Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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All She Wrote
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October 2012, week 4: All She Wrote
Mod
Not really, I am limping hopelessly behind. But to make up for it, here's the list of all Miss Butterwith titles I could find (both books):Miss Butterwith Closes the Case
Miss Butterwith Dispenses
Miss Butterwith and the Dear Departed
Miss Butterwith and the Holy Terror
Miss Butterwith and the Body of Lies
Miss Butterwith’s Double Trouble
Dead Weights for Miss Butterwith
Last Call for Miss Butterwith
Open Season on Miss Butterwith
Miss Butterwith Closes the Case
The Moving Finger Writes for Miss Butterwith
Sow Shall Ye Reap, Miss Butterwith
Miss Butterwith’s £ of Prevention
Miss Butterwith Closes the Case is actually mentioned in both books.
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And hello, Karen! The second evening in a row that we are both here at the same time. Yay!
Thanks for the list, Liade! I love the titles, you just can imagine how the novels would be. Something I would definitely read, knowing that Miss Butterwith's comments come with Kit's (sarcastic) wit. :D
Mod
What did you girls think about chapter 19? There is one line that seem to stick with me and it's on page 207:
He added with breathtaking honesty: "I want to fuck you in those glasses."
Also the book signing moment at Blackbird Books was memorable. ;)
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"Would it be easier if you drove?" J.X. asked suddenly over the crunch of our boots in the snow.
"What?" I threw him a quick look.
"You're still edgy about riding in a car. Would you prefer to drive?"
How the hell could he know that? Was it a cop thing or was it because he was paying me the kind of attention Miss Butterwith generally reserved for the rare cypripedium calceolus orchid?
Cypripedium calceolus:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypriped...
and
http://www.ukwildflowers.com/Web_page...
Johanna wrote: "Hi Calathea! So happy to see you. :)"Hi Johanna! *waves* Sorry I was scarce at the weekend. I was commandeered for (hard) garden work, cutting trees and stuff... I'm glad to report that I can still move and no tree branch fell on my head.
Re chapter 19: There are several interesting points in there that tell us about the developing relationship. For instance, at the beginning when Kit and J.X. get into the car and J.X. offers to let Kit drive.
"Maybe if you're driving, you'll feel more in control."Kit is willing to relinquish control to J.X. because it would be safer. Not for Kit himself but for J.X.! He puts J.X. first. I think that says a lot. :)
I hesitated. I did much prefer to drive, but I needed to consider his welfare as much as my own comfort. "I don't think it's a good idea with my shoulder." (p. 204 f.)
And then, that hot comment about Kit being sexy and cute in glasses. Oh, yes! :D
Mod
I hesitated. I did much prefer to drive, but I needed to consider his welfare as much as my own comfort. "I don't think it's a good idea with my shoulder." (p. 204 f.)
Kit is willing to relinquish control to J.X. because it would be safer. Not for Kit himself but for J.X.! He puts J.X. first. I think that says a lot. :)"
I know! And for a while there I felt like they weren't talking about driving at all, but something else altogether.
Johanna wrote: "There are more plants in chapter 19 (page 204):"Would it be easier if you drove?" J.X. asked suddenly over the crunch of our boots in the snow.
"What?" I threw him a quick look.
"You're still edg..."
Ha, we have that orchid, too, near where my parents live! We used to hike to the places where it and the equally rare and quite unassuming ophrys insectifera could be found. They are easily overlooked in the high grass and it's understandable that Miss Butterwith would have to pay close attention. :)
I have this thought after reading chapter 19, that Kit is maturing as we read ( as he speaks to us), both when it comes to the age thing, which is ridiculous. I agree that five years are a lot when one is newborn and the other has his five years birthday, :)but a forty and a thirtyfive year old are practically the same. As says J.X. And as Kit is starting to see too. The same when it comes to his professional jealousy of J.X.'s success. Now he starts to be happy for J.X. and proud of him in stead of resentful. So the beautiful love scene and J.X.'s insistence that he his loveworthy is beginning to have its effect, to make him perhps a little less vulnerable and self-conscious, a little more secure.I also love how J.X. knows how to distract him fom his fear in the car, how he understands Kit so well. He definitely shows he is at least as mature as Kit, despite being five years younger. And he speaks his love and shows it. Who wouldn't love a man like that! :)
Johanna wrote: "I know! And for a while there I felt like they weren't talking about driving at all, but something else altogether. "Yes, exactly!
