Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

DQs Day 3
Chapters 26 to 43

9.) Did Ella coming from that level of money surprise you? Does it change your opinion of her so far? I did like that she corrected Jesse about the fact that her mother is rich, not her.

It was out of a left field and did add another layer of complexity to Ella's character. There is more to her than it seems.

10.) Some more 1999 flashbacks and Vince has popped into the story again. Anyone else remember Zima? Tried to make it seem classy to drink but some things are okay never coming back. Was Zima something y'all remember? Was there a drink you remember from your younger days that you thought was super klassy at the time but now makes you cringe?

Oh my.. don't remember Zima.. but I think Blackberry Nip was all the rage back in the 80's and its totally cringe worthy now!

11.) And the plot thickens with the reveals about Jesse both her arrest and the situation with Chad from her previous school. Thoughts on where that plot thread may lead?

Again, a lot more going on with the character once you scratch the surface. But whether her behaviour is a red herring or something involved with the case, I'm reserving judgement for now. Certainly adds another layer.

12.) Well, we've reached the middle of the book. Liking it so far? Predictions on the killer? If Vince will pop back up and give Chris a hug? Will Ella reconnect with her first love that was in the pictures being used as a bookmark?

Awww, I certainly hope Vince reappears for that hug but far more likely will reappear to save Chris from a horrible death. And yes, Vince is probably Ella's lost love. Enjoying the book a lot.

Yes... Mr Steadman!!! But is that too obvious.. But I like the theory about him being Jesse's Dad!

Emma wrote: "Hi all, I will be adding my books and meals either today or tomorrow. I have 11 books finished and possibly more by tomorrow."

Great Emma. That will help the tally a lot.

Day 2 Chapters 13-25

5. Ella runs into a house under siege to protect the son of a person of interest. What do you think of her rise to badass agent? Will this interfere with her ability to do her job?

I really like Keller and this action just cemented it! As the mother of a young man with Autism I just hope if my son was ever in a similar situation, the police Officer would show as much empathy as Keller. But, in a practical sense being labelled Officer Badass would not help her being a stealthy FBI officer.

6. I am really enjoying the Nirvana Travel Vlog. I think the author does a pretty good job of using script formation to explain the action in these scenes. What do you think? Is the mysterious vlogger Vince? Do you have a favorite vlog you follow?

Pretty sure it's the elusive Vince. Yes, enjoying this part of the book. I quite like checking out Nate and Kara's travel blog on Facebook being a travel nerd.

7. The Secret Service having knowledge of Chris and Vince's father because of cigarette smuggling was unexpected. While I am familiar with some of the history of the Secret Service and their anti-counterfeit start, I did not think they would be involved in such matters. Do you like it when authors introduce these tidbits into their narratives?

It adds another angle to the case.

8. The author has used the phrase "tap eyes" a couple of times so far. I think it means a quick glimpse at the other person, not that they are high fiving with their eyeballs or tapping their own eyeballs with their fingers in unison. I find this term odd. Have you seen it in other books or heard it somewhere else? Is this a new phrase for you as well?

I haven't even noticed so I'll have to look out for it now. I usually hate it when author's have their go to word or phrase though. Now its been flagged I'll probably see it everywhere.

DQs Day 1 - Prologue - chapter 12:

1. How are you liking it so far ? The chapters are quite short and written from multiple pov's. Is that something you usually enjoy ?

I am enjoying it.. and the short chapters. I like these stories where you get all the different POV's and have to sort through the information to try and guess whodunnit!

2. The prologue was full of nostalgia. Unfortunately we don't get to revist the 90s since that first chapter. Was New Year's Eve 1999 something special for you ? Did you celebrate the new millennium in a more 'significant' way ?

We actually did.. we went out to a BBQ and had fireworks! Seems so long ago now, LOL.

3. What do you make of Jesse and her online background research on Ella ?
Jesse seems whip smart and a girl whose background as made her streetsmart. So it is totally in character that she would check out Ella.

4. 'Goodnight pretty girl'. Do you think that the Blockbuster case and the Ice cream shop incident are related ? Do you think Chris' brother, Vince, might be involved somehow ?

Definitely related.. but no way did Vince do it. Maybe he knows something and has hidden away for protection for himself and his brother Chris.. we will see reading on..

We have completed the Kid bonus with 20 items. Yay. 😊

Kate S wrote: "Thank you! I can do the 19th but would really love if I could have an earlier date. Anyone willing to switch?"

I can switch with you Kate. I'm on Day 2. But I can do Day 4.

All good for me. I can trade if anyone needs too, as well.

Tracking pretty well team.

Only one more kid bonus to get our 20 items and 80 bonus points.

32 books on the spreadsheet, read or reading... we need 90 books this month so just slightly under target.. but still 19 days to go!

Happy reading.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Yes that is fine, Lisa"

😊

Update on the entertaining kids bonuses - we have 18 - just two more to go!

Welcome back, Ariel. So glad you're safe.

Mods, are plurals allowed for the special words? eg Anchovies for anchovy?

Ariel wrote: "Just to keep you guys updated: I should have electricity by Saturday at the latest but I am still without power. Thankfully, food and water has been plentiful. I will keep you guys updated in case ..."

Oh my goodness, Ariel. That must be incredibly difficult, hope you're back up and running by the weekend. Thanks so much for checking in and stay safe!

LISA'S POST FOR BOM CREDIT

DAY 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 - Write DQ's - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 5 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 5
(Ted - end, p261 - end)

18. When I read what Ted's mother did to him as a child I instantly thought of his mother being let go from the hospital. Did you ever suspect her of being the kidnapper and murderer? Dee had the idea that it had to be a male who took her sister, what do you think about this assumption?

