Fear the Worst Chapters 1-12 (SPOILER ALERT)

[Debra]

Put your comments regarding chapters 1-12 here.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

I'm in! Book is ordered. Sounds creepy.

[Josée Leon]

Starting this book... right now!

[Debra]

I started yesterday, but didn't get far because I had to go to sleep.

Mad at the father's manager at the dealership. She's such a witch!

I think there is something fishy about the kid that delivers the flowers for the flower shop. He only took a quick glance at the picture the father showed him. Is he hiding something? Hmmmmmm....

Back to the book...

[Ann]

I just finished chapter twelve. The one sided perception we have so far of Sydney from mostly only Tim's perspective and a small amount from her mother, is adding to my sense of curiosity.
I agree, Debra - the delivery kid from the flower shop is suspicious and I don't think we can eliminate Evan (Bob;s son) either.

[Debra]

Hadn't thought about Evan, but I've not read to chapter 12, yet. Will keep a suspicious eye out! lol

[Debra]

Amusing moment when Jeff (Patty's friend) gives Tim the keys to a Honda he was sitting in, thinking they were keys someone lost. Just like the woman who couldn't make her mind up about which car to buy and kept giving Tim the runaround.

Like the underlying humor in the book, even though the subject matter is very sober.

[Debra]

Finished the 1st 12 chapters. I agree something odd is going on with Evan. Intrigued by the weirdness going on with the Seattle tip. She's out there, but where? Or was that an OLD pic of her before she disappeared?

[Ann]

Debra: Re Seattle. It appears someone is messing with Tim. The question of who seems to include the possibility of Sydney. I don't want to believe that, but feel we can't discount it.

[Debra]

Wonder what she is up to. Doesn't seem like she's dead; it's more complicated than that.

[April]

I just started reading the book. I'm not reading very much lately because I lost my "story time" buddy (my dog, Romeo) and I am finding it very difficult to concentrate without him. I have read through chapter 2. Right away I noticed the strong voice of the author and the believability of the main character. I am predicting this to be a good read! Probably a quick read if Romeo were here! This is first book I will be reading by Linwood Barclay. I think I'm going to like him!

[Ann]

April: My condolences on the loss of your reading buddy, Romeo. This is my first book by Linwood Barclay too. I will have to get moving on the next chapters, my Kindle library loan expires on the twenty-fourth.

[Debra]

April, you know I know hoe you are feeling right now. I miss my reading buddy, too. Hang in there, hon. Hugs!

This is my first Barclay, too. I'm liking the ride!

[Josée Leon]

This is my first Barclay book as well. I find he pales in comparison to Stephen King but I am nevertheless enjoying the book including the bits of humour thrown in and am happy to be reading something from a local author (Toronto)!
It's bugging me that Tim didn't question Patty about the bits of conversation he overheard Syd having with her about switching jobs because she was getting paid under the table (at the very beginning of the book). Patty must surely know then where Syd was working. She must be hiding something.

And what's with that van? And the fake Seattle lead? I have no clue what's going on... Must read on!

[Debra]

Lol, Josee. Yes, you must read on. There are certainly a lot of fishy things going on! Not everyone is revealing everything they know.

Sure doesn't compare to King, but very little does. When I find something, that's when I give out a 5-star rating!

[Josée Leon]

Yes, I'm very stingy with my 5 stars :)

[Debra]

Me too!

[Tracy]

It's my first Barclay book as well. I just finished chapter 12 and agree that Evan and the flower shop guy are very suspicious. I keep wondering if I am missing little clues along the way. The van, the Seattle woman and some of Tim's co-workers all have a certain degree of mystery, also the car being found in the same area as the manure guy has me thinking. I expect some aha moments as I get closer to the end.

[Debra]

Read on, Tracy! You've got the feel for it, now. More surprises ahead!

[Almeta, co-moderator]

I am suspicious of practically everyone, if not because of Sydney’s disappearance, then for their own agenda.

Sydney’s Versace sunglasses were niggling at Tim; they were niggling at me too. Kinda up-scale for a seventeen year old.

Does Veronica at the Just Inn Time hotel have designs on Tim?

Now that I know about the Triple X Delights, could a patron of the store have something to do with the missing Sydney’s whereabouts? (Including Bert, who would have known her from the car lot.)

The kid and his aunt from the flower shop next door knows something. Ian didn't really look at the photograph.

Randall Tripe’s name dropped as a “flesh peddler”, etc. What does this have to do with Sydney?

Patty , the best friend, really didn’t seem to be covering anything up. Does she know something?

Yolanda Mills at the shelter, what’s her angle. I don’t think I believe she saw Sydney.