J.X. laughed, a low rasp of sound like warm, soft sand on bare skin.Mmmmm. :)
And then they have the debate about AGE. *shudders* ;)
"You have to stop with the age thing, Kit. You're only five years older than me. We could have gone to school together." (p. 207)Go, J.X.! That had to have been said. Kit trys to find excuses and reasons why the age gap still is significant but J.X. just won't have any of it. That man is incredible! You just have to love him. :)
He laughed, but was serious when he said, “You’re using those five years to try and distance yourself from me.”And Kit can now admit and say out loud where his hookups stem from. These are big steps he's taking.
“I don’t think I am. It is a difference.”
“Kit, you’re forty. You look thirty. You act…well, never mind. You’re carrying on like you think you’re seventy.” (p. 207)
“And?”
Was I really going to share this? It appeared I was. “I guess that stems from the stuff going on in my career and from what happened with David.”
“That asshole.” He growled it with heartwarming promptness. “We lost enough time thanks to him. Don’t let him cost us even another day.” (p. 208)
Mod
There are so many vivid images drawn in this chapter. Because of this lively description we can imagine exactly what Kit's "Uhhhh..." sounds like:
Uhhhh..." I made a sound generally only heard when police officers ask what you were doing three Friday nights ago at eight o'clock—and can anyone verify your alibi. (page 207)
And didn't you just love the way J.X. laughed after that:
J.X. laughed, a low rasp of sound like a warm, soft sand on bare skin. (page 207)
Wow. :)
Their discussion about their age difference is also very entertaining. I especially liked this line:
"Kit, you're forty. You look thirty. You act...well, never mind. You're carrying on like you think you're seventy." (page 207)
And after Kit confesses that the things related to his career and what happened with David actually affect his thoughts about his age, J.X.'s comments are spot on:
"That asshole." He growled it with heartwarming promptness. "We lost enough time thanks to him. Don't let him cost us even another day."
"Thanks. I'll try not to obsess."
"Good luck with that." (page 208)
They were talking about possible motives for murder earlier and Life of Pi came up.
“We need to talk to Rowland. Maybe it had something to do with this book group they all belonged to.”Has anyone of you read the book?
“Such as?”
“Who knows. Maybe someone snapped after being forced to read Life of Pi for the hundredth time.” (p. 206)
ETA:
It was warm and bright inside, smelling of books and hardwood floors and the bakery next door. (p. 209)Don't you know exactly how this smells? The bakery is a nice addition to the smell of large quantaties of books. It's very distinctive, soothing and exciting at the same time, in libraries even more than in book shops.
When they talk to Rowland I came to like him. He seems to be a really nice guy, sincerely delighted to have J.X. in his store and grateful to have him sign books. Or the way he just can't make the connection from poison in the bottle of wine to somebody wanting to kill Vitoria. Maybe he's a little naive or unworldly (if that is a word?). On the other hand that doesn't bode well for his own writing aspirations.
I said awkwardly, “I’m okay. Grateful to…” Well, that was more awkward still.That was beyond awkward. J.X. saved the day and they all gladly jumped on the new topic.
J.X. said, “Great little bookshop you’ve got here. Nice selection of titles. Do you hold many signings?”
He peeled the star-shaped gold labels indicating a signed copy off a long sheet and stuck them firmly on the covers right over Miss B’s beaming face. (p. 212)I hate when they do this! Stick the labels over part of the title or face of the protagonist, argh! Maybe I have to go back on my judgement of Rowland as a nice guy...
"Johanna wrote: "Anyway, it was very sweet of J.X. to distract Kit so skillfully while they were driving by the scene of the accident. That man sure knows how to push Kit's buttons..."I get the feeling we share a brain... ;)
I had heard a lot about it, then I finally bought it and started reading it basically at the same time I read ASW. It was absolutely funny for me to come to that sentence of ASW!I still wonder what was all the fuss about the book. Yes, it was pleasant, but nothing I would enthusiastically tell my friends about.
