Buddy Read ...

[Ami]

Book is out at Loose ID (and with that, the official blurb, which is not different with the unofficial one *lol*). Based on their recent practice, hopefully the book will be available on Wednesday-Thursday, US time at ARe.

[R.B.]

Have fun :D

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

Thanks RB, I'm waiting on ARe.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Have fun guys! I hope you all LOVE it! :)

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Have fun guys! I hope you all LOVE it! :)"

Thanks, so do I. :)

[Angelica]

I'm I late? I want in!!

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

Angelica wrote: "I'm I late? I want in!!"

Not late, some of us haven't bought it yet, waiting for it to get to ARe.
So come on and join in. :)

[Angelica]

Thanks!

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

Angelica wrote: "Thanks!"

:D

[E]

Omg I just finished it. I couldn't wait, sorry. ZAM is in excellent form... LOVED it. Can't wait to discuss it!

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

Erika wrote: "Omg I just finished it. I couldn't wait, sorry. ZAM is in excellent form... LOVED it. Can't wait to discuss it!"

Good grief, I haven't even bought it yet, I'm behind before I begin! LOL

[Ami]

Mandy*reads obsessively* wrote: "Good grief, I haven't even bought it yet, I'm behind before I begin! LOL ..."

Me too!! I'm still waiting for it to be available at ARe *lol*

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

Ami wrote: "Mandy*reads obsessively* wrote: "Good grief, I haven't even bought it yet, I'm behind before I begin! LOL ..."

Me too!! I'm still waiting for it to be available at ARe *lol*"

The story of my life..always trying to catch up! LOL

[Anke]

I'm waiting as well, I have a free book that I want to use.

[Sun]

I've got 9 of my 10 books before my freebie on ARe, so I HAVE to wait for it to be released there! ha! (selfish, greedy bizznatch. <-me) :)

[Adrianamae]

lol, tons of us waiting on ARe. I so need a good book!

[E]

Lol sorry! It's not all that long and I (sadly) read very fast. Sighhhh.

[Candice]

Good, I thought I was going to be late also.

[Vio]

I haven't got to it either.

[Adrianamae]

I just got it from ARe. It's out!

[Anke]

Got it! Will start later :)

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

I'm going to let the dog take me for a walk then I'll get on it. :)

[Gigi]

30% done - I hope I am just tired, because the book is failing to hold my attention. Bedtime for me!

[Ami]

Just going to buy it. Will continue with my comment later...

[unchatnoir]

I've just started. Seems intriguing...

[Adrianamae]

I'm loving this couple.

[unchatnoir]

OK, this bidding for crime scene cleaning services is not a real thing right? How horrible is that? I would punch those guys in the face.

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

unchatnoir wrote: "OK, this bidding for crime scene cleaning services is not a real thing right? How horrible is that? I would punch those guys in the face."

I haven't started yet, but I do know a lady that had a crime scene clean up company in CA in the 90's.
the police weren't allowed to rec anyone but they were in the yellow pages and earned good money.

[unchatnoir]

From what I understand (I googled it) it is a very lucrative business. But in the book these guys (view spoiler)[ just show up at a crime scene and try to outbid each other right after the incident. That's just bad form. And creepy. (hide spoiler)]

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

unchatnoir wrote: "From what I understand (I googled it) it is a very lucrative business. But in the book these guys [spoilers removed]"

I can very much see that happening. Where money is to be made, decency sometimes takes a back seat, unfortunately.

[Nic]

Ok, I've got it! But.....can't start reading till tomorrow as I need to finish up a few things first. Maybe if I just hurry.....

[Nic]

Mandy*reads obsessively* wrote: "unchatnoir wrote: "OK, this bidding for crime scene cleaning services is not a real thing right? How horrible is that? I would punch those guys in the face."

I haven't started yet, but I do know a..."

I've seen this on one of those crime shows, maybe CSI? It was pretty gross!

[Ami]

unchatnoir wrote: "From what I understand (I googled it) it is a very lucrative business. But in the book these guys [spoilers removed]"

Like Mandy said, sadly, I can see it too. If it's a lucrative business, well the key word here is business. Of course they will try to anything to get the job.

I also Googled it and found this information:

"Some companies "short bid" to get the job,or Leave the Biohazard Disposal off and surprise you with a big bill at the end."

(from http://bexar-county-medical-examiner....)

So I guess bidding CAN happen.

By the way, I actually find the job of the MC to be really intriguing! I am only on 11% though.

