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Readalong and Q&A with Susan Fleet - Absolution
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Janet wrote: "I started reading this last night and for some who isn't really info 'noir' per se, I'm quite liking the style of this. I'm avoiding previous comments for risk of spoilers and will say what I think..."We will all look forward to your comments. Yes, it's noir, but I try and add a bit of humor now and then. :)
Betsy wrote: "Susan, You did a good job w/ Maureen , IMO, showing the conflict that goes on w/in kids of divorce, even older ones like Maureen. Yes, she loved both her mother and father. Obviously, her mother wa..."I totally agree with you, Betsy. Re: Dana. In the end, she isn't dealing with reality, she's letting her emotional involvement with Tim and her own guilt feelings about her brother sway her. In fact, she shouldn't be emotionally involved with a patient at all. Although I didn't state this explicitly, I did hint at it by way of how Frank is thinking about it.
Michele wrote: "Hi Susan, i think your portrayal of Maureen and the complicated relationships with both her mother and father were spot on. She reached out for Frank to come to Baltimore to advise her on a very bi..."Thank you! That's pretty much what I wanted readers to feel: Frank's ambivalence. He wants to be there for Maureen, but he feels an obligation to catch the killer so other women won't become victims.
Re Dana, you said: Dana was caught in the typical therapist/patient loop i believe. She was understanding of Tim's problems but I also believe she had the deep down fear/knowledge that he was guilty and struggled with the position that put her in >>
Well said, Michelle. She too struggled with ambivalent feelings. And really, that's the way it is in real life, isn't it? Sometimes the choices we're forced to make are not clearcut between X and Y. It's more like a choice continuum, and sometimes no matter which choice you make, someone will be unhappy.
I think that one of the most clever things you introduced in your book, Susan, was Tim's Mickey Mouse watch, especially since it played such a significant part in the final resolution.It did make me sad though when I thought about the "original" gift (not even picked out by his dad ). That was probably one time when I "almost" felt sorry for Tim.
Betsy wrote: "I think that one of the most clever things you introduced in your book, Susan, was Tim's Mickey Mouse watch, especially since it played such a significant part in the final resolution.It did mak..."
Ah yes, the Mickey Mouse watch. I confess that I had one as a child, forget how old I was, but I remember it was a big deal at the time. So I decided to give one to Tim. Partly as a symbol of his father's callous disregard. Or maybe not so much callous as not wanting to be bothered to choose a gift. And partly because there had to be something for Frank to see that cements his belief that the man with Lisa Marie in the bar is Tim. And partly to have Tim cast it as a symbol of his father's indifference.
I don't know if any of you have read Eric Larson's
about the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. I love his writing and greatly admire how he brings historical events and settings to life so vividly. However, I got to thinking about the Larson book after our discussion of the race issue in Absolution. I did a bit of research on the Chicago World's Fair for my non-fiction ebook, Women Who Dared, about violinist Maud Powell and trumpeter Edna White. Maud performed at the Fair in 1893. I found it ironic that they called it "The White City." And it really was a "white" city, built by whites for whites to enjoy. The only time blacks were allowed into the fair was when organizers decided to have a Colored People's Day. That is correct. One day. Civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, (a model for Rona perhaps?) urged blacks to boycott the fair. The previous year Wells had been forced to flee Memphis after getting death threats for her outspoken newspaper columns about lynchings. That year, 161 African Americans were lynched.
WOW !! This is why I love our discussions b/c I always learn new things. Susan, our book club did read this wonderful book, I loved it, and our explanation of why it was called the "white city" had nothing to do w/ race. We found that all the classical buildings e.g. the Court of Honor were made of white stucco and the new invention of electric lights illuminated everything, making it "look" white.
Never knew the fair was for whites only.
Something that I must ask all :Dana and Frank = did you like them together?
Did you feel that there was more between them than just passion?
In your opinion, what made them get along so well?
Do you think that their long-distance relationship will work ?
Betsy wrote: "WOW !! This is why I love our discussions b/c I always learn new things. Susan, our book club did read this wonderful book, I loved it, and our explanation of why it was called the "white city" had..."Yes, the buildings were white. Forgot to say in my comment, that I found it a bit curious that Larson didn't mention the exclusion of Black folks. I've got pix of the ticket for "Colored People's Day." Don't think I can post it here, or if so, I don't know how. That said, I too loved the book. Perhaps Larson just didn't feel there was room to include that issue as it couldn't be raised and dealt with in a sentence or two. He already had plenty on his plate dealing with the dastardly serial killer, HHH Holmes. :)
Betsy, forgot to say also ... what did you think about Ida B. Wells? And her possible influence on my thinking about Rona? I wasn't consciously thinking about Wells when I created the character, but I was certainly aware of her.
Susan, I am amazed where your character "inspirations" come from, and I love how you have explained those inspirations to us! I agree that Larson had more than enough to deal w/ the building of the Fair itself and all the new inventions that were presented at the Fair and then telling the story of the "dastardly serial killer" , which was chilling! The race issue would just have muddied the waters but thanks for telling us about "Colored People's Day" = OMG!Wells certainly had a strident voice, like Rona's, and I can certainly "see" how you would make an unconscious connection between the two women.
Would love to know members' thoughts about my message #109, the Dana/ Frank relationship;
curious to know YOUR thoughts....
Betsy wrote: "Would love to know members' thoughts about my message #109, the Dana/ Frank relationship, please...."
Betsy, I like Dana and Frank together. Although I don't think a long distance relationship will work. I am optimistic and hoping that they will figure out a way to make it work.
Betsy wrote: "Would love to know members' thoughts about my message #109, the Dana/ Frank relationship, please...."
Me too!