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Yeah, the word telepathy undeniably comes to mind... LOL.
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Ah. Lovely!
Antonella wrote: "I had heard a lot about it, then I finally bought it and started reading it basically at the same time I read ASW. It was absolutely funny for me to come to that sentence of ASW!I still wonder wh..."
At least you know what it is about. :-) I might have spotted the title on some list but never got tempted to try it.
Johanna wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I get the feeling we share a brain... ;)"Yeah, the word telepathy undeniably comes to mind... LOL."
Let's keep this secret! If the big telecommunication companies heared of this they would surely find a way to charge us.
That is the book with the tiger and the lifeboat, isn't it? I have been meaning to read it for some time (for years it used to stare at me in English bookshops), but it looks as if maybe I could save myself the money ^;^.
Liade wrote: "That is the book with the tiger and the lifeboat, isn't it? I have been meaning to read it for some time (for years it used to stare at me in English bookshops), but it looks as if maybe I could sa..."Maybe they make a movie of it...
I actually loved Life of Pi, but I think I would have started to hate it if I was forced to read it 100 times. But I can definitely recommend you to read it once :)
Mod
http://www.bestbuyeyeglasses.com/gior...
Interested? Anyone? ;)
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Don't you know exactly how this smells? The bakery is a nice addition to the smell of large quantaties of books. It's very distinctive, soothing and exciting at the same time, in libraries even more than in book shops."
I associate this with California. When traveling there last summer and visiting as many book stores as possible, I couldn't help noticing that quite a few had a cafe in (or at least in close proximity to) them. I wish we would have more book stores like that in Finland, too...
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"True, but nearly everyone involved in this case is a writer. Or involved in publishing somehow."
As I said it, I had a flash of awareness that I'd hit on something. Something significant.
The next instant it was gone.
Argh. Don't you just hate when that happens! I'm certainly not solving mysteries on a daily basis, but I do know how it feels when a thought that carries meaning escapes me...
It seems that chewing over their relationship has taken a lot of Kit's time and consideration. Last time when he would have wanted to mull over the murder mystery, J.X. cunningly seduced him. ;) Kit clearly needs time for himself to be only with his thoughts for a while to truly begin to solve the mystery puzzle. When there are constantly other things distracting him, the common thread keeps escaping him. Although he has been in a relationship with David for years, he's been practically alone — or at least he is used to having a lot of time to think.
Johanna wrote: "We have only five chapters left and in the end of the chapter 19 we get a hint about how close to unraveling the mystery Kit might actually be:"True, but nearly everyone involved in this case is ..."
I was thinking the same, that the mystery has been relegated to the back of Kit's mind and subsequently the book for at least a few chapters, while the romance and love has been more important. But I guess it will be more mystery time in the last chapters.
J.X. probably also uses his seducing power (which is considerable!) to keep him away from the sleuthing. But knowing Kit, it will not last for long :) I agree that he probably needs some alone time to think things through.
Mod
Very true! ;)
I'd also like to think that Kit's personal stuff feels more important to him in comparison to helping Anna and solving the mystery — but I'm afraid that isn't the case (at least not yet). I mean, he isn't probably consciously thinking like that anyway. He feels so dutiful towards Anna. Although he is consciously trying to break his "thinking habits" by cutting the automatic sarcastic distancing short... so, you never know, right?
And because he is in a turning point of his life (with his career and his love life) that must have at least some kind of influence on the way he thinks. When the storyline has continued, Kit has been gathering and organizing his thoughts more and more. He has even been doubting his old beliefs and kind of observing his own way of thinking.
Kit has clearly reached the point in his life where he has two options: 1) to ignore the uncomfortable, difficult feelings and thoughts and to continue to live same as before or 2) to confront his new, unpleasant and mixed feelings and thoughts by stepping out of his safe comfort zone and to change his routines.
Since I think that it's kind of a built-in feature in all of us humans that we do not like to deal with unpleasant feelings and thoughts, I'm happy to see that Kit seems to be willing to take the harder road and to go through all the struggling.
