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

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

Day 3: Chapters 12-19

11. So we've heard from Sadie again! (every time I hear her name she reminds me of Sadie by Courtney Summers and I have to keep reminding myself: wrong book sis)
I wonder if substance abuse is the only thing she struggles with, or if there's more to her. She feels a bit off to me... Is she hiding something, or is that just who she is? Do you think she knows or at least has an idea of what happened to her sister? Why does she not want to talk about Sarah at all, and why did she leave Echo Ridge? Would you have left?... Is she even still at the institute?
I think she's just a hot mess due to substance abuse but she's also fighting demons regarding her sister's disappearance. I definitely get the vibe that she is hiding something. She's too evasive when asked about Sarah. I'm not sure if she knows what happened. I think she has ideas. She's running from her past and the fact that everyone knows her as Sarah the missing girl's sister. I think most people would leave to start a new life for themselves. I think she's still at the institute. There hasn't been anything to lead me to not believe that.

12. Even though Sadie has hardly ever been back to Echo Ridge, I have a feeling Ellery and Ezra's dad might be from there. Do you think we have met the twins' father by now? Could it be Vance, or Peter, or somebody else completely? (I actually have a theory, and it's neither of the guys I just mentioned lol)
I definitely think she's lied to the twins and that it's someone from Echo Ridge. We probably have already met him.

13. Viv has been acting very strangely towards Ellery. What is her problem? Do you think she's jealous of Ellery for getting nominated for Prom Queen, or that she has kind of gotten into their friend group without even trying?
I think she feels like the third wheel most of the time. I think she's just flat out jealous.

14. I can't stop thinking about what happened in the past. First Sarah went missing, then years later Lacey vanished and had been found dead shortly after. Do you think Sarah shared the same fate, or is she still out there somewhere? Are their cases related? And then Mr. Bowman has been killed in a hit and run - what a nice introduction to town our twins had here. Do you think this is connected to everything else that's been going on in town, with Daisy and Declan being back, etc.?
I think Sarah probably shared the same fate and that the two cases are related. I don't think the incident with Mr Bowman is connected I think that's completely separate from the missing/murdered girls. I don't think Daisy & Declan are involved I think it's a coincidence that they happen to be in town when these incidents occurred and possibly that the person committing the crimes planned it so that the finger is pointed in their direction.

15. Just like Viv, Brooke has been acting weirdly as well, but I don't think it has anything to do with Ellery. She seemed worn down when El sat with the girls at lunch, and Mr. Bowman's death seemed to get to her way more than to her peers. Do you think she had anything to do with the hit and run, or maybe was involved with the late teacher? Is this why she was so agitated at the party? Where do you think she vanished to when she slept over at Katrin's the week before but was gone for at least 20 minutes?
I think she might know more than she's letting on about his death or maybe since he was a favorite teacher it's hitting her harder. I kind of doubt that she's involved with him although she might want to be. I have no idea where she went.

Done!

DQs Day 4: Chapters 63-78

16. I could not believe how much abuse Eric afflicted on his wife and children. It made me sick to my stomach reading about how he justified his actions and knew he would get away with it. Even when he found out about his wife’s death after learning that she was planning on running away, Eric thought it was justice being served. How was your experience reading this section?
It sickened me. These things happen though in the world. There are sick people out there who do things like this and think nothing about it. I can't believe she stayed with him as long as she did but then again when you are in a situation like that with children it's harder to leave. He probably felt good riddance when he learned of her death, less for him to deal with.

17. Hess is annoyed when he finds out that Nylander is in communication with his ex-boss from Interpol. There’s been hints so far as to what resulted in Hess’s dismissal from his previous job. Do you have any ideas what it might have been?
No clue-insubordination?


18. The killer keeps distracting the police officers with incorrect leads. Did you think the killer was going to come to Jessie’s apartment? Were you surprised that her lover came instead?
It felt ominous but I didn't think it would be the killer it was still too early in the book.

19. One of the things I really like about this book is how you get multiple viewpoints from the various characters (the women before they are killed, Nylander, the cop in charge of Kristine’s case etc.) It really helps to flesh out the plot and character development. What are your thoughts about this? Do you like this type of narrative or would you have wanted the focus to be on Thulin and Hess?
I like the different POV's it gives different sides to the story but I do wish we had a little more of Thulin and Hess and as being more connected working together. I felt like they were working against one another at some points.

Bonus question: The author of this book is a writer for the TV show – The Killing. Have you watched it or are you interested in watching it after reading this book?
I haven't watched it but I would be interested in watching it.

👍🏻will do them now

DQ Day 2: Chapters 6-11

6. It's taken me a bit to understand what's happening in town currently and in the past. Has anyone else struggled or have you caught on well? Do you think the author has set the scene well, or are there improvements/other ways you think would work better?
I can see where someone could be confused because you don't get a lot of the story of what has happened in the past. It's small town mentality trying to keep the rest of world from knowing the sordid past. I caught on pretty well for the most part. I think she could have set the scene better with a few more details.

