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Monthly Book Discussion Library > June Book Discussion - Whiskey Sour (Jack Daniels Mystery#1) by J.A. Konrath (SPOILER ZONE)

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message 1: by Sandra (new)

Sandra Hoover (sandrahoover) | 11223 comments Mod
Whiskey Sour by J.A. Konrath is the winner of our June Book of the Month Poll. Please feel free to join in our read & discussion of this book. This will become a Spoiler Zone on 6/15/15.

Lieutenant Jacqueline 'Jack' Daniels is having a bad week. Her live-in boyfriend has left her for his personal trainer, chronic insomnia has caused her to max out her credit cards with late-night home shopping purchases, and a frightening killer who calls himself 'The Gingerbread Man' is dumping mutilated bodies in her district. Between avoiding the FBI and its moronic profiling computer, joining a dating service, mixing it up with street thugs, and parrying the advances of an uncouth PI, Jack and her binge-eating partner, Herb, must catch the maniac before he kills again....and Jack is next on his murder list. Whiskey Sour is full of laugh-out-loud humor and edge-of-your-seat suspense, and it introduces a fun, fully drawn heroine in the grand tradition of Kinsey Millhone, Stephanie Plum, and Kay Scarpetta.


message 2: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
I read this book (audio version) a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. In Death fans will probably like it, too. Don't know why I didn't get back to the series but it's one still on my list.


Cindy (BKind2Books) (bkind2books) | 189 comments I'm about halfway through - like Jack Daniels. She is snarky and fun - I see her as a cross between Stephanie Plum and Eve (with Roarke).


message 4: by Sandra (new)

Sandra Hoover (sandrahoover) | 11223 comments Mod
I love snarky heroines! I haven't started this one yet...really behind schedule lately.


message 5: by Jonetta (last edited Jun 08, 2015 07:46PM) (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
I remember when reading this thinking there was something sort of tragic about Jack in the same way it was early on with Eve.


Cindy (BKind2Books) (bkind2books) | 189 comments This was a fun read! I finished this one quickly. My review:

This was a new author for me and I liked this novel, the beginning of the Jack Daniels series. The main character has the same name as my favorite bourbon: Jack, short for Jacqueline, Daniels is a police lieutenant who is tasked with bringing down the Gingerbread Man. She is a snarky, insomniac cop with a mental and physical toughness very much reminiscent of Eve Dallas (sadly, she has no Roarke in her life, so far). The serial killer is a very nasty psychopath and a worthy adversary for Jack. This was a very quick read and I will definitely be looking for more in this series.


message 7: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
Glad you enjoyed, Cindy! Everyone could use a Roarke:)


Cindy (BKind2Books) (bkind2books) | 189 comments Jonetta wrote: "Glad you enjoyed, Cindy! Everyone could use a Roarke:)"

Yes, he's in my top 3 Book Boyfriends (and the #1 Irishman) - my other 2 are Jean-Claude and Jamie Fraser.


message 9: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
Yep! Jamie's on my list, too:)


message 10: by Susan (new)

Susan (cruelshoes) | 573 comments finished and on my second book of the series. I liked this book because even though the murders are horrific it is off set with the humor.


message 11: by Sheri (new)

Sheri Morell (smorell22) | 2165 comments I am about half way thru and I really like Jack. and I just have to say without giving anything away, the FBI profiler's are cracking me up.


message 12: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
Susan wrote: "finished and on my second book of the series. I liked this book because even though the murders are horrific it is off set with the humor."

I thought it was a pretty good balance of mystery and wry humor. You're so right about the murders being horrific.

Wonder why we feel the need to give serial killers a name?


message 13: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
Sheri wrote: "I am about half way thru and I really like Jack. and I just have to say without giving anything away, the FBI profiler's are cracking me up."

I really like Jack, too.


message 14: by Vera (new)

Vera M. | 446 comments Finished this. I do really like Jack and the parts of the book following her. The killer parts struck me as just too graphic and that content put my on the verge of putting the book down.
FBI profilers were a crack up and her partner had me laughing.


message 15: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
The murders are truly graphic but it's what I'm used to these days given the authors I read so it didn't bother me so much.

