Kerri’s Comments (group member since Sep 29, 2015)

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

Day 7 DQs - Chpt 114-End


31. When Genz started to torture Rosa, it made me think back to the other murders. It started off with 1 hand, then 2 hands, then 2 hands and a foot. What do you think the significance was of cutting of the victims' hands and feet? It didn't appear that he did the same to his prior victims so why the escalation?

I think his prior victims were early forays into killing. He hadn't come up with a concrete revenge plot yet, he was just killing. I think the mutilation was symbolic to make these women look more and more like chestnut men. Just little stick arms and legs.

32. On that same note, now knowing that the girl was not Thulin in the first chapter, do you still believe the same or have another theory on why Thulin reacted the way she did when she saw the chestnut man at the first crime scene? Was there a valid reason which was not explored, or was it more for dramatic effect?

I thought it was just author choice from the get-go and I'm sticking with that. That and the fact that chestnut men are just creepy...

33. Some of us guessed earlier on but we now know what happened to Kristine. Why do you think Genz kept her alive this entire time? And after what was done to her, why do you think Astrid went along with this plan? Was she of sound mind?

Astrid is definitely not of sound mind. She's been through a lot, so it's understandable and having a brother like Genz certainly didn't help. Astrid will do basically whatever Genz says, so I'm not surprised she went along with his plan. I think Genz kept Kristine alive partly for his own crazy reasons and because he thought she would be good for Astrid.

34. I thought the plot was wrapped up nicely in the end but that last chapter with Linus Bekker was a little ominous. What do you think he will do next? Do you think he'll take over where the Chestnut Man left off?

I think Linus is definitely going to take up the Chestnut Man mantle. It's surprising he hadn't killed anyone before he was arrested, tbh.

35. With how lengthy this book was, did it keep your attention throughout? Did it end as you expected? How did you rate it?

It really did keep my attention. I flew through this book! It some ways it ended as I expected and in others it didn't. I suspected Genz was the killer, but I was sure that Kristine was dead! I rated it three stars, however, because I just couldn't get past the feeling that the author was purposely being graphic when it came to the abuse just for the shock factor. Did not like that.

36. I read that not only is Netflix adapting this novel into a series, but that the author is writing a follow-up novel. Are you interested in reading more by this author? Interested in reading more in this world/series?

I'm not surprised that this might become a series. It definitely had an open-ended ending with Bekker. I'm not sure if I would continue on, but it's a possibility.

Day 6 - Chapters 99-113

26. How convenient that Hess found the chestnut people & animals by accident in the photo from the case in 1989. I honestly thought this could have been carried out /written better. What were your thoughts? Did you still remember they had requested the photos but never looked at them?

I actually thought this part made sense. Something was still nagging him, so he decided to look at the photos. He noticed that Bekker had looked at that particular photo more than any of the others, so he was looking at it extra close to try and figure out what was so intriguing about it. It makes sense he would note the chestnut figures since there were so many of them in that basement, from what we're told at the beginning. I did remember the photos, but I'm surprised they were actually sent to Hess because of who the killer turned out to be.

27. Lol after the chapter in which Genz and Thulin went for a run I made a note to ask you guys what your thoughts were of him, and then there was this big reveal! Did you suspect him at all?

I did! I started suspecting him about halfway through the book and I can't even put my finger on why. I think it was because, for someone who is so good at their job, he seemed to take a lot of time getting Hess and Thulin certain information. It seemed like he was stalling to string them along.

28. It had been mentioned before that Rosa was in the foster system. Did you pick up on it back then and already make the connection? What was your theory?

I had forgotten about it until she got that wreath on her back porch. Then it all started clicking into place.

29. Wow, that last chapter 113 - didn't expect this background story to hit me so hard. Did you expect anything like this? How do you feel about Rosa, her parents and the twins right now?

That was intense. I know kids do things without thinking, so I don't blame young Rosa, but I can see why Genz decided in his messed up brain to get his revenge on her. Just horrific...

30. Also, where is Frederick Vogel??? Do you think he plays a part in this, or was it just a coincidence that he wasn't there when Rosa asked about him?

Eh, I think it's just a coincidence.

To kind of pick up on the bonus question of Day 4 - I think this book would make an amazing tv show, do you think or hope it'll get made into one? Would you watch?

I feel like this would definitely be a thrilling TV show. I'm not sure if I'd watch it, though... just reading some of the horrible things that happened to the children and women in this book was enough for me...

DQs Day 5 - Chapters 79-98

20. Why do you think all the victims were from abusive or neglectful homes? And how do you think the minister Rosa Hartem ties into these chestnut men? Is it more than just her daughter’s “disappearance”?

I definitely think that the killer is trying to send a message. I'm not sure how Rosa is connected to the Chestnut Man, but I'm beginning to think that the killer is trying to get to her. I don't know if it's because of her position in the government or if it has to do with Kristine's disappearance.

