Rebecca ’s Comments (group member since Sep 03, 2016)

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

Day 3 DQ's– Chapters 39-62

11. Steen finds out from Kristine's friend Mathilde that they didn't make Chestnut Men last year like Rosa said. Do you think Rosa was just mistaken when she told the police Kristine made and sold them or that she purposely lied? What were her intentions if you think she lied - did she just want the cops to get out and leave her grieving family in peace, or do you think she knows something about the chestnut men and/or the killer?
I think she was just confused since it was something that the girls used to do and she was probably just thinking everything was like other years. I think she might have information that she doesn't even realize she has. I have an idea of who might be the kidnapper/killer but it's a longshot.

12. Both victims families were reported to Social Services through an anonymous tip and evidence of sexual/child abuse are later discovered. Do you think the anonymous tipper is the killer?
Yes, that's the connection between the two murders.

13. When Hess calls social services he speaks with social worker Henning Loeb who gives him information on Magnus, but lies about finding information about the two girls, Lina and Sofia Sejer-Lassen, after he "sees something he doesn't fully grasp, and that makes him wary." What do you think he saw and why did he lie? Do you think there is a connection here with Rosa who is the Minister for Social Affairs?
I think he saw something that could get him in trouble. I definitely think there is a connection to Rosa.

14. A few people have speculated that the basement Officer Marius enters in ch. 1 could have been used for some sort of abuse, possibly child abuse. Given what we now know do you agree and do you think the killer was possibly a victim?
Yes, I agree it was used for child abuse and it's a huge possibility that the killer was a victim. It would make sense as to why they reported these two families for abuse. The killer probably feels abandoned by his/her mother and now wants to take this out on other mothers he/she sees that are abusing or not rescuing their children from abuse.

15. While it's clear Hauge was the one abusing Magnus we don't know for sure if Lassen was the one abusing the girls. Do you think the abuser was Lassen or his wife? (He seemed ready to offer up info on his eldest's broken nose which is the only thing giving me pause.) If the killer is reacting to the abuse, why target the mothers and not the abusers (assuming Lassen is the abuser)? Is Thulin right in speculating that in the killers eyes the mother "ought to have know... didn't react to the report."?
I don't think Lassen is the abuser he too readily offered information on his son that was not already known about. I feel that the killer is probably a victim. He/she feels abandoned by their mother for letting abuse go on by someone else. He/she feels that the mother should have stopped the abuse. She should have known what was going on.

Yes, I’ll have The Chestnut Man as well.

I will have crown AND tuxedo finished this week 😃😂

I have another book that I’m almost done with that has oyster and crown in it. Let me know what I need to read. I’m at work so I can’t really look at anything right now

I found tuxedo and I’ll have it done by the deadline on Sunday

Day 2 DQ's– Chapters 20 – 38

6 We have got a fair way into the book now and my first question is to ask how you feel about it? What do you like / dislike about it?
I like it so far although I am for some reason having a hard time keeping track of some of the characters. Maybe it's the different type of names but I'm not really sure. It's a quick well translated book.

7. What are your impressions about the time line from Marius to Kristine to Laura?
I don't really understand the gaps between everything so far. I'm hoping they all tie in together eventually.

8. Hess and Thulin are not necessarily bosom buddies How do you see their differing working methods and relationship developing?
They are so different that I see them having a love/hate relationship. I think they play off one another and this could help enhance their working methods.


9. Hess insists on visiting Magnus Kjaer and showing him some photographs. What do you think is the significance of "The chestnut man" being something new?
It's not random. It's connected to another event or something.

10. Erik Sejer Lassen is arrested - there is a lot going on during the chase - How do you read the events leading up to the arrest and during the questioning?
It seems like a set up. I don't think that he is the killer, that would be too easy and it's too early in the book.

message 56: by Jessi
Nov 02, 2019 11:17AM

Jessi (jazzykitty) | 832 comments
Day 1 DQs

1. At the very beginning we are hit with a chilling image and as Officer Marius is descending into the basement looking for one of the little girls he "...becomes aware of the room. Glancing around, he realizes what it's been used for. He's disgusted." What do you think this room was used for?
I'm guessing sex abuse/slavery, pornography, and torture.

2. We get a brief look at what happens to Laura before Thulin and Hess get called out to the scene. While looking over the body and the garden Thulin notices a chestnut doll and has an odd reaction to it. "It's a simple doll consisting of two spheres and four sticks, but briefly, for some reason she can't explain, it makes Thulin's heart stop." Why do you think she had a strong reaction? Could it be a repressed memory?
Maybe it relates to something in her childhood or maybe she saw one somewhere and can't remember where.