It was unusual, though, to see FBI profilers depicted this way as they tend to be the most elite in this area. I can't recall another book I've read where they've appeared so inept.


message 16: by Sheri (new)

Sheri Morell (smorell22) | 2165 comments I haven't either Jonetta. Usually the FBI are smart. But it did have me LOL on many occasions.


message 17: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
What did you think of Jack?


message 18: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
Oh! I found out last week that the narrators of this book are married! I particularly liked the use of a male and female for the audio performance. Dick Hill narrates Connelly's Harry Bosch series (love it) so he fit well for me. Susie Breck just plain sounded the way I thought Jack would so I was pleased.


message 19: by Sheri (new)

Sheri Morell (smorell22) | 2165 comments I liked her. I liked her personality. and I liked the relationship between her and her partner Herb. Now he is a interesting Character lol.


message 20: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
I thought she was a really good detective and liked her a lot. Though, she did make some blunders that weren't representative of her experience.


message 21: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
***SPOILER ZONE BEYOND THIS POST***

As it's the middle of the month, let's go ahead and make this discussion a spoiler zone. If you haven't finished the book, be careful beyond this point.


message 22: by Sheri (new)

Sheri Morell (smorell22) | 2165 comments I do agree Jonetta


message 23: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
That's a great idea MsG! I used to love that drink as it was very popular many years ago.


message 24: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
MsG wrote: "Jack's Dear Jack letter from her live-in lover at the beginning of the book was so absurd that it was hilarious. The letter sort of set the tone for her life at that time. Double Whiskey Sour ple..."

Oh, that letter was mean! I thought at the time she should have seen some signs. And the nerve to ask her to pack up his things. Yeah, I'd've done that...

Whiskey Sour Recipe
1 1/2 oz. Whiskey
1 1/2 oz. sour mix

Shake well with ice and pour into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with cherry and orange slice.


message 25: by Jonetta (last edited Jun 16, 2015 05:53PM) (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
The author said his goal was three fold for this book:

1. He wanted the snappy banter and fun comraderie of his favorite comedic mysteries;
2. He wanted to counter that with the frightening thrills that make the reader want to turn on all the lights; and,
3. The end result would be a laugh-out-loud, scare your pants off, quick summer beach read with characters people wanted to see more of.

Did he accomplish this here?


message 26: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
MsG wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "MsG wrote: "Jack's Dear Jack letter from her live-in lover at the beginning of the book was so absurd that it was hilarious. The letter sort of set the tone for her life at that ti..."

I'm gonna make this drink on the weekend!


message 27: by Susan (new)

Susan (cruelshoes) | 573 comments my parents being of the time when you had cocktail hour every night before dinner and Whiskey sour was definitely on the list of cocktails they would make along with all the other drinks that are named in these books. Made me think of my parents when I looked at these books. I have finished and the author for me definitely got me laughing with the banter among the FBI and Jack and her partner.


message 28: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) Jonetta wrote: "Oh! I found out last week that the narrators of this book are married! I particularly liked the use of a male and female for the audio performance. Dick Hill narrates Connelly's Harry Bosch series ..."

That is so cool!!

I'm listening to it too. I just started it. I lucked out and they have it as part of the Kindle Unlimited library.

I agree that Jack has a lot in common with Eve (except she seems to care more about her appearance). Like the In Death books, it seems to complement the dark deeds that are investigate with a great sense of humor.


message 29: by Sandy (new)

Sandy | 189 comments I loved the Jack Daniels series! Herb and Jack make a great pair and I love the discussions with the fbi guys. Although graphic, the books are well written. I have read a number of them and couldn't put them down.


message 30: by Jonetta (new)

Jonetta (ejaygirl) | 15068 comments Mod
I liked the rapport between Jack and Herb, too.


message 31: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) The first appearance of the "feebies" is so funny! It's quite a counterpoint to the chapters with the Gingerbread Man. The whole business with the chocolates is giving me the creeps.


