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The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann (Troubleshooters #1) - January 2016 (Spoiler Zone)
message 151:
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Maggie
(new)
Jan 23, 2016 12:49PM
I did not like the flashbacks at all, I found them to be the slowest parts of the story.
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Jonetta wrote: "Speaking of Charles...The sub-plot involving Joe and Charles during WWII...did you enjoy these flashbacks or find them distracting?"I liked the flashbacks to a degree, but I kept hurrying through those parts to get back to Tom & Kelly, Mallory & David. I liked knowing how Joe and Charles met. I'm actually surprised they were still friends when the war ended.
Mod
I didn't care for this particular flashback because I never saw the specialness of Cybele and I felt bad for Joe. But I like the idea it because it did relate to the bigger story. And like Jonetta says it makes it multi-generational not just because it is a romance albeit not an HEA one, but also because it also ties into the military theme of these stories. (view spoiler)
The first couple flashbacks I was enjoying that part of the story. After that I did feel like it slowed down and was more interested in the conclusion of it then the meat of that part.
Tina wrote: "I didn't care for this particular flashback because I never saw the specialness of Cybele and I felt bad for Joe. But I like the idea it because it did relate to the bigger story. And like Jonetta ..."I have to agree. Cybele - I don't know. I wanted to slap her more than once. I'm about 55% in now - and still don't have the whole story though.
OK. Tell me he DID NOT just say that.Gary smiled. "So it's purely physical. I can understand that. Use birth control, sweetheart, or it might become permanent."
What an ASS.
Glad I'm not the only one who didn't care for Cybele. I don't get what Charles and Joe saw in her that made them spend the rest of their lives pining over her; especially Joe who never fell in love again.
Maggie wrote: "Glad I'm not the only one who didn't care for Cybele. I don't get what Charles and Joe saw in her that made them spend the rest of their lives pining over her; especially Joe who never fell in love..."Oh come on. That's sure you're not the only one. I'm really glad I'm finished with her. And I second your view so completely :-)
Maggie wrote: "Glad I'm not the only one who didn't care for Cybele. I don't get what Charles and Joe saw in her that made them spend the rest of their lives pining over her; especially Joe who never fell in love..."Yes. I could get with the war and all that the falling in lust, but love and ruined for the rest of their life? nope dont buy it!
I feel like both Joe and Charles underestimated Cybele. I didn't care for her but I can see where her tragic story and noble, sacrificial nature might appeal to both men, making her a damsel-in-distress whereas she actually was motivated by her own tragic loss. In the end, I did not get the sense that either man really knew her, and she was rather two-dimensional as a character because the reader also never gets her viewpoint.
Emerson wrote: "I feel like both Joe and Charles underestimated Cybele. I didn't care for her but I can see where her tragic story and noble, sacrificial nature might appeal to both men, making her a damsel-in-dis..."I am about 70% in now (and may I say rather irritate with Kelly and Tom once again - "only sex". Aaarrrgh) so not quite to the end of the story with Cybele. But from what I can see Charles may have done some heroic things, but Joe was just as heroic, consistently, steadily over a number of years. I'm not sure why Cybele would focus on Charles - except maybe his going back in after the child. But.... Who knows. I will keep reading and see what I find out.
Mod
I think Mallory and David's story would have been a good stand alone book.
I was just thinking Mallory and David blew Kelly and Tom's relationship out of the water in just about all areas -maturity honesty sweetness and romance. D & k pretty much acted like children. Cybele and her crew haven't impressed me at all
OK I finished. I still like Mallory and David's relationship the best. I guess after all was said and done I think Cybele's relationship tried to come off as one of those doomed classic love affairs with unrequited love and tragedy. But both Charles and Joe had the chance to change that to a degree I think. Charles had a couple more failed marriages - obviously not learning much from his experience. But Joe's actions were more of a disappointment I think. Martyr comes to mind. Tom and Kelly - well I wasn't really too convinced by them even at the end. I'm hoping that if I continue the series I might find more about what they did end up doing?
Overall, I did like the book. I thought there were some interesting and compelling characters and the story line was intriguing.
So, if I may ask, who was the Unsung Hero? Charles? Joe? Cybele? Tom?
Penni wrote: "So, if I may ask, who was the Unsung Hero? Charles? Joe? Cybele? Tom?"All of them, except maybe for Joe who had the statue modeled after him. That was the root of the argument between him and Charles if I am not mistaken. Definitely Charles at the end for his role in dealing with the Merchant.
I agree also. All of them. Cybele for what she did at the end (among other things). Charles for the things he did including at the end. Joe, not because of what he got the medal for, but for what he SHOULD have gotten the medal for - all the things he did without fanfare all those years. And Tom for putting it all on the line no matter the cost.
Mod
Agree and well said!