3. Speaking of Thulin and Hess. I'm a bit put off by the both of them. Thulin seems to think homicide is boring and Hess just seems to not give a flying rat's behind about anything. What do you think of our MCs so far?
I like them but I don't love them. I think they're both bored (which how could you bored with homicide) with their jobs. Thulin is not interested in her department and probably feels under utilized wants to move on and Hess is just bored but I think there's something else going on with him.

4. Then we have Rosa and Steen, the parents of Kristine who is missing and presumed dead. They each have a different way of handling their grief. Rosa has thrown herself into her work as a politician and Steen is drowning his sorrows in alcohol. As a parent it's really hard to imagine losing a child. How do you think you would handle losing your child? Do you think their reactions are typical for parents who have lost a child?
I'd probably lose my mind. I don't know if I could go on because I would always be wondering why I wasn't able to protect my child. I can't begin to understand what anyone experiencing this must go through-unimaginably horrible. People react differently to situations so I don't think how they are coping is unreasonable. I think they need help though.

5. Do you think Kristine Hartung is still alive? Or is it a cruel joke being played on her parents? Why or why not?
I can't imagine that she is after being gone for a year but anything is possible at this point in the book.

I’m so jealous! I have two days off this week finally and I want more lol Enjoy your time off Jessi you deserve it! What a great boss!

GR must of been having issues or something last night because it didn’t take my dates nor it shelve Capital Gaines on my TT shelf. I just fixed all of. Thanks for changing the pg number on Two Can Keep a Secret. I had to read it yesterday because it’s due today. I’ll answer the questions later this week when they start. Hoping to get a book and a half in today. I FINALLY have had some time off when I can read 😃

Alysa wrote: "@Allison: Thanks!
@Rebecca: yes, we can use word in text!

I would just add, the word in context should keep to the spirit of the Avarice theme. I can't imagine many cases where it wouldn't (and ru..."

Fantastic! I’m so paranoid of everything this year I just wanted to make 100% certain. Thanks!

Dumb question so any word on the bingo card can be used for in text? If so, that just made it a whole lot easier. I assumed we couldn’t do that because it wasn’t listed in the rules for the challenge and everything has been so specific this TT

I think I have everything posted (hopefully correctly) for this week. I kept getting interrupted-phone calls, texts, cat, mother...

BTW I highly recommend listening to Eat, Pray, Love instead of reading it. I read 3/4 of it before I realised that listening would of been MUCH better.

Alysa wrote: "@Rebecca -- any books this week?
*bats eyelashes*"

Yes, just finished right this moment at 1158 pgs and . I’ll get them both updated in the morning. I should have at least one more hopefully in the morning.

Happy Birthday 🥳 Alysa! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with fantastic books and plentiful reading time! Enjoy your special day!

I was planning on trying to tackle it at some point. I think it’ll be a fast read for me. I love historical romance!

Alysa wrote: "@Allison — at least it’s 2pm for you. For me it’s 3pm. And now I have started so many other things that it doesn’t make sense to start any Bad Books until I have finished something else, d’oh!

@Re..."

I took that off there because I don't have time to go into explicit detail as to the description for action/adventure because I forgot I have to be somewhere in a few minutes. I think you and I were looking at/changing things at the same time. LOL I have 3 or 4 alternates for it if you need to change it again.

Finished 2 books, updated on GR and ss with hopefully all needed info. I probably won’t get another one in before the cut-off but I will start planning for next week. I hope everyone has a great day and enjoyed that extra hour of sleep or reading or both 😃 I know I sure did!

I should have two more before the deadline. I have 75 pgs on one and I’ll squeeze another in while I’m off tomorrow

Kerri wrote: "Alysa wrote: "Kerri wrote: "I voted for that book, too! Mostly because it was the only one I actually own, but also because I reeeeeally want to read it."

Me too! The Library one looks good but I'..."

Oh no Kerri that's not good! I hope you feel better! Get loads of R, R & R (rest, relax, read) this weekend.

[[ Frankie ]] - Turkeys & Tomes! wrote: "Sorry for being MIA for the last almost week. I have been very, very sick lately, but I’m starting to feel better now.

I have finally finished Save the Date last night. I answered DQ’s for I too. :]"

I'm sorry you've been so sick Frankie. It seems to be going around and it's a really knock you down for the count type of illness. Hope you feel better real quick! Get some rest!