message 32: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) I was wondering if anyone else noticed a similarity in murder "styles" between the Gingerbread Killer and the killer in Blindsighted? It's not lessening my enjoyment any. I really like the "voice" of this book.


message 33: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) I loved this book. Thanks for introducing me to it. Can't wait to read the next book.


message 34: by Mary Beth (new)

Mary Beth  | 180 comments I read this book this month and loved it! I found it very gruesome and horrifying. The Gingerbread Man kept me in suspense. It was really humorous in some parts also. I am reading this series as a buddy read.


message 35: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) Glad you enjoyed it. Can't wait to join in with book #2 in October.


message 36: by Mary Beth (new)

Mary Beth  | 180 comments Me too! I am really looking forward to it! I think we may be reading it Oct.1st. Not sure about that though, I am flexible on the date though.


message 37: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1131 comments Mary wrote: "Me too! I am really looking forward to it! I think we may be reading it Oct.1st. Not sure about that though, I am flexible on the date though."

I've read the first two in the series. Will be happy to join in the Buddy Read from book #3.


message 38: by Mary Beth (new)

Mary Beth  | 180 comments Lauren I just saw your comment and I just finished book 2 and loved it. Would love for you to join in book 3. We will be reading this next month.


message 39: by Sandy (new)

Sandy | 189 comments Cindy wrote: "I'm about halfway through - like Jack Daniels. She is snarky and fun - I see her as a cross between Stephanie Plum and Eve (with Roarke)."

That is a good description of her - I totally agree. I am on book 5 of the series but would like to read it with you all...let me know when you get there. In the meantime I will lurk on these threads. lol


message 40: by Mary Beth (last edited Oct 17, 2016 07:42PM) (new)

Mary Beth  | 180 comments No we read it in another group but we can always use this thread or
make a thread for the third book and anyone can join us the more the merrier. We can all decide when we want to read it next month.


message 41: by Agnieszka (new)

Agnieszka (agnieszka7) | 259 comments What Mary is refering to is the discussion thread in the Good Thriller group and we would be happy if you would join as well :-)


message 42: by Mary Beth (new)

Mary Beth  | 180 comments No Agniezska that is not what I was referring to. I dont like moving people to another group for a buddy read. We can discuss it here and you and I can buddy read it in the other group. Lauren asked Kirsten ane I if she could join us for book 3. Lauren doesnt belong in a Good Thriller group and might not want to join so I thought we can discuss it here also.


message 43: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1131 comments Thanks Mary.

I'm OK with joining the Good Thriller Group if it makes it easier. I'm always up for a thrilling read, lol!


message 44: by Agnieszka (new)

Agnieszka (agnieszka7) | 259 comments Mary wrote: "No Agniezska that is not what I was referring to. I dont like moving people to another group for a buddy read. We can discuss it here and you and I can buddy read it in the other group. Lauren aske..."

Sorry wasn't are you are discussing the same book in two groups!


message 45: by Sandy (new)

Sandy | 189 comments I am also good with joining the other group! I love thrillers and it is very hard to find active groups.


message 46: by Mary Beth (new)

Mary Beth  | 180 comments Well Cool then. We will discuss it in the A Good Thriller group. Now all we have to do is come up with a date. When is a good time for everyone, next month.


message 47: by Kirsten (new)

Kirsten  (kmcripn) I'm nearly done with book #2! Loving it. Can't wait to read book #3 next month. Don't care where I discuss it!!


message 48: by Mary Beth (new)

Mary Beth  | 180 comments Kirsten Book 2 is fantastic! I didnt think that I would love book 2 as much as book 1. I am really looking forward then to reading book 3.


message 49: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1131 comments OK. I've joined the Good Thrillers group and am looking forward to the discussion of book #3.
Are you continuing it in the same thread or will there be a new one?


message 50: by Mary Beth (new)

Mary Beth  | 180 comments Lauren I will make a thread and it will be in the same section where the second book was. I will probably make the thread when everyone decides to read it. I am flexible. Glad that you joined the group!


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