J.D. Robb discussion
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The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann (Troubleshooters #1) - January 2016 (Spoiler Zone)
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Jonetta wrote: "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 ..."Ah, that explains things then!
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Jonetta wrote: "It was distracting to me when I first read this story. By the end, it all makes sense and I had a better appreciation for her trying to establish a multi generational story. But at the time, I just wanted the pace to be faster. "I did want things to move faster. I don't like it when plots are interrupted by subplots that seem superfluous. I'm not saying it was, because it did add in some important elements, but I thought it could have been done without so much detailing. I think I'm the type of reader (at least when it comes to this genre) that just wants plots a little more focused. I don't enjoy the jumping around a lot of the time.
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That is interesting. I personally never categorized this series as Romantic Suspense. I always felt it was Contemporary Romance with military action stuff as the plot backdrop.
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LOL Jo...I can understand that! I'm just a fan of well written sub-plots (one reason I love BDB!) and I found this one to be well-written. I cannot imagine the story without the backstory. And the flipping back & forth didn't bother me...I found myself actually looking forward to when I would get to the Joe/Charles past part...it was just intriguing and it was the foundation for their relationship throughout the rest of their lives, which affected the other relationships of those around them (like Tom/Kelly). I do agree that the action was a little slower in this book than some others I've read for sure, but that wasn't due to the backstory for me.
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Sandra, I have read books where I'm eager for the subplot to come up as well. Lately, this has not been the case for me so maybe my tastes have changed as a reader. I just wanted the WW2 stuff to be done and get back to Tom and Kelly. Oddly, I like the David and Mallory storyline too. Maybe because I didn't feel like it took up so much time.
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Jewels, it just might be it wasn't all that interesting for you.
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As readers, we are all alike in many ways...but we're also all different. What makes a book good for one reader, may be what spoils it for another. I think it's a great thing for authors that readers are very diverse in what they like to read.
I find sub-plots keep my mind busy...keep my attention riveted on the story...as long as they're well-written & woven into the storyline in an intricate way, often tying things together. I have read books where the subplot made no sense also, but this one seemed vital to me.
Jonetta wrote: "It's very definitely RS later in the series. Those ops are incredible."I do agree that it felt like there was a real tonal shift in the series after book six. The first bunch of books just felt like the action was being driven by soldiers being called upon to do their duty. But I never got the sense of menace or suspense or jeopardy to the main characters that I get when I read a book that I more typically think of as RS.
But yeah I think around Flashpoint when the team (view spoiler) then it really does feel more like RS.
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And that's where the subplots make a difference. For me, that sense came after book #2. By book #4, it gelled. Brockmann sets up later characters' stories in earlier books so I never limited that suspense factor to just the main characters. I guess that's just a difference in perspectives about the genre, too.
Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Jewels ♥ My Devastating Reads wrote: "Sandra, I have read books where I'm eager for the subplot to come up as well. Lately, this has not been the case for me so maybe my tastes have changed as a re..."I have a feeling if I re-read this in a year or two, with no expectations, that my opinion of the story might change. I think I was coloured by all the things I've heard and painted a picture in my head of the book that it didn't meet.
But I agree, diversity is a great thing :D
Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I loved the solidarity of the team. There were no if, ands, or buts when Tom called for help. No one questioned his sanity - he asked them to come and they were on the way. I look forward to gettin..."I agree, Sandra. Their unity as a team was encouraging, especially at the beginning of a series like this.
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Jonetta wrote: "Agnieszka wrote: "What CR stands for? ..."Contemporary Romance."
Thanks.
Thinking of it you are right it's feeling more like CR with military story lines - but I love that kind of stuff :-)
Up to about three or four years ago I love everything historical - especially WWII - but either I read too much of those or my taste just changed and now I'm more struggling with this topic.
I'm sure being Polish and living in Germany could play also into it - especially if you learn only now the true of the Russian part of the involvment which was more or less secret or even changed into oposite. Relerning the history three times and seeing there is so much grave injustice throughout history just made me really sceptical and sarcastic and I'm no more looking so close into why it all happened. I have the feeling I'm right now pretty tired of it all and hope it will change again.
I haven't heard of the new truth of Russia in WW2...
Jewels ♥ My Devastating Reads wrote: "I haven't heard of the new truth of Russia in WW2..."It'n nothing really new but when you grew up under communism and Russia was the big Hero and Liberator it was unthincable to spead about the Russian war crimes (e.g. Katyn, Stalin, Russias help to finish the war in Poland because Poland was attacked from east two weeks after Hitler's attack from west) stuff I only learned after the break down of communism. And when we moved to Germany I had to learn to was even slightly different. Before I was 15 I was so confused and tried to understand and read everything I got into my fingers until I gave up completely. I fear every country has it's own POV and way of interpret what happened in the past.
The European history was not an easy one I would it call even traumatic to most of the people living there. The borders changed so often and if you look deep enough you'll find a historical proof for almost every claim.
One example Poland as country ceased to existed from the European landscape for almost 200 years on the other side Poland was one of the biggest countries in Europe about 2oo years before that happened. Most Polish have still big issues with Germans and Russians because of history as well as many German, eastern Russian and most of the people of the small European countries south of Poland have issues with Polish.
On contrary we still love Italian, British, American and French and most Italian and Irish love the Polish + the Polish language has more influence from Italian apart from the other Slavic/Slavonian (not sure which is the correct one) languages :-)
Ah yes, I understand now. I'd forgotten that Poland had been communist. Of course the history you learned in school is probably very different than what I did living in Canada. You're right though, history is a sticky thing. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series even though this first book was not what I expected.
Loriidae wrote: "Q2... On spotting "The Merchant" at the airport. I think the phrase "..turning to hoist it (the bag) up onto his shoulder in a strange twisting move..." is the key. Tom has watched and re-watched a..."I agree with you; Tom knew who and what he saw.
Jonetta wrote: "I thought it was risky for him to do but it told me a lot about Tom and his level of integrity. No matter if it was a delusion, he had to put his career on the line in the event it wasn't a delusion."I agree, Jonetta. Tom cared more about getting at the truth and risk if he was right than he did about whether people thought he'd lost it. Truly a man with integrity....
Agnieszka wrote: "Jewels ♥ My Devastating Reads wrote: "I haven't heard of the new truth of Russia in WW2..."It'n nothing really new but when you grew up under communism and Russia was the big Hero and Liberator i..."
Thanks for telling us something about your personal and national history, Agnieszka. I have a good friend who grew up in East Germany before the Wall came down. It's very interesting (and sad) to hear about living in an occupied land.
Thanks for all of you adding your comments and perspectives about the first book in this series. I've come to the discussion late and I've read through the fourth [or fifth] book and forced myself to stop until this group discussion gets there. I really enjoy reading with groups like this one!
Many thanks also to our discussion leaders. You give us good questions and keep us moving along. Cheers!
I just finished this book and really liked it! I've never read Suzanne Brockmann before this but I really liked her style with this book. I enjoyed the three stories she weaved together. I really liked Tom and Kelly and Mallory and David's stories. However, it was Charles, Joe and Cybele's story set during WWII that really had me sucked in. It was heartbreaking yet so believable. I am excited to keep reading this series.
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It was distracting to me when I first read this story. By the end, it all makes sense and I had a better appreciation for her trying to establish a multi generational story. But at the time, I just wanted the pace to be faster.