21. I find the character of Lunas Becker fascinating. I think he makes a great scapegoat for the crime of Katherine’s disappearance, and he seems to know something about The Chestnut Man.. What did you think about the interview Thulin and Hess have with Lunas Becker in the facility for the criminally insane?

He is a complete psychopath. He's playing those psychiatrists hard. He may not have actually killed anyone, but I'm pretty sure it's still a good thing that he is behind bars... I'm not sure why he would have admitted to something he didn't do, though. He said it was because he was playing his part or something like that and he is crazy... who knows.

22. Eskar Neergord and his wife Benedicta come up with a plan to infiltrate the Minister’s house by having Eskar hired as her private driver. That gives him direct access to her son Gustav, and when things start to go awry, Eskar and Benedicta decide to kidnap him. At the same time, the police broke into Eskar and Benedicta’s home and find all sorts of photos of the minister’s house. Do you think they are involved somehow with the chestnut dolls showing up?

I don't think they're involved with the Chestnut Man killings at all. I feel like they had their own agenda and these killings have thrown everything off for them. They had a much better plan for the kidnapping that was fouled up because of the Chestnut Man investigation. But, yeah, I don't think they are in any way involved.

23. Hess appears to be the only one in the room who thinks Eskar and Benedicta are not involved in the murders of the women, even if they are involved in the kidnapping. As he looks around the command room, he seems to think they are all still dancing to invisible strings in the air. Why do you think Hess thinks that and do you agree?

I think Hess is skeptical because, as he pointed out, there were a ton of pictures of Rosa found in the house, meaning these kidnappers do their research and like to post pictures, but they don't find any pictures of the murdered women. It seems wrong. I agree with him... someone else is pulling the strings still.

24. Eskar is able to stop Benedicta from hurting Gustav when they pull off into the woods. Then a strange car pulls off into the woods behind them and someone starts walking up. Later we find that both Eskar and Benedicta are dead outside the van, and the boy was saved by the task force that arrives. Who do you think followed the couple into the woods and killed them? Do you think it could be Frederick Vogel the minister’s advisor?

I don't think it's Vogel. I'm not gonna say who I guessed it was at this point because I turned out to be right, lol.

25. Who do you think put the cut off hands and feet in the mini-fridge in the slaughterhouse?

Refer to my last answer!

Catching up on the thread because I have been a busy lady these past few days.

I'll take a look at the story and see if I have anything. I like your story, Alysa! If we come up with anything, should we just post it here to the thread or is it better to put it on the spreadsheet like you mentioned?

Bingo, yay! Card #3 looks fine to me :)

Yay for Ninth House winning the poll! I'm so excited to read that book.

Sweet! I'll add it on :)

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?

I was so mad during this section! What a completely terrible human being. And to say that she got what she deserved because she was attempting to leave his abusive ass.... ugh. But that's how abusers think. Everything is everyone else's problem/fault. Ugh. I was, however, super satisfied when they told him they were arresting him for abuse and they threw him in a cell.

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?

Not sure, but, from the way Hess handles things, it was probably because he went and did something without consulting anyone and got in trouble for it. It seems like he gets an idea and just runs with it without consulting his partner.

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?

I thought the police presence would scare the killer off but I *was* surprised that he ended up at the cabin in the woods! And I was surprised that the killer was clever enough to send the lover into the trap to keep the police distracted. I feel like it has to be someone on the inside...

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 really enjoy the multiple prospectives! I think it helps me get even more immersed in the story and it isn't all that hard to track. The author did a good job of making everyone distinct. I think the majority of the book is from the POV of Thulin and Hess, which worked for me, but it was nice to see things from outside of their POVs, as well.

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 am kind of interested in checking out the show, now. This book read like it would be a really good TV show, so I imagine his actually show is pretty thrilling.

Would you guys consider this cover blue?? I'm trying to figure out where I'm putting my books for this week.

Alysa wrote: "

Today is my birthday!
Time to party like it's 1789! Dies Irae!"

Happy birthday!! I hope it was awesome!!

I look and see if I have any good adjective books about. I've been going through the Bad Books list, as well, to see if there's anything I want to read.

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 it was just an oversight on Rosa's part. No matter how she acts, she's still reeling from her daughter's death and all this stuff being brought back up doesn't seem to be helping. I don't think she knows anything about the killer.

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?

I do think the tipster is the killer! It seems like a logical direction to go, at least. Definitely worth digging into!

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?

Uuuugh, this part made me so mad! I get burnout and everything, but all he had to do was answer the question and the police would have taken it from there! I feel like he was trying to cover his butt because he was the caseworker on both of those cases. And I think it mentioned that he noticed a similarity between the two anonymous tips? He probably didn't want to tangled up in a long, drawn out police investigation when he was trying to transfer to a different department.

