Judith’s Comments (group member since Apr 15, 2015)

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

Day 4 ch 24-30

9) What did you think of the speech Bronte’s mom gave at the community meeting? More effective than a tearful statement?

10) There’s been a lot of mentions of George ripping out all of the landscaping Ash did at his grandmother’s house. Do you think this leads to anything (like Gabby’s missing body) or just distracting small town drama?

11) The community forum proactively spilling all the small town tea is a bit “fun” as an outsider. Like watching a bad soap opera or reality TV. But these are people’s lives and it’s a bit sad and destructive. Do you follow or participate in any local community online forums?

12) E brought this up and I agree. What are you thoughts on Kieran’s relationship with his parents?

Not sure what happened to Beth but I’m going to go ahead and post my day 4 questions

Answers DQs Day 2

5) red herring. I don’t think Liam killed anyone. I think the same person that killed Gabby killed Bronte. Which eliminates Liam as he was only 7 when Gabby disappeared.

6) I’m going with murder, probably to cover up a sexual assault? Or attempted sexual assault? And my money is on the author guy. Even though that might be the obvious guess. Ash gives me a weird vibe too. Brian is a red herring I think, or I surely hope so.

7) I think the general populace of the town like Liam and the reasons making the rumor rounds. It’s straightforward, specific, and an easy story to believe as it’s the plot of so many made for tv movies. Which makes the murder less scary for the small town.

8) I think Liam did exactly what he said he did and when he left, Bronte was alive. I’m guessing someone (author) approached her beach side.

Answers Day 1 DQs

1) The timing was definitely left as a gray area. Intriguing for sure and helped set the tone of the book in addition to grabbing my interest.

2) I think misguided? I get the impression Kieran was there and I’m assuming some sort of boating accident with him being the only survivor. Maybe he was at fault? Or gets the blame because he’s the only one alive left to blame?

3) assuming on the way home. Or shortly after getting home before she had time to change. Maybe she went outside because she heard something (why do people do that? If someone scary is there WTF are you going to do aside from die outside instead of inside?)? Or maybe someone she knew showed up so she went outside to talk?

4) I ponder as I read but try not to over analyze. I want to enjoy the book more than I want to solve the puzzle

Lexi wrote: "Hope you all get internet and are doing fine with the storm. I thought we might be over specific geography so spun Discworld.

Queen of the Elves
200-299
Author's initials in MORRIS DANCING
UNICO..."

Thank you! weathered the storm okay and Cam was able to fall asleep even with some bad thunder so it all worked out.

I’ve finished the book but internet just went out because of a bad thunderstorm if someone wants to get a new monster

It’s fine. I’m not sure the author quite knew what type of book they were writing

Nope, but I have like 30 minutes left on my EB author so we can finally kill off that monster we’ve had since December

So that’s something!

I hope everyone enjoyed reading ‘round the world!

This was an amazing team and I hope to see everyone again in the fall for Wheel-a-thon. ☺️

Sounds good Melanie!

Hard to believe there is less than 20 hours to go in TT 2025

It’s been great captaining this team, you all made it easy and it helped that my co-captains are also awesome

I can switch with you Catherine

Steven wrote: "I was going to try to squeeze in a 500+ pager as my last book, but Housemaid 2 was calling to me. So I guess that’ll be my last read for the challenge. I’m so sad it’s over 😭"

Wheels will be happening later this year in the fall, so keep a look out for sign ups in a couple months ;)

Same here!

I'm glad you are starting to feel better!

Finished our tour of Greece and made a quick hop over to Italy!

Author born in Italy
Red, White and Green on cover
character uses their hands a lot (your interpretation)
character is religious
pasta on cover
letters VESPA in title (any order)
I
T
A
L
Y

Judith BOM Tracking

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: 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 6: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 6 : Chapters 34 - end

22. Within this section, we learn more about the dappleglass. What about the dappleglass do you find realistic? What is unrealistic about this plant?
Nothing really seems all that realistic but then this is a fantasy world where people use body morphs and worry about contagions. So I honestly didn't spend a lot of time thinking about.

23. What did you think of the secrets Ana and Din told each other in the “darkest hour.”
Not that surprising to be honest but it was nice to have the air cleared between them.

24. Were you expecting the answer to the mystery as Ana revealed it?
Yes, well. I was close enough on the big things anyway.

25. What were some of your favorite parts of the book? Was there anything you would have changed?
I loved the relationship between Ana and Din and how it evolved over the course of the book.

26. How likely are you to read the next book in the series? If you have read the series, are there other books by Robert Bennett that you have read and would recommend?
Definitely will be reading the next book.

DQs Day 5

Chapters: 26 - 33


17. We learn more about the world and the empire’s rules in these chapters. What part of this world feels the most unusual or fascinating to you? Would you want to live there?
All of the body morphs and this isn't a world I'd be jumping to be a part of, it's a bit too, let's saying exciting for my tastes.

18. Power and control come up again in these chapters—especially with the way information is kept or revealed. Why do you think certain characters hide things, and what does that tell us about them?
Power and control drive many things. As does greed. At the levels of politics a lot of things were happening at in this book, secrets translate into power more often than not.

19. We are introduced to Fayazi Haza and her Sublimes in this section. What was your opinion of these characters? Did you notice anything interesting about them?
Honestly they were creepy as all get out.

20. “Born into systems beyond our control, into relationships and organisations that obligate us to change…”
How do these lines reflect the pressure felt by characters like Jolgalgan or Din during these chapters? Who seems trapped by expectations, and how do they respond?
Limited options to advance and make a living drives people to tough tradeoffs. Losing your home and then realizing it could of been saved but for the greed of a single family? That could fuel a lot of rage.

21. 17. As Din gathers evidence around the Haza family’s estate, water tanks, and engineer gatherings, he begins seeing clear connections. What moment in these chapters felt most like a turning point in understanding the conspiracy and why did it stand out to you?
Honestly it was when we learned where Jolgalgan was from. Pieces started falling into place there.

Bonus: When Din is talking to Fayazi Haza in Chapter 28, he says, ”Last time they communicated to the staff at your household by throwing a yellow ball over the walls.”
I searched the ENTIRE book and never found any other reference to this “yellow ball”. What do you think of this? Is it a way of getting new information to the readers or do you think this got missed in editing? Or did I miss something? 😊

That should be or. Just one of those states

I’ve read that trilogy Erin, it’s very good