So, Anne, when you wrote earlier that I have this thought after reading chapter 19, that Kit is maturing as we read (as he speaks to us) was this something that you were thinking too? You pointed out the age thing and the jealousy issue, so I assume that we are thinking the same way about this. :)
Johanna wrote: "Anne wrote: "J.X. probably also uses his seducing power (which is considerable!) to keep him away from the sleuthing."Very true! ;)
I'd also like to think that Kit's personal stuff feels more im..."
Definitely what I think as well, he is having a good look at himself, his outlook on life in general and love especially and is starting to accept that he needs to change if he won't let this chance of love and maybe future happiness with J.X. disappear. And as we all know, changes, even when we know they are for the best in the long run, are painful to go through.
Hi everyone :)I'm here and reading the book, sorry if I haven't commented much but so far RL isn't giving me time to breathe. :/
Darkm wrote: "Hi everyone :)I'm here and reading the book, sorry if I haven't commented much but so far RL isn't giving me time to breathe. :/"
That's real life for you, no sense of priorities :)
Mod
Very true — again. ;)
Ok. Here are some thoughts about chapter 20, which was a fun chapter to read partly because Kit and J.X. are so relaxed together. Also because this is a re-read for me and I know what happens in the next chapter, this one felt like... a sweet foreplay with all the friendly and flirty quarrel between these two men. Both of them also seem to watch very closely the other one's expressions and body language. On the very first page of chapter 20 we get to enjoy Kit's view of J.X.:
[...] He was all business now. He slid the final stack of signed books across the counter and thrust his hands in his pockets. He looked casually, devastatingly tough and capable. Like those hip young television cops—only genuinely smart and competent. (page 215)
I find this following observation especially cute, because it shows that Kit already recognizes exactly what kind of mood J.X. is in from an ultra small feature of J.X.'s upper lip. Kit obviously pays attention to the things that really matter. *grin* We can also assume that J.X. has made this facial expression many times before while being with Kit. And what does that tell us? *grin*
I looked at J.X. His upper lip had that quirk that indicated his particular blend of sardonic amusement. (page 215)
There is an agonizing moment when Kit and J.X. are about to leave the book store and Rowland asks Kit, if Nella had said anything (about Rowland) just before she died:
"Nella. Did she...you were one of the last people to talk to her, you were with her when she...I wondered if she...said anything."
I don't know if I've ever witnessed anything quite that excruciatingly naked. He was in such pain I was briefly tempted to make up some conversation between me and Nella where Rowland had somehow heroically figured in.
After that distressing moment even the dirty snow and car exhaust smelled good. This is a very powerful line — it has so much meaning in it that it almost makes me feel ill:
The smell of dirty snow and car exhaust was weirdly bracing as we walked around the building. (page 217)
Nella's and Rowland's story (or the fact that there wouldn't be any story at all) makes me think about lost chances. Well, I think I'll better start another post, before I get all gloomy...
Mod
"[...] She was obsessed with her writing, with her career."
"Sounds familiar."
"Hey, I wasn't always stodgy and middle-aged."
"I know."
"I got around plenty in college."
"I don't doubt it. You'd have been one cute twink."
I sniffed disapprovingly. "I was never a twink."
"No?"
I glanced at him. He was smiling. "And don't think I don't know what you're doing."
"What am I doing?"
"Deliberately distracting me."
He gave me a sideways look. "Is it working?" (page 218)
Ricardo, the flirting waiter at Mamma Zini's Ristorante was a very entertaining character — and especially seen through Kit's eyes. :) This line about Ricardo's act almost caused me to choke on hot cocoa:
He did pretty much everything but wave his breadstick in J.X.'s face. (page 218)
Words fail me. Let me just say OMG and LOL. ;)
My eyes are probably failing me too, because Kit is actually paying J.X. compliments (even though he disguises them partly as jokes):
I grinned, enjoying his discomfiture. "I'm kind on enjoying being with the best-looking man in the room."
"I was thinking the same thing," he retorted.
