Audra’s Comments (group member since Dec 28, 2013)

Audra’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

I'm assuming that the Easter Hat Parade is an Aussie thing? I also had to look up Boxing Day. Very interesting to read in the setting of another country. I'm curious if more of the language has been changed in the American version.

37. Cecilia decides she would never ask JP to confess. What are your thoughts?
I don't think this decision will last long. It's going to take a lot of chill pills to keep that lady calm with such a secret. But it doesn't seem as though she will have to keep the secret much longer.

38. The compass gift from Tess' father was very nice. Will we see more of him in the book?
I loved the gift! What a perfect symbol. It was good to see him reach out. I hope things get better with him as well.

39. Rachel tells Cecilia about having new evidence. Oh, this is all coming to a head soon!!
It never came out in their conversation who Rachel thinks the murderer is... what a great cliffhanger there. I still wonder if Rachel would have told Cecilia she thinks it was Connor, if Cecilia would have spoke the truth.

Can't wait to see what happens in the next two days!!

All of this talk of What Alice Forgot has me wanting a copy NOW! :)

Allison wrote: "22. Omg I laughed out loud at the beginning of this section! And then it turned pretty ugly. I can't believe John-Paul went looking for the letter like that - he made it kind of obvious he was lyin..."

Haha, totally agree with your frustration about the penance. How does with holding sex from your wife MANY years later make you feel better about killing someone?!

Jessica wrote: "Also, one more thought on Rob. I have never had the best family. But I have found a best friend that I have made family. I know that sometimes in life some people who you expect to be there for you..."

Very true. Sometimes it is actually easier to talk to someone who isn't family. When I want to talk about my feelings about my brother's death I usually talk to my best friend because I know my parents are struggling just as much, or even more, than I am. Maybe this is an issue for Rob as well.

Jessica wrote: "27. I don't know if I'd say that she dismissed him, rather I see her as having been distracted. Dismissal, I feel, denotes a loss of love where I think she just didn't know how to handle her daught..."

I love your thoughts about all of this not fitting nice and neat into her tidy containers! So true.
I would also like to see maybe what was going through her head during the attack, but it also makes me a little nervous. Those moments would definitely be sensitive ones.

@Linda, I think that one was geared towards my comment that was after yours. Was just trying to give another book that told both sides of the story like this one and The Silent Wife.

27. I feel for Rob. Rachel has basically dismissed him over the last 28 years - most of his adolescent and adult life - because of her grief for Janie. Thoughts?

Hmmmm, I don't know that I would say dismissed. Grief is different for anyone involved in a death, even if it is this same person you are grieving over. And I don't know that we are seeing the whole part of that story either. At this point Rob has a smothering wife and Rachel feels like she's been distanced from him. Being in the same boat as Rob, being the sibling left over after another dies, I don't think Rachel has done this on purpose. I just can't imagine that, as my parents have clung to me even tighter.

28. Will Rachel confront Connor?

I would think so! It might be a sudden jab when she's reached her breaking point. But I don't see her going much longer keeping it to herself.

29. Do you think Tess and Cecilia will become friends?

It sure seems like it. They both are going through a tough time that no one knows about. A fresh friendship can help them to have that outlet, whereas other friends may be able to tell that something is up.

30. So JP's mum knows what he did because of the rosary beads. I tried to put myself in that situation as it is true you would do ANYTHING for your kids. I'm still not sure I could turn a blind eye to that though.

I know that I couldn't ignore that. It would be too much of a weight on your shoulders, much like we see with Cecilia. But this hits really too close to home for me in relation to my brother's death. So knowing what it feels like to be on the other side, I could never turn my back on the situation just to cover for my own kid. Eventually it will come back to haunt you.

31. So Felicity had been an "integral" part of date night. That threesome was just not healthy was it

Not at all. I could see that they would need a baby-sitter, but come on. I'm starting to think it was a miracle that this didn't happen sooner!

32. Cecilia seems to be breaking apart. Can she continue to keep JPs lie?
Nope! It won't be long before she spills the beans. I don't see her leaving either.

33. I'm worried about how Connor told Tess his mother lied about his alibi the day Janie died. I hope he doesn't get arrested!
It seems like Tess believes his story so I don't see her turning him in or anything like that. I have to believe that JP will be held accountable and Connor will be left out of it all together.

34. Do you like these flashbacks to Janie's last day?
Yes, they seem to piece the story together a little bit more. However this last flashback was just heart wrenching. To know that she really loved JP and that if she would have just gone with her heart she could still be alive just seems completely unfair. If only JP could have known how Janie really felt!

Sarah wrote: "Audra wrote: "Linda wrote: "Sarah, you might like The Silent Wife. There's some psychological interplay with the characters there, but it doesn't slap you in the face. I caught on a few chapters ..."

I would rather have a fast moving plotline and room for imagination than character development. And yes GRR Martin would have plenty of time to develop characters with depth as his books are over 1000 pages... too long for me to feel like I'm getting anywhere.

Linda wrote: "Sarah, you might like The Silent Wife. There's some psychological interplay with the characters there, but it doesn't slap you in the face. I caught on a few chapters in after reading someone els..."

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn was similar to The Silent Wife, but better in my opinion. Flynn is a little bit more dark and twisted though. And Gone Girl will be a movie this year!

Good point Linda. We are only able to see Tess's side of the story. Will and Felicity had to have some behind the scene moments together to get to the point of throwing the balance of all their relationships off.