Sean wrote: "Susan, review is up and can be seen, as I never give too much plot away in my reviews. Frank character, well a sincere, caring and dedicated detective, haunted by his past, which was not his fault. You brought to life his character especially and I am sure we will get to know more of Kenyon Miller, also liked the spunky character Rona, she had some fight in here. Yes Sean Daily, another great character, who really was a good person.Have number two to read, and I now wonder how many characters will be back, I can guess 3-4 !
A great pace, gripping and tense to the end.
Tim, a lot of thought has gone into this evil man and his personality."
Sorry, Sean, don't think I ever replied to your comment. Thanks for putting up the review and your comments on various characters. I do put a lot of thought into creating them, mainly because in my view, as a reader, if I don't care about the characters, why read the book? Even though Tim was a truly twisted villain, he needed to have depth.
As for book 2, yes, some of the characters will return. Frank and Kenyon Miller for sure. But Frank gets a new boss. And uh-oh, how do I hide this, big spoiler coming up .. a new GF.
Oh, no ! IF GF means what I think it does, no more Dana so, guys, just forget my message #109 :)
Betsy, maybe the new GF won't live far away so it won't have to be a long distance relationship. That would be better.
I really enjoyed the last thoughts and comments of Tim. It gave a great insight into his character and the turmoil he felt inside. It was a great finishing touch. Betsy said "Dana and Frank = do you like them together?"
Well Betsy, I didn't have strong feelings either way. I know why Frank found her attractive. I think I'd have liked to know more about why she found him attractive...
Ann, I like your comments about the ...."the last thoughts and comments of Tim" ; as you said, "It was a great finishing touch."SPOILER!
At first I thought that he was just using Lisa Marie to escape because he needed a car, hers. We find out that he had prepared his escape and even had his Glock in the glove compartment and we knew that this would not bode well. Then they are cornered at the rest area and their car is useless w/ flattened tires so they can go no further; this will be their last stand. But, even in all that turmoil, with police outside, Tim said to Lisa, "It's too late for me but there's still time for YOU to run"; he actually was thinking about HER. He also told Lisa about all the horrible times w/ his father and Nanny
which, IMO, made us feel more toward him than just this horrible monster he grew up to be. Realistic, he knew his mission was over , picked up the Glock and he said, "This is as good a day to die as any other", put the muzzle of the Glock against his neck and fired; his thoughts were how free and peaceful he felt which I thought was amazing. WOW!
You're so right, Ann, a GREAT finishing touch and a great way to end !! Susan, it was a great scene and a perfect way to bring a fitting end to the Tongue Killer's life. Applause !!
Karen B. wrote: "Betsy, maybe the new GF won't live far away so it won't have to be a long distance relationship. That would be better."How did you guess? :)
Ann wrote: "I really enjoyed the last thoughts and comments of Tim. It gave a great insight into his character and the turmoil he felt inside. It was a great finishing touch. ..."Thanks Ann, so happy you thought so. It seemed to me readers might want this, since they've been inside his head for much of the book. So I added that short bit to wrap things up.
Betsy wrote: "Ann, I like your comments about the ...."the last thoughts and comments of Tim" ; as you said, "It was a great finishing touch."SPOILER!
At first I thought that he was just using Lisa Marie to es..."
Thanks to you also, Ann. I can't tell all of you how great it is to get these very insightful comments. As authors, we put things on the page, but rarely get to hear how readers interpret them so a BIG thank you to y'all!
Susan, I have come to the end of my journey with your book, all questions satisfactorily answered, thank you very much !! You mention that you like to ...."hear how readers interpret .... the things we (authors) put on the page" ; well, we readers find it helpful to have the author right there with us, clarifying things for us as we go along, and you did a great job with that!
Reading ABSOLUTION has been a positive experience , and I enjoyed it. Thank you for your constant attention to our questions!
Maybe I do have just one little question still rolling around in my head: WHY did you choose to call the runaway girl who connected w/ Tim LISA MARIE ??
Mod
Another great success, thanks Susan.
Thank you Susan. This was my first discussion and i thoroughly enjoyed the comments/questions and your insights.
Betsy wrote: "Susan, I have come to the end of my journey with your book, all questions satisfactorily answered, thank you very much !! You mention that you like to ...."hear how readers interpret .... the thi..." Maybe I do have just one little question still rolling around in my head: WHY did you choose to call the runaway girl who connected w/ Tim LISA MARIE ??
Thank you for all your wonderful comments, Betsy. As for your last question ... Lisa Marie is the name of Elvis Presley's daughter and Lisa's father was an Elvis impersonator. :)
Thank you Sean for your latest comment and also for inviting me to do this. Can't wait to do it again!Thanks also to Michelle, so happy you enjoyed the discussion ... it was my first time, too. And finally, thanks to all of you others who posted such insightful comments and posed such interesting questions. I had a blast answering them! Hope I threw you a few curves, and a few new things to think about.
And if you're into true crime, please drop in on my blog now and then and read a post or two. http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog_...
Or check out some of the fabulous female musicians in my archives. http://www.archives.susanfleet.com/do...
Happy reading!
A clear 4 star.
Frank character, well a sincere, caring and dedicated detective, haunted by his past, which was not his fault.
You brought to life his character especially and I am sure we will get to know more of Kenyon Miller, also liked the spunky character Rona, she had some fight in here.
Yes Sean Daily, another great character, who really was a good person.
Have number two to read, and I now wonder how many characters will be back, I can guess 3-4 !
A great pace, gripping and tense to the end.
Tim, a lot of thought has gone into this evil man and his personality.
PS Everyone please don't give too much away, some members are still reading.
I carefully skip through till I had finished the book to read the many questions and answers.