Jonetta wrote: "There are three romances in this story. Which was your favorite: Tom & Kelly, Mallory& David, or the 1940's love triangle involving Joe, Cybele and Charles?"Mallory & David - no doubt here :-)
I have to agree with the consensus, Mallory And David's romance was the most interesting one to follow and the one in the end I felt the most happy with in the end.No shade to Tom and Kelly because I liked them both as characters, esp. Tom, but Mallory & David's romance seemed to have more of an emotional kick.
Mod
Jonetta wrote: "Speaking of Charles...The sub-plot involving Joe and Charles during WWII...did you enjoy these flashbacks or find them distracting?I found them very distracting to the extent that I would probably have discarded this series if I hadn't committed to reading for this group.
I became more reconciled to their necessity with the final scene with the boat, however I would have gotten the point of the flashbacks with far fewer details.
Jonnetta wrote: There are three romances in this story. Which was your favorite:...Mallory and David's romance was sweet, I really liked the idea of her finding happiness after a difficult childhood. I liked the geek getting the girl rather than the shallow surfer boy/sports jock.
Mod
Glad you stuck with it. I must admit this book is very different from the rest of the series. I'd wait until #2 before giving a final assessment.
Jonetta wrote: "Speaking of Charles...The sub-plot involving Joe and Charles during WWII...did you enjoy these flashbacks or find them distracting?"I enjoyed the flashbacks and the background they gave me. The glimpse of wartime France and resistance there is interesting, and the love of Joe and Charles for the tragic character of Cybele showed us more of the character of the two men.. Each was trying to handle the situation in an honorable way even while in the grip of a great passion. Charles failed to live up to his own standards and could not forgive himself.
Mod
The tension between Sam and Alyssa is palpable but since they are in it so briefly, I did not think too much of even Charles' observation the first time I read it. Jazz was an anchor, in a good way, for Tom. Very steady, dependable, unquestioning faith in his superior officer, intense loyalty. Someone who would put his career on the line for Tom. Alyssa was there with a bit of a chip on her shoulder and with something to prove, which also made her a bit of a wildcard. And despite his blunder at the end, I got the impression, Sam would learn from it.
Mod
I liked that they all dropped what they were doing and came to Tom's aide. And, even when he told them it might all be in his head they were there to support him and make sure that they can do all they can. I love books/movies like that when characters come together as a team :)
I agree Kris. Brockman shows us the solid base that has already been built within the team unit, but introduces Alyssa to shake up the status quo a little as well. A nice balance.
Kris - My Novelesque Life wrote: "I liked that they all dropped what they were doing and came to Tom's aide. And, even when he told them it might all be in his head they were there to support him and make sure that they can do all ..."So true!
Yes, Loriidae! I agree Alyssa was a good way to shake things up yet balance it out. Even with Mallory showing her stuff and keeping cool in an intense moment.
Mod
We hope you'll join us for the next book in the series, which is a bit more action oriented.
I finally finished the book. Going to go back over the discussion now. Add in my two cents if that's okay.
Mod
By the way, links to each discussion question are in message #1.
Jonetta wrote: "7. Speaking of Charles...The sub-plot involving Joe and Charles during WWII...did you enjoy these flashbacks or find them distracting?"I found them distracting. I don't mind a subplot, but we had two subplots in this novel, and this one seemed like the one too many if you follow my meaning. I'm not quite sure why the author chose to flesh out the Joe/Charles storyline so thoroughly. I think it could have been done with less detail and still added the needed elements to the story.
Jonetta wrote: "8. There are three romances in this story. Which was your favorite: Tom & Kelly, Mallory& David, or the 1940's love triangle involving Joe, Cybele and Charles?"Honestly, Mallory and David. I felt they had a true romance. I want to be able to say I enjoyed Kelly and Tom, but the romance got oddly stilted by the causal sex but we're in love angst and the two of them never quite jelled for me as a couple. I understand there were past issues, and that both were dealing with difficult problems in their life, but considering how much they cared about each other I expected a little more maturity from both of them.
Jewels ♥ My Devastating Reads wrote: "[...] I understand there were past issues, and that both were dealing with difficult problems in their life, but considering how much they cared about each other I expected a little more maturity from both of them. "LOL :-)
Oh, and I'm just going to add that this book never felt like RS to me, which is what I thought this series was? It read more like CR to me because most of the RS I've read has been more gripping and action packed. That's not to say I thought the novel was poorly done, because there was a lot that was well done but I was thrown by this a lot. Likely I went in with certain expectations and was disappointed when I got something different than what I thought I would.
Jewels ♥ My Devastating Reads wrote: "Oh, and I'm just going to add that this book never felt like RS to me, which is what I thought this series was? It read more like CR to me because most of the RS I've read has been more gripping an..."What CR stands for?
Mod
Good observation. By #3, this is clearly RS and so exciting from a suspense standpoint it will be hard to compare it to this book.
FYI, up until this series, Brockmann was writing LOTS of contemporary romance. This book was her debut into the genre. You could see her tentativeness here, I think.
Mod
Contemporary Romance.