7. We meet Declan Kelly in this chapter, Malcolm's brother. What are your impressions on him? Do you think he murdered Lacey? Or has anything to do with Sarah's (Sadie's twin) disappearance? The hit and run of Mr Bowman or the threats around town? If not, who do you think is responsible for all of them, or any of them? Do you have any theories so far on the connections of the occurrences? I feel like there's so many suspects and Sadie is definitely hiding something.
I think Declan's alright. He's obviously running from his supposed reputation and trying to be a tough guy. I don't think he murdered Lacey or had anything to do with Sarah's disappearance or anything else that would be too neat and tidy and I don't think the author would do something like that. I don't have any idea who it could be at this point. I think Sadie is hiding something also.


8. The Homecoming Court announcements: Did it surprise you that Ellery was nominated for Queen? Why do you think she was 'chosen' as a potential Queen? It's kind of ominous to the Homecoming, isn't it? I feel like Homecoming is where things will go crazy. What do you guys predict will happen?
Yes, it did. Maybe because of Sadie being "famous" and they want to have a daughter of a somewhat famous person on the court. I think a lot of answers are going to come out at Homecoming. It's seems a like a good time for the book to climax since it's a big event in the town.


9. As an Australian, I don't understand the craze around Homecoming. We have Formals which is similar to Homecoming but no one is chosen as a Queen or King. Did you go to a Homecoming in High School, or something similar? What was it like? I went without a boy (too cool for boys back then) and went with one of my girl friends. We had a blast! My aunty actually helped me design my dress and made it for me. It was actually my first introduction on how to dress feminine and like it!
I didn't go to Homecoming but I did go to prom every year. We had huge, formal proms at a fancy hotel with a band and a DJ. I was dating a guy in the band so I usually met up with my best friend who was also dating a guy in the band lol. We had a great time watching the guys. I was never into football so Homecoming really wasn't that exciting to me.

10. It seems like Daisy has been through a lot... Her breakdown in the car and shutting herself in her room. What do you think is going on with her? Do you think she's finally dealing with Lacey's death or do you think something else is going on with her?
I don't know maybe too much pressure to succeed plus the whole stress of her best friend dying possible at the hand of another friend. Hard to say.

Just finished last two books-ss has been updated and I think all is good on GR. Also, the questions for The Chestnut Man have been completed.

Sorry I hadn’t updated it on GR yet. I just changed the dates and put it on my TT shelf. Such a good book. This was the second time I read it & I would highly recommend it

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 5

1.) Why are you participating in this BOM? Just for extra Tower Teams points? Because you were interested in/going to read this book anyway? Have you read other words by this author?
I'll be honest I am doing it for the extra points but the book did look good and I think I already had it on my TBR list before this started. No, I haven't read anything else by her.

2.) I'm loving Ellery's true crime obsession. Pre-child I used to have the Discovery ID channel (true crime, all the time) on a lot as background. Though I'm thinking this is foreshadowing of not good things to come. What do you think? Have you read any of the crime books mentioned so far?
I love true crime. I too watch true crime quite a bit. My friend and I have re-named the ID channel the murder & mayhem channel because it's practically all true crime shows. Ellery is going to be sleuthing around and wanting to know what has happened and who committed the crimes. She can't pass up the opportunity being the true crime lover she is. I've read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and would like to re-read it at some point. I went to Savannah and toured the Johnny Mercer house where the movie was filmed and where the story took place. Did you know Johnny Mercer wrote/performed Jingle Bells and never lived in that house. I'll have to get the Ann Rule books at some point she keeps popping up for me.

3.) Characters, first impressions. What do you think of Ellery & Ezra? Sadie, and the fact they refer to her by her first name and not 'Mom'? Malcom & Katrin? Familial relations seems to be a central theme to this book and specifically sibling relationships. There's been several twin references and references to other sibling relationships (Declan, Daisy, Lacey's siblings, etc). Do you think these types of ties will play into the main story line?
I think the teens are pretty typical for their age. I think Ellery & Ezra have a good twin bond going on but still have the sister/brother rivalry going on. They seem to have had to grow up pretty quickly and fend for themselves before Sadie got in the accident. Malcolm seems nice but has low self-confidence and Katrin seems like a spoiled rich girl who can be nice at times. I think it'll definitely play into the story line. People tend to look out for their family.

4.) This book is set in a small town and that type of atmosphere has been highlighted strongly during the set-up of the story. However, it isn't really the bucolic small town setting being highlighted by the author, but the everyone is in everyone else's business and will judge the crap out of your entire family if given the chance. What do you think of small towns? Would you like to live in one (or do you already)?
Small towns are nice but they are also a pain. They're like family, it's nice to have a support system and people who look out for you but at the same time you want them to stay out of your business and not be a pain the neck.

5.) I loved the epitaph of Mr. Bowman's tombstone.
"Tell me and I forget
Teach me and I may remember
Involve me and I learn"
What did you think about it? Do you agree with the statement? And why do you think there has been such a focus on a seemingly sad, but random hit and run?
I agree with the statement. If you involve someone in learning something they are more likely to remember than if you just tell them about it. Hands on teaching is probably the best way to teach someone. They have to do it themselves instead of just taking notes or regurgitating what they have read and really learning the subject. Mr Bowman seems like he was a wonderful teacher who somehow got wrapped up in something that cost him everything.

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.