Haven't read that either! Waiting for the questions and what exactly the start and stopping points are for the American verision.

I'm hoping that all the pressure will be taken off Cecilia (obviously she isn't doing so hot with 2 different pairs of shoes and throwing up in public). JP said he would confess if someone else was being charged with the murder, which is what could happen with Connor. I think we might really get to see the true character of JP by the end.

Karen wrote: "Audra - the P&C stands for Parents & Citizens and it is an association that generally parents sign up for and they help run fundraising and such at the schools. It is seen as something the very soc..."

Thanks Karen! That sounds like our PTO, Parent/Teacher Organization.

Okay Aussie's, what is the P&F?

"How kind and civic of you! Felicity spoke up in her head. Next thing you'll be joining the P&F!"

So we have the definitive relationship between two of the three ladies, Cecilia (because of her husband) and Rachel (because of her daughter). Could Tess somehow fit into these relationships built around a murder? Did I miss something that has already been said to add her in the triangle or am I off here?

22. Omg I laughed out loud at the beginning of this section! And then it turned pretty ugly. I can't believe John-Paul went looking for the letter like that - he made it kind of obvious he was lying about it! Do you agree?

It was hilarious at first but I'm sure any couple with kids running around have experienced something similar. Definitely agree, it showed the secret he was hiding in the worst way. I honestly felt scared because the way he was stomping around and carrying on that he may have tried to hurt Cecilia too. This scene was well written for sure! It made me think that it could be a scene in a movie with that ominous music in the bathroom. Made my heart race!

23. The more we discover about Tess, Felicity, and Will's relationship the more it starts to make their offer of all living together seem *almost* understandable. In that, I can see why they would've thought that an acceptable arrangement. Your thoughts?

Obviously they have always been close. But I don't see them really think that would be the best idea for Liam. How confused would that kid be?! But he definitely has caught on when he talks about how they need to stop fighting and say sorry. It wouldn't be a good situation.

24. So looks like I may have been right about Connor being a love interest! Do you like him? Do you think Tess should start dating again so fast?

Oh man, I'm still really iffy about Connor still. And no, I don't think Tess is ready for dating. She still wants her husband back for goodness sake.

25. Rachel's reaction to the video of Janie and Connor was a little chilling. Oh my I think this may end up badly for him.

Very true. I think she just wants an answer and she's been given the fuel at this point. She's definitely going to take this and run with it as it is her first glimpse of hope in her daughter's murder in years.

26. JP tries to explain everything to Cecilia and describes his self-imposed "penance". It seems that her husband is a completely different person to whom she thought? Can you imagine being in Cecilia's position right now?

She has to be second guessing the last 20 years of her life and if that person who committed murder can still reside in her husband. I can not imagine how Cecilia is feeling at this point. If I were on my own I would get out, but with three children that seems impossible. So many thoughts have to be going through her head in whether to turn him in, run away, or act like it never happened and live in penance herself.

I'm going to try this out... kind of scary! Haha.

@Tasheana - I loved your Stepford Wives comment, I can completely see that!

@Jessica - Thank you for your kind words. I have to agree with the book that little memories are the best gift you can give someone in the constant state of grief. And yes! I've thought about that too... Probably more along the lines of what if I don't get the opportunity to do this again though.

Hang on. So the oldest daughter looks like Janie according to Rachel, but she can't be Janie's daughter obviously. So what about this... Janie's brother they keep referring to as a realtor... Maybe Cecilia cheated on JP with him?! And JP is distraught because he knows the truth? The letter really is full of his emotions that he doesn't want to lose them even though he is not the father. Maybe I'm reaching here. I really want to read on!

17. So John-Paul is looking as Isabel "funny" and was crying right before leaving for Chicago. I have the sinking feeling he killed Janie. (I know a few of you already think this, but I am a very bad sleuth!)The last person to see Janie alive was Connor so I am wondering if he will get charged and that will bring this all to a head. Your thoughts?

I think the men were involved in the murder but I'm not sure if it will play in the court case. I'm really wondering about the oldest daughter and how he looks at her... and then later on Rachel tells Cecilia she looks just like Janie, which we already know she looks different than the other two children. That night before Janie is killed it shows her taking birth control and deciding who she should lose her virginity to. I am stumped how it all fits together. The oldest daughter would have to be Cecilia's but if roles were reversed I would have think the child was from a different relationship. So confused!

18. With the visit of Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil, he told Tess he was ashamed of his daughter. Do you agree with him feeling this way?

TOTALLY! I think my own parents would disown me if I pulled that.

19. The phone conversation with Felicity and Tess shows how hard it is to break old habits of friendship. Do you think they will end up being friends again?

There's just no way. It is weird that she goes from happy and then almost seething about getting their affair over with because she will be getting her husband back. Something is going to go down between the two of these women before the end of the book.

20. Thoughts on the tupperware party? It was so Cecilia! Nice to see Rachel relaxing a bit too

I thought it was a good way to get our characters all in the same setting. The ride home was also a good place for Rachel and Cecilia to talk about Janie. You could tell Rachel shut off after the mention of Connor though. Wonder how Cecilia didn't notice herself?

21. I am really enjoying the character writing. Each voice is distinct, flawed, and relatable at the same time. Do you agree?

Agreed! I also like how they aren't flat either. We are constantly seeing the characters change and seeing them through each other's eyes.