"That I was enjoying being with the best-looking man in the room?" (page 219)
Dear J.X. is not willing to drop the age issue:
One thing I want to get straight between us right now. I don't want to hear the M word out of you anymore."
"Murder?"
He was not amused. "Middle-aged. Let it go, Kit." (page 219)
But it seems that even the age conversation can't spoil Kit's good mood:
I set my menu aside. "Jeez, you young whippersnappers need to learn to lighten up." (page 219)
and a little later
"Okay. Fine. I'm only as young as I feel, which tonight is older than both of us put together, but whatever. When I get back to L.A. I'm going to buy myself a BlackBerry and a slew of French-cuffed shirts. Possibly a nipple ring." (page 219)
The way J.X. encourages Kit to ponder on the murder case during the dinner is sweet. Although J.X.'s motives are questionable:
"[...] I figure it's better if we talk it all out now so we can focus on other things tonight." (page 224)
It's cute how their thoughts wonder after J.X.'s comment. There is a lot of shifting in chairs and clearing throats and reaching for drinking glasses for a minute. ;) Awww. :)
I wrote a long-ish post to reply, Johanna, but then my notebook shut down and it is lost. :-( I'm typing on my phone now. No fun, that.The general idea of my post was that I love your comments and agree wholeheartedly, esp. regarding the funny lines and the sad story of Rowland and (not) Nella.
Mod
That is so frustrating!!! See you tomorrow with better luck... and I knew you would agree with me (telepathy, remember?). ;)
Mod
Lots of similar thoughts on Chapter 19 and 20. I also highlighted J.X.'s comment about Kit's glasses (naturally) and the line about Ricardo's "breadstick." I appreciated how carefully J.X. and Kit navigated the delicate situation in Rowland's bookstore, and loved their banter in the restaurant:
“Aw. Look at him.” I nodded after Ricardo. “He’s heartbroken. He was all hopeful because he thinks you knock me around.” I winked my still-colorful eye at him. J.X. swallowed the wrong way and started coughing. We nearly had Ricardo rushing back to the rescue, but I waved him off, briskly smacking J.X. between the shoulder blades.
And more and more notice in being paid to the literary qualities of what's going on, on how "life" imitates art...
Rowland on the possibility of Victoria being the poisoner: "That’s…that’s like out of a book.”
Kit's rejoinder: “True, but nearly everyone involved in this case is a writer. Or involved in publishing somehow.” As I said it, I had a flash of awareness that I’d hit on something. Something significant. The next instant it was gone."
Kit's thought following this awkward interview: The sleuth thing isn’t as easy to do as it is to write.
Then, Kit's comment during dinner: "...I keep feeling like there’s something obvious and I can’t see it because I’m too close to it.”
There's a lot of fun to be had in a mystery about mystery writers trying to solve a mystery. Josh deftly juggles the both humorous and more serious moments.
There's a lot of fun to be had in a mystery about mystery writers trying to solve a mystery. Josh deftly juggles the both humorous and more serious moments. I agree.
I think the scene in the bookstore was heartbreaking, and the phrase Johanna underlined ( The smell of dirty snow and car exhaust was weirdly bracing as we walked around the building. (page 217) ) more than anything shows how it's the simple things that are able to ground us when the moments are too emotional.
I'm hoping that in a way the missed "romance" between Nella and Rowland will remain in a corner of Kit's mind and guide him, because if he can't drop the "you're younger, sexier and more talented" speech in his mind, I fear he's going to run again.
Mod
Anyway, It was nice to read your comments this morning. :)
Karen wrote: "There's a lot of fun to be had in a mystery about mystery writers trying to solve a mystery. Josh deftly juggles the both humorous and more serious moments."
I, too, agree. ;)
Karen wrote: "And more and more notice in being paid to the literary qualities of what's going on, on how "life" imitates art...
Yes. I liked the quotes you'd found on how life imitates art in this story. :)
Darkm wrote: "I'm hoping that in a way the missed "romance" between Nella and Rowland will remain in a corner of Kit's mind and guide him"
Indeed!