14. A few people have speculated that the basement Officer Marius enters in ch. 1 could have been used 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?

I do agree, there was definitely something shady going on in that basement. It certainly seems like the killer has a vendetta against neglectful parents, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was himself a victim.

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 think it was Lassen... she was planning on leaving the country just to get away from him, after all. And she was taking the girls with her, so that makes me think he was definitely the abuser.

As for why the killer is targeting the moms... that's patriarchy for ya.

Oh man... just that title alone has me cringing, lol. I'm not a Back Room member, though I am kind of intrigued...

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'm enjoying the book so far. I'm enjoying the plot and the intrigue. I'm not a huge fan of how this author writes the sex scenes, however brief they may be. They don't add anything to the book, tbh, and feel like they're thrown in for shock value. It just rubs me the wrong way.

7. What are your impressions about the time line from Marius to Kristine to Laura?

I think Kristine and Laura's murders are connected somehow. Perhaps it's the same killer? I definitely don't think the Bekker dude actually killed her. I think he was railroaded because they had no other leads. As for Marius... I have no idea how that first part might be connected beyond all the creepy chestnut men/animals Marius found in the basement room before he was attacked.

8. Hess and Thulin are not necessarily bosom buddies How do you see their differing working methods and relationship developing?

I think they are both smart detectives but have vastly different methods when it comes to getting the job done. Hess seems like he plays by his own rules, which is probably what got him in trouble at the Hague. Thulin is willing to think outside the box, but she still is a "company girl". She still goes with what her boss wants, mostly because she's trying to get a good recommendation letter. Still, I think they'll end up working well together.


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?

I think he was trying to find anything that was out of the ordinary to lead them in a new direction because he was sure they were focusing on the wrong suspect. And now that Kristine's fingerprint has been found on the chestnut man, he's thinking there's a bigger case going on beyond Laura's murder.

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?

That part was pretty intense! And then when they found Laura's hand in the package, that gave me chills. I knew crap was about to go down!

Alright, full disclosure, I've already finished this book. I'm going to make a concentrated effort to answer these as I would have when reading whatever section we're in!

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 assume that perhaps the smaller kids were kept locked down there? The girl doesn't seem to be in too good of shape, so it seems clear that they weren't properly taken care of her. Hopefully it's something less awful than that and I've just watched too many crime shows...

2. We get 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?

Perhaps it just seems so out of place that it was shocking? Or it's a bit of authorial foreshadowing. The book is called The Chestnut Man! Or she thinks they're creepy which, from the description, they certainly sound creepy.

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?

Not a huge fan, tbh. Thulin rubs me the wrong way for the same reason as mentioned in the question. Homicide might not be your bag, but you should still want to do the best job you can. She's sharp but she's complacent because she wants to get out of there. Hess is a whole bag of mess, seriously.

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 don't think there's really a "typical" reaction for such a devastating loss. I think their reactions feel real, though. I think I would react similarly to Rosa. I would need something, whether it be my job or a hobby, to take my mind off of my missing, possibly dead child. I think it's so much worse that they don't know... And I would need something to distract me or I would be obsessed with finding out the answer.

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 think it's a cruel joke. It seems highly unlikely that she would be alive after a year of being missing. Typically, if kidnap victims aren't found within the first 24-48 hrs, they're probably already dead. At least, according to ID Channel. Have I mentioned I watch a lot of true crime, lol

Rebecca wrote: "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 loo..."

Thanks for the well-wishes! I'm starting to feel much better, though the coughing is continuing with gusto.

Finished up The Chestnut Man and updated the spreadsheet :-D That was a wild ride... Now to go answer some DQs!

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'm more in the ..."

Sorry, yes, I've been reading The Chestnut Man as my book for the week! I just haven't put it on the spreadsheet yet. I started feeling sick Wednesday night and I've been feeling wiped out since then. I think I fell asleep around 9 last night, which is a big thing for me, being a night owl!

Speaking of illnesses, I'm glad you're feeling better, Frankie!

Alysa wrote: "It’s been confirmed that, for the winning book of the Dec Adult BOM, if it has been read at any time during TT, it can be used for BOM points.

I am gonna vote for ,..."

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.

Alysa wrote: "The YA December BOM won’t be part of TT, I don’t think, since TT will be over by then.
But for the Adult poll, rereads may be an issue for plenty of people!"

Ha, I completely forgot that! That makes me a little sad... also, holy crap this is going fast???

Jessi wrote: "Kerri wrote: "I'm not sure if I missed this in the rules, but if the book that is picked for BOM is something we've read within the last six months, could we still participate in the discussion and..."

Got it! There are quite a few books on the YA poll that I read recently, so I was just wondering :) I'll just cross my fingers that something else wins!

I'm not sure if I missed this in the rules, but if the book that is picked for BOM is something we've read within the last six months, could we still participate in the discussion and get those points? I know we can't get points for reading the book.