Jackie’s Comments (group member since Jul 10, 2011)

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

Princess wrote: "i'm already at chapter 9 and I have a question to ask you all
[spoilers removed]

I understand that it's a tactic but If ever I'd like to be known for what I really do."

(view spoiler)[I thought it was odd because my understanding was that this was a competition for assassins so why would a jewel thief even be in the competition? I'm assuming that's it's supposed to give her an advantage by making the other competitors underestimate her. (hide spoiler)]

I'm through chapter 10. (view spoiler)[Interesting how the prince treated her in front of Lady Kaltain. Looks like he definitely wants to discourage Kaltain's interest but how much of his interest in Celaena is feigned? (hide spoiler)]

Looks good to me, Juliana. Thanks!

Book Read: Murder Is Easy by Agatha Christie
Date Read: 11/21/14
Pages: 288

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 0
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 20

Thanks!

I read the first seven chapters last night. I too like the short chapters and the author's writing style. (view spoiler)[I'm really curious to know more about Celaena's past and how she came to be captured. Also, found the animosity between the king and the prince very interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Since the book is so big, I'd prefer a chapter breakdown too.

Kelly, I didn't see my 30 BOM points for The Crossing Places.

So, is December 2 okay for everyone?

Book Read: The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Date Read: 11/19/14
Pages: 342

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 0
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 20

I've had this on my TBR forever. I'd like to join.

I'm in too.

I'd like to join in too.

Have fun, Kelly!

Book Read: McNally's Secret by Lawrence Sanders
Date Read: 11/19/14
Pages: 317

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 0
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 20

November 18
Chapters 23-31
pages 243-303

33.Chapter 23 focuses primarily on Nelson. Its a bit of ugly and a bit of good that we learn about him. Has your opinion of Nelson changed? Do you like his character?
I grew to like him better by the end of the book but still didn't really care for him. The fact that he says he loves his wife but doesn't regret being unfaithful to her three times just doesn't say much for his character.

34.Were you surprised to learn that David, not Eric, was the killer and kidnapper?
No, I really suspected David the whole time.

35.David disappears into the water and Ruth is "surprised at the strenght of her impulse to save him. It seems that even the death of a murderer can provoke pity" (p.295) What were your thoughts reading this? Do you feel the same as Ruth?
I'm honestly not sure how I would feel.

36. We learn Eric has drowned. Were you surprised? Eric did chase Ruth into the saltmarsh, what do you think would have happened if he had caught her?
It certainly seemed like he wanted to kill her. I think he had slipped over the edge into madness.

37. I did not like Cathbad's character. I think that Griffith intentionally set it up this way. Does your opinion of Cathbad change because he helps Nelson find Ruth.
It made him slightly more likeable. But then he almost drowns and yet Nelson manages to stay safe. Just weird.

38. We learn Ruth is pregnant. How do you feel about this?
Not sure. She seems happy about it and it might actually be a good thing for her character.

39. Did you enjoy the "Crossing Places"? Why or why not?
It was okay but felt much too contrived. I couldn't find one character in the entire story that I liked. I might read the next one just to see if the series gets better.

Book Read: The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
Date Read: 11/18/14
Pages: 320

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 30 link
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 50

Book Read: Dove in the Window by Earlene Fowler
Date Read: 11/17/14
Pages: 290

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 0
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 20

November 17
Comments and Questions
Chapters 18-22
Pages 200-242

26. Would you have called Nelson right away if you received a text message from a murderer or would you have tried to ignore it?
Oh yes, right away.

27. What do you think of the discussion with Peter? He seemed very focused on what she knew about police business. Idle curiosity or something more sinister?
I really think it's idle curiosity from Peter.

28. Do you believe that Cathbad is innocent of both the murders and the letter writing?
Yes, I believe he is innocent.

29. I couldn't find any references to wiggle watching (except for children's shows and other things best left not said) but I did find a match for Wiggle-match used in dating of peat deposits which sounds similar but uses layers of peat instead of tree growth patterns. http://www2.glos.ac.uk/accrotelm/wigp...

30. Ruth has so many men in her life that she's possessive of but doesn't seem to actually want. Erik, David, Peter and Nelson. Do you think she'll end up with any of them? Do you think she should?
I actually don't think any of them are right for her at this point.

31. Do you think Nelson really framed James Agar or was it all in Erik's mind?
I think it was all in Erik's mind.

32. We know who wrote the letters now, who do you think killed the girls? Who do you think is the person in the in between sections?
I still think Lucy is the person in the in between sections. It looks like it could have been Erik but I somehow don't think so. Maybe David.

I have the book and can start it around early December.

November 16
Chapters 14-17
Comments and Questions

16. What are your feelings when an author, for whatever the reason, feels that it is a detrimental part of the storyline to cause harm & even death to a beloved pet?
I am always saddened when a pet is hurt or killed in a story. I suppose here the author wants to make the connection with ritual sacrifice and to make Ruth a more emphatic character.

17. Any thoughts on why the ex-boyfriend shows up?
I guess he wants to reconnect with Ruth and a happier time.

18. What is the significance with the meeting between David & Peter? What did you make of the non-mention of who Peter is to Ruth when she introduces them?
It's not surprising that Ruth wouldn't introduce Peter as her ex-lover. She did after all end the relationship several years earlier and Peter is married. I still don't have a good feel for who and what David actually is.

19. Do you think Malone/Cathbad is guilty of murder? Or is there more to the story than he has let on knowing
I don't think he's the murderer. But I wouldn't be surprised if he knows something about it.

20. What did you think of the connection between the Henderson's & Malone/Cathbad?
Certainly puts Malone in the position of being able to steal Scarlet away without her putting up a fuss.

21. Why is Eric so distrustful of the police, especially Det. Nelson? He sure does a convincing job of trying to sway Ruth to his way of thinking in regards to the police. Any thoughts?
I think Eric has a lot to hide. I don't like him at all.

22. What are your thoughts of Ruth's discovery. Did you think to draw the lines between the points like she did & did they lead you to the original dig site?
This to me seemed very weak. I would have thought the police would have tried digging in those circles before.

23. What are your thoughts on the events between Ruth & Nelson? Did you see things progressing between them like they did?
I'm not surprised but disappointed in both characters.

24. What do you make of all the questions from Shona? Do you feel she is asking just to be nosy or is she sincere in regards to the events of the past day?
Well, again, I don't trust her either. I definitely think she's nosy and not overly concerned with Ruth's feelings.

25. Do you feel that the two missing children & the death of one to be connected? or could it be that there are 2 different people involved?
At first I thought they were connected but I'm not so sure anymore. Since Lucy seems to still be alive after ten years, if the kidnapper and murderer is the same person, why is she still alive?