Mod
I also felt that this was a treasured moment, so beautiful in its simplicity with the awakening hope:
As the tires hissed soothingly on the wet road it occurred to me that if we could work things out, this moonlit drive might be typical of many nights and many drives...that perhaps, just perhaps, J.X. and I were heading for a future together. (page 229)
Wonderful how Kit associates the possible future together with such a simple, everyday routine as driving in a car together. Let's enjoy those kind of ordinary things today, shall we? Just like it also says in the song: "Our dreams, and they are made out of real things." Nothing fancy, just the everyday things that matter.
Jack Johnson: Better Together
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfoqEL...
There is no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing, but I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a, shoebox of photographs
With sepia-toned loving
Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together
Mmm, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together
And all of these moments
Just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they'll be gone
When the morning light sings
And brings new things
For tomorrow night you see
That they'll be gone too
Too many things I have to do
But if all of these dreams might find their way
Into my day to day scene
I'd be under the impression
I was somewhere in between
With only two
Just me and you
Not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be
We'll sit beneath the mango tree now
Yeah, it's always better when we're together
Mmm, we're somewhere in between together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together
Mmm, mmm, mmm
I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together.
While listening to this song I started to hope that Josh would make a soundtrack for The Boy With The Painful Tattoo. This kind of multidisciplinary tends to add some nice nuances to the story at hand. Or at least that's how I feel about it. (ETA: Just like all the countless, delightful details and references that we can find in his stories add a new, fun layer to the reading experience.)
Johanna wrote: "Karen and Darkm, don't you two worry, you haven't miss anything crucial, we are in no hurry here. :) I was just ordered at least 3-4 weeks more sick leave, so that's why I have so much time to comm..."Take care of yourself, Johanna and be better soon. It is good that the doctors make sure you are getting the rest you need.
Anne wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Take care of yourself, Johanna and be better soon. It is good that the doctors make sure you are getting the rest you need."Ditto!
((Not that I don't enjoy your comments.))
Mod
Ditto!
((Not that I don't enjoy your comments.))"
But that's me resting (when I write comments). *grin* Anyway, thank you for the kind thoughts, you both. And yes, I sure needed something to happen — even though it's not nice when that something is getting sick. And I'm happy that there are people around me to make sure that I will rest and take it easy. I'm also going to have to do some serious prioritizing in my life and I want to give a lot of time and thought to that now — and in the future. But, everything will be all right eventually.
Mod
I saw that Josh had some iTunes playlists in the past for some of his books, but can't seem to find them now. I agree that it's a nice touch, a bonus for readers.
Chapter 21.
I recall thinking, especially on a prior read, that Kit was a bit harsh in going on about Ricky's "bimbo." He doesn't care for Ricky and that extends to anyone who would be taken in by Ricky's glitz. Yet we appreciate Kit, warts and all. It's refreshing to care about a protagonist even when he's behaving a bit badly. Kit and J.X. may not agree with each other, but are able to agree to disagree, or use their arguments to distract each other with purpose...
The lines Johanna quoted of Kit's thoughts during their drive and the Jack Johnson song were the ones I couldn't recall immediately in the prior chapter section, another passage weaving "us" and California together. Kit is still hedging his bets/heart:
...it occurred to me that if we could work things out, this moonlit drive might be typical of many nights and many drives…that perhaps, just perhaps, J.X. and I were heading for a future together. Maybe.
That was what J.X. wanted—thought he wanted, anyway—and it was what I thought I wanted.
That "maybe" is a one word sentence, a one word paragraph. With a quick thought as to what J.X. wants or thinks J.X. wants, and what Kit thinks Kit wants, he goes back to engaging J.X. in their analysis of possible murderers and motives.
And in the middle of their discussion there's the kind of line that Josh excels in pulling out of his hat, but without fanfare or unnecessary elaboration. It's just a fleeting impression of the passing landscape, one that anchors us to a sense of actual experience, a sense of actual place.
I watched the white moon over the tops of the trees lighting the whole night sky in a platinum haze.
Mod
Hey! It's your morning, my evening, right? Anyways it's so nice to be here at the same time. :) I really appreciate your warm thoughts — all of you. And you know, you all make me so happy every day, even though we really don't know each other, but the funny thing is that I feel like I've known you guys for years. I'd never thought that I would find new friends through the internet at my age (OMG, I'm starting to sound like Kit...).