I think there were some reveals half way through the book that Ted's mother was a psychopath, that section where she talks about her father it was obvious she suffered from the same disorder. But I hadn't pegged her for the perpetrator of the Lulu crime. It was very skillful how the author brought those two plot lines to fruition. And why did she think it was a man... because history tells us that 99% of the time.. it is..

19. Mental health is a key theme of this book. There is a lot happening within Ted. He tried to get help for himself but unfortunately for him his psychiatrist seemed more interested in writing a book and turning a profit than helping him. What do you think the book tells us about coping with traumas that are secret?

Never turns out well. Keeping stuff inside is a one way ticket to even more pain.

20. I thought that the afterword was helpful in helping me understand a bit more about DID, and I am planning to read more about it. Had you heard of the condition before and are you planning to read a bit more about it?

I've only heard about it through media I guess. Fortunately no personal experience. I'll probably leave that here with finishing this very disturbing book.

21. I liked the book and have a few friends I would recommend it to, but I have mixed feelings about how I would describe it to them. Did you like it? If so how would you explain this book without giving any spoilers? If you didn’t like the book why not?

This is one of those books where I respected the writing a lot and it made me feel very uneasy whilst reading. It was interesting how most of us jumped to the conclusion that Ted was the serial killer not one of the victims. That was very well done. Can't say I "liked" it because the themes were so disturbing but it is a book that will stay with me for a long time. 4 stars.

22. After reading this, I am thinking about picking up another of her books. Have you read any of Catriona Ward’s other books before?

This was the first time I've read this author. Yes, I enjoyed her writing even if the theme left me cold so I'd definitely read her again.

Thanks Vicky! Loving the purple bonus alert.. 😊

I'm trying to read above my quota this month to make up for when I go on holidays next month.

Day 4 p193 - 260
- starts "I keep trying to record my thoughts,..."
- ends "I know that, today, it will be my own."

13. Lauren tells Olivia her story, which is horrifying. Did you think she was telling the truth? We later find out she was lying (or distorting the facts) to get Olivia to stab Ted, which hurts them as well. Why do you think she does this? Are Lauren and Olivia and Ted (and Night-time!) actually separate entities paranormally stuck together or is it dissociative identity disorder?

Wow, at this stage I though Lauren/Olivia/Night time Olivia were all Lulu who because of the enormous trauma had split into these personalities. Clever writing, the author was leading the reader that way. But more was to be revealed...

14. Olivia sees the rug change color from orange to blue. I had noticed these two colors of rugs mentioned before but I just assumed they were rugs in different places. What do you think this color change means? Could it actually be a physical transformation? Or does it signify something about the narrator’s state of mind?
I noticed the mention of the colour change of the rug as well and thought it was the perception of different personas.

15. Olivia and Lauren badly hurt each other. Lauren initiates this. Do you think it indicates something else about her character and intentions or is she just desperate and lashing out?
It is revealed that Lauren is the persona who takes on the pain of unimaginable situations.

16. The psychiatrist claims that he knows Ted is evil but just wants to use him to profit by using his case as a subject for his book. How do you feel about this? Do you think he is being honest here or could he have ulterior motives? What do you think the consequences of Ted’s altercation with him will be?
Does the Bug Man/Psychiatrist think Ted is a killer or has he realised that all the personas are Ted? Either way he is horrible man and it is unfortunate that Ted doesn't have a competent therapist who can actually help him.

17. Lauren talks to Dee, who ignores her and proceeds to try to kill Ted. Do you think Lauren has anything to do with LuLu? And what does it say about Dee that she doesn’t stop to consider it?

I had to read on to find out what happens.. but Dee is so far into her own pain and reasons that there is no logic to what she is doing. Her own reasons are soon revealed.

Day 3 p129-192
Day 3 starts "I was at the window,..."
Day 3 ends "Oh God, he's coming n-"


9. The bulldozers come to put in new rest areas to attract tourists. Ted freaks out and goes to unbury the gods. There are several of them, but they all fit into a single bag. What is your theory? Are these trophies from his kills? Personal artifacts from his own history? Something else?

I'm thinking trophies from his kills. It does seem to point to the fact that Ted is a kidnapper and murderer.

10. Lauren is a piece of work. 13-year-old girls can be a handful, I understand, but she seems so much younger than that. I don't understand where she is when she is not with Ted. I am starting to have an idea, but I'm not sure yet. What are your theories about where Lauren goes when she is not allowed to come back for six months?

After reading this section I think Tammie is right. Lauren, Lulu and the Cat are all the same person. Either the trauma has made Lulu split into multiple personalities or it is how Ted sees them, not sure which yet.

11. Dee seems even more unsettled in this section. She is so dedicated to finding her sister but can't follow Ted because of a fear of possible snakes. Then she lies to the investigator (Karen) about where she is and what she is doing. Could there be more motivating Dee's activities than just missing her sister?

Maybe a hidden twist which is going to be revealed about Dee by the end. What is this fear of snakes, is that supposed to be symbolic of something?

12. There was a bit of repetitive actions in this section. The music box and the nesting dolls were broken by Olivia and years earlier by Ted. A lot of talk about the color blue: dresses, clothing, rugs, etc. Is this just to keep the reader as confused as Ted or is there a deeper meaning to all of these duplications?

Mmmm, maybe it is trying to re-enforce something. The mental illness that runs in Ted's family and the enabling influence of his mother. Definitely the author is employing a lot of smoke and mirrors and subterfuge while telling this story to keep the reader guessing.

Tammie wrote: "DAY 2 - PAGES 63-128

5. So Dee is on the case but like all the characters and situations in this story I'm feeling there is more to her than meets the eye. Emotionally damaged by the loss of her s..."

Sometimes I wonder if the cat, Lauren and Lulu aren't the same 'person'.

I think you're onto something there Tammie!