jane's impression of the birds representing the men is correct (which personally I think it is) then who is going to be the fourth one?? Gifford?
Indeed, our perpetrator knows something about taxidermy too.
As soon as White was introduced at Brooks' place I was desperately trying to see how he would fit as one of the guilty members (the magpie). I was stuck in a loop on that one. I love your comment in message 62, Eldarwen, and completely agree. I think we're getting there haha. I imagine reading this alone and not paying attention to all the symbolism. I'm glad it's a BOM.

I think the author is misleading us with the crows. At some point I assumed she might be referring to two crows but I think it's a red herring and Gifford might not be our guy. He was there 10 years ago but might not be involved as much as we intitially thought. I will say it's Crowther and give Gifford the benefit of the doubt. Like Karen, I'm hoping it's not Gifford.

My gut feeling says Mr Crowther is the fourth (instead of Gifford). But that's because I don't like his snooping around and meddling into people's affairs as well as his exchange with Jennie. So I'm saying this with reservation.

8. How does Charles Crowther fit into it all? The man seems to know far more than he is letting on and he is definitely fishing for information any chance he can get. Who is this man really?
I thought at the beginning that he was one of the guilty men but I might be proven wrong. I just don't like his character, he seems greasy in a way, I have no idea if he has Connie's best interest at heart. I think that he might be the man Connie's father is referring to when he said that she should be warned and "not to trust him" since "he's the worst". Agree with Lisa.

9. Gifford seems adamant that "she" needs protecting and saving. Is he talking about Connie? About Cassie? About someone else? Do you think he is finally going to be sober and willing enough to tell Connie what he knows or will he take the secret to his (potentially imminent) grave?
I think Gifford has some good in him and that drinking was his way of coping with his guilt. I was wondering if maybe in the mean time he saw Cassie again. He might tell Connie since the cat is almost out of the bag, as soon as all the others or missing or found dead. I thought he meant Connie but in his drunken stupor he might have made allusions to Cassie instead.

10. Methinks that Jennie Christie is lying about her origins. She knows what happened 10 years ago but she doesn't seem to be having lived in any of the places that have been previously mentioned. It is a man she is protecting with her silence and she is concerned for Connie as well. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Do you think she knows everything? How come she does?
After her conversation with Mr Crowther it makes me wonder on which side she is. Reading Connie's note and passing this information on to Crowther... Or maybe in the end I might be wrong and Crowther is a good guy. Mmm, I'm betting my money that he's not.

Indeed, so many questions, Eldarwen ! We're in for some revelations in Part III.

Eldarwen wrote: "This is a very eerie, intriguing read. It flows quite nicely and the pages just fly!"

It is, isn't it :) I'm quite surprised I need to pace myself, I'm cruising through the chapters.
I've enjoyed reading everyone's answers & musings so far.

Eldarwen wrote: "Before I answered your questions, Audrey Jane, I omitted to read that last journal entry. I hadn't noticed there was another one before Part II starts.

And it gave me a chilling thought, another ..."

I think you're completely on the right track with your creepy musing, Eldarwen ! Thanks to this a lot makes more sense now (especially in Part II). (view spoiler)[ The journal entries aka the victim mentions several times that "the punishment must fit the crime". It might be that the narrator means this literally and that this determines (view spoiler)[the way she kills the men from 10 years ago (hide spoiler)].
You're right, it was mentioned once I think that they were British soldiers fighting in the Boer war in Transvaal which actually renforces Karen's hypothesis that Gifford might not be Connie's father. Who in his right mind takes his family (little daughter and this mysterious sister figure (Cassie?)) into a war zone ? Or maybe that's just me. I'm thinking that Connie might be taken in by Gifford because she might be the only eye witness. That way they keep control over her just in case she eventually remembers. (hide spoiler)]

Hopefully I'm not overthinking or else a lot of what I said would look really silly afterwards haha

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Yes, I'm thinking the sister person is the mysterious narrator probably aka the victim as well. Glad I'm not the only person getting a bit lost in the detail."

Same here. I couldn't make sense of Connie's "flashbacks" at the beginning. I also think Karen might be on to something with the relationship between Connie and her father.

Regarding the quilty parties,(view spoiler)[it has been alluded there were 4 men in Part I and in Part II Connie remembers 4 birds: Jackdaw, Magpie, Rook, and Crow. So basically the men who have bird names in their name (Jack Woolstone, Mr. Brook, Mr Crowther, and ?). I'm unsure about magpie but it might be Gifford ? (forgot his first name) I thought this was interesting and will have to pay more attention when Connie is having those flashbacks because it can be cryptic. (hide spoiler)] (don't read if you haven't read up till p. 149)

Alyssa wrote: " 1. How do you like having a taxidermist as MC ? (It's only the 2nd book I've read with a taxidermist as a protagonist.) Connie mentions that it was difficult finding a maid that would stay. Would ..."

That's such an interesting field of study, Alyssa. Medical examiners are my favourite protagonists in books. Wishing you all the best with your studies !

@Lisa: Haha, my apologies for the confusion, Lisa ! I probably should have formulated my question better and us "mysterious narrator" instead ;) I completely agree that not all is clear at this point. And indeed maybe we need to watch out for red herrings. I thought that our mysterious narrator would either be the victim or someone who knows what happened 10 years ago (maybe someone related to the victim?). I'm still figuring things out and I'm puzzled by those passages.
I'm enjoying it so far. Looking forward to read more this evening.

DQs Day 1 - Prologue & Part I (p. 1-128)

1. How do you like having a taxidermist as MC ? (It's only the 2nd book I've read with a taxidermist as a protagonist.) Connie mentions that it was difficult finding a maid that would stay. Would you be able to work around a taxidermist's workshop ?

2. What was your reaction regarding the way Harry meets Connie and Connie's subsequent attempt to conceal the cause of death of the woman ?

3. What do you make of Mary's mother's (Jennie Christie) reaction upon hearing the news of the drowning and Mr Woolston's name?

4. Between the chapters we receive some insight from, I assume, the "victim". "He was a coward and a hypocrite, but he was less guilty than the others. But he did not stop them and he held his tongue."
What do you think happened 10 years ago in Transvaal ? And who was involved ?

5. Do you think Graylingwell asylum is in any way connected with what happened 10 years ago ?