Yep, Kate is crazy but nice!!! Just like Sydney has said.

Did the guy steal the Ridgeline from the showroom when Tim went off with the officer, Jennings?

And Really? Who do you think took the watch and cash from Susanne’s purse? Did you ask the son, Evan? I’m probably not wrong in suspecting him.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

No one can be as irritating to a car salesman as “good shoppers”, Lorna and Dell. I wouldn’t be able to resist kicking them in the butt and out of the showroom door.

Although always in the background, I am just beginning to notice, and enjoy, more and more, Tim's sarcastic sense of humor.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

Now that I've posted my thoughts to this point, and have gone back to read what others are saying, I see that we all have had similar ideas.

Well must read on to see if we are on the right track!

I'm enjoying this read so far.

[Josée Leon]

Lots of questions to be answered for sure! I'm now at Chapter 36 and some of those questions have been answered... somewhat.
I thought the bit with Lorna and Dell pretty comical :)

[Debra]

Almeta wrote: "No one can be as irritating to a car salesman as “good shoppers”, Lorna and Dell. I wouldn’t be able to resist kicking them in the butt and out of the showroom door.

Although always in the backgr..."

There's an homage to Lorna later on when Jeff visits the dealership.

I enjoy all you comments, Almeta, but can't comment without giving too much away. I know you've read on. Enjoy!

[April]

I really enjoy Barclay's voice. He write is a way that gives me the impression he he actually speaking to me. From the start, I feel I know Tim. I enjoy Tim's personality and the bit of humor. The poor guy! I feel so sorry for him. even before Sydney vanished, he seemed to be unhappy. Everyone in this story is under my suspicion! Have the police questioned Patty? I think she is getting off a bit easy. I know she knows much more than she claims. Girlfriends share EVERYTHING!

[Josée Leon]

Maybe you're right and maybe you're not April.... he he
Read on...

[April]

Josee wrote: "Maybe you're right and maybe you're not April.... he he
Read on..."

Awwww, Josee, you're such a tease! :)

[Almeta, co-moderator]

April wrote: " Have the police questioned Patty? I think she is getting off a bit easy. I know she knows much more than she claims. Girlfriends share EVERYTHING! ..."

Most teenaged girls wouldn't be caught dead hanging around an adult as much as she does. What's up with her?

[April]

Exactly, Almeta. Although, at first, I thought it was because she looked at Tim as a father figure.

[Almeta, co-moderator]

April wrote: "Exactly, Almeta. Although, at first, I thought it was because she looked at Tim as a father figure."

Hmmm. Interesting observation.

[Josée Leon]

Lol

[Debra]

Almeta wrote: "April wrote: " Have the police questioned Patty? I think she is getting off a bit easy. I know she knows much more than she claims. Girlfriends share EVERYTHING! ..."

Most teenaged girls wouldn't be caught dead hanging around an adult as much as she does. What's up with her? ..."

Good point, Almeta. The only adults I liked were a few of my teachers, but it's not like I wanted to hang out with them. But without giving something away, I can't say more about why Patty wanted to hang out with Tim.

[Debra]

In actually, I just realized King hadn't READ this book before recommending it. He recommended Linwood Barclay in general, so I'm going to read more by him. Here's what King said for the August 2011 EW Summer Reading list: "I haven't read it, but after ripping through two previous Barclay novels, I can't wait. (It hits stores Aug. 9.) Listen, anyone who can make a car salesman the hero of a suspense novel, Fear the Worst, gets my vote."

[Linda]

I think the reason Patty is hanging out with Tim is because she is missing Sydney and plus her home life is basically non existent and Sydney's is more stable -even though Syd's parents are divorced.

I totally picked up that Veronica has the hots for Tim, before he rented the room.

An odd thing for me, Tim said that he saw Syd's car in the parking lot of the hotel on several occassions while passing thru going to the dealership, why wouldn't the office of the hotel say something about that. Surely the car hung out there all day and why didn't someone at the hotel see Syd, even if she didn't work there.

I also don't get a good vibe about Evan, or Bob - his dad, I think Bob is covering for his son.

And the flower delivery guy - he is creepy to me - something is up with him.

I think I am somewhere around chapter 14 or 15 - going to read more......

[Almeta, co-moderator]

Weirdly, I thought Veronica was more creepy than any other character. Well maybe...the flower delivery guy!

Linda, your perceptions reflect what most of us have commented on as well. You have a lot more twists to look forward to.☻

[Linda]

The flower delivery guy - very creepy..... LOL!!!

[Debra]

Definitely creepy. More fun ahead for you, Linda!