Karen wrote: "That "maybe" is a one word sentence, a one word paragraph. With a quick thought as to what J.X. wants or thinks J.X. wants, and what Kit thinks Kit wants, he goes back to engaging J.X. in their analysis of possible murderers and motives."
Yes. That maybe. Very economical, very powerful, very Josh. ;)
Karen wrote: "I saw that Josh had some iTunes playlists in the past for some of his books, but can't seem to find them now. I agree that it's a nice touch, a bonus for readers."
There are playlists for at least Fair Game, Dead Run and The Dark Tide. You can find them on Josh's official site:
http://www.joshlanyon.com
When you roll to the end of each book's web page, you find the playlist. I found them sometime last winter and have been listening them quite a bit after that. They have some of my favorite bands on them: Snow Patrol, Lifehouse, Poets Of The Fall (a Finnish band)... and for example couple of beautiful songs from Carla Bruni. I've also found some new favorites thanks to those playlists. :)
Johanna wrote: "Karen and Darkm, don't you two worry, you haven't miss anything crucial, we are in no hurry here. :) I was just ordered at least 3-4 weeks more sick leave, so that's why I have so much time to comm..."Take your time and get lots of rest, Johanna! Gardening is a wonderful way to de-stress (when not overdone^^). And aren't pets said to lower blood presure?
Thank you for posting the Jack Johnson song. Strangely, I'm not good with play lists for books but one special song, like this, that fits the mood, does wonders. A similar effect have those book trailers. They don't work (for me) as a buying incentive but I love to watch them after having read the book. :)
Darkm wrote: "I'm hoping that in a way the missed "romance" between Nella and Rowland will remain in a corner of Kit's mind and guide him, because if he can't drop the "you're younger, sexier and more talented" speech in his mind, I fear he's going to run again. "
That's an interesting thought! I didn't realize that the whole episode could be read as an example for Kit to seize the day or count his blessings or such and be brave and stay.
Karen wrote: "There's a lot of fun to be had in a mystery about mystery writers trying to solve a mystery. Josh deftly juggles the both humorous and more serious moments. "
Oh, yes, that amuses me to no end! :D Like in SKHE with all the pink ladies. ;)
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"[...] And that's really the problem I have with the idea of Poppy as Lucrezia Borgia. Poppy doesn't seem like someone who would go to this much trouble to get rid of an enemy. [...]"
Lucrezia Borgia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucrezia...
J.X.'s new pet name for Kit (Mata Holmsi on page 233) made me grin. And Kit did use his best seductive tone, didn't he. ;) Also the admirable speed with which J.X. strips his clothes is always highly amusing. And the way Kit admires J.X.'s naked beauty is touching. This time Kit makes a new kind of observation (page 234):
Naked, he was beautiful to behold. Flushed, aroused, golden. Part of that beauty, though, was the longing in his eyes. No one had ever looked at me like that. As though I mattered more than anything else. It was salve to my wounded ego, but it was a weight on my heart too. How did anyone live up to that?
Oh, Kit. We sure hope that Josh will kick some sense into you in H&M #3... What was the Oscar Wilde quote Emanuela wrote on the General News topic last week? Hmmm... here it is: "Never love anyone who treats you like you're ordinary."
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
All She Wrote (other topics)The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks (other topics)
Come Unto These Yellow Sands (other topics)
Lone Star (other topics)
Fair Game (other topics)
More...
We are reading chapters 19-24 during the fourth week of October (Oct 22 - Oct 31), but you are welcome to join the discussion at any time!
The October discussion is split in four topics (four weeks, six chapters each) to make the reading schedule more flexible for everyone. This way anyone can join any of these topics whenever they have time to read the chapters in question:
October 2012, week 1 (chapters 1-6)
October 2012, week 2 (chapters 7-12)
October 2012, week 3 (chapters 13-18)
October 2012, week 4 (chapters 19-24)
Those of you who are able to read the book at the same pace with others are welcome to comment the day you read the chapter(s) or at the end of each week.
Enjoy! :)