[unchatnoir]

Yes, I think it is intriguing too, albeit a little disturbing. It also has an emotional aspect, like running a funeral home maybe. I'm in the beginning too, we'll see what happens next.

[Sun]

I lived for a few years in the EXACT neighborhoods that this story takes place! ha!

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

Susan wrote: "I lived for a few years in the EXACT neighborhoods that this story takes place! ha!"

Spookily cool.

[Ami]

How're you feeling for the story, Susan? Since this is your first ZAM?

[Sun]

Ami wrote: "How're you feeling for the story, Susan? Since this is your first ZAM?"

I like it. One thing that I'm finding odd...I don't think that, other than Nick/Ryan, there have been any physical descriptions of the characters. Did I miss it? Usually I have a picture of each in my head. But I have no idea what Jack (or Dave or Gabe) look like...not even hair color.

Unless I overlooked it...

[unchatnoir]

Actually, I think Jack describes himself somewhere in the beginning. I'll check...
---
Here's what she wrote about Jack: "His buzzed-off hair and hollow, nondescript brown eyes gave him the look of someone who’d seen some seriously hard times..."

[Ami]

I just passed 50% mark... Despite the possibility of this being very bleak and angsty, I am really surprised that I don't feel like that at all. Like it is complicated but normal, with all the people surrounding both men, including the likes of Gabe, Dave, and even the cat. I love this, it feels different!!

And, I don't think this is spoilery but I will put it under spoiler tag anyway (view spoiler)[the part where Jack and Ryan systematically cleaned the scene was really REALLY good! And I keep thinking, wow, there are people who do this thing and I find them amazing, because if not for them, how can people live in places that used to be crime scenes? (hide spoiler)]

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

I'm still only at 5% RL is kicking my behind today!

[Sun]

Does ZAM usually write angsty?

I agree, Ami...I'm at the same point in the book and I'm kinda loving the sweetness of the connection.

Question: for those past the initial clean up (view spoiler)[Do you think Gabe has feelings for Dave? At the jazz bar, he was acting odd and cutoff when he was talking about Dave. Not sure if it was just concern for Jack or if he has feelings himself (hide spoiler)]

[Sun]

unchatnoir wrote: "Actually, I think Jack describes himself somewhere in the beginning. I'll check...
---
Here's what she wrote about Jack: "His buzzed-off hair and hollow, nondescript brown eyes gave him the look of..."

Yeah, I remember that. But no haircolor. No eyecolor. No height. Nothing for me to get a sense of how to picture him. I noticed it about all the characters except Nick & Ryan...but even then, not much.

[Ami]

In Chapter 5, Gabe is said to have curly brown hair and shared hair color, skin tone, height, and built as Jack. Dave's eyes will be golden (since his mom is said to have "eyes just like Dave's, golden and warm).

[unchatnoir]

Ami wrote: "I just passed 50% mark... Despite the possibility of this being very bleak and angsty, I am really surprised that I don't feel like that at all. Like it is complicated but normal, with all the peop..."

Yes, definitely! In the hands of another author this could turn into an angst fest but that's ZAM for you. Gotta love her :)

[unchatnoir]

Susan wrote: "Does ZAM usually write angsty?

I agree, Ami...I'm at the same point in the book and I'm kinda loving the sweetness of the connection.

Question: for those past the initial clean up [spoilers remo..."

I thought this as well but then the dialogue indicated that (view spoiler)[ he was just worried Jack was involved with another closeted guy. I guess we'll see. Maybe a sequel? (hide spoiler)]

[Gigi]

ZAM certainly knows how to write a nasty, delicious sex scene! *fans self*

[Gigi]

I'm at 87% Ugggg!!!! The relationship between Jack and Dave makes me SO UNCOMFORTABLE!!!!!!! (view spoiler)[It feels too much like a love triangle for my comfort at this point. I sure hope the last 13% of the book resolves this! (hide spoiler)]

[Gigi]

The poem: (view spoiler)[You Come Too

The Pasture
by Robert Frost

I'm going out to clean the pasture spring; I'll only stop to rake the leaves away (And wait to watch the clear water, I may): I shan't be gone long - You come too.

I'm going out to fetch the little calf That's standing by the mother. It's too young, It totters when she licks it with her tongue. I shan't be gone long - You come too. (hide spoiler)]

[Gigi]

Well, I'm all done! I am super excited to hear how you all like the story. Me? Something was way off about it. I didn't dislike the book, but I didn't like it either. I might have even stopped reading it if this wasn't a buddy read. I will need to think this one over before I write a review. I haven't put my finger on it yet, but off the top of my head, Dave is going to be a big part of it.