Question C

[Jonetta]

Nick Thomas is allowed to participate in the investigation even though his brother is under suspicion. Was his mistrust of his brother and his experience with the serial killer, The Butcher, enough to justify trusting him? Was this realistic?

[Karen ♐]

I really liked Nick right away but have to admit this was probably not too realistic. I can't imagine detectives working these types of cases letting a suspect's brother (even though later he was off their list) participate in their investigation. He did have the experience they needed, however.

[Jonetta]

I’m with you, Karen. This was a stretch. Maybe when Steve was eliminated but before then? No, at least not to the extent they were sharing.

[Lauren]

Not realistic at all. In fact, if Steve Thomas had turned out to be the killer, the police's entire case would have been contaminated by allowing Nick to assist in the investigation.

In addition, the explanation that the San Diego police wanted Nick's help because of his experience with the Butcher case didn't hold water either. San Diego isn't a small town and I'm sure the police are quiet capable of investigating without Nick's help. They could also have called in the FBI.

[Charlene]

Of course not realistic, but I did like Nick so much that I overlooked the "fictional" aspect of this participant!

[Jonetta]

Lol! Yes, Charlene, we swallowed this and moved on☺️

[Melissa]

I can see him being allowed to help because of his experience, but I was surprised that they did not wait for his brother to be cleared first. I agree with Lauren. San Diego is huge and I'm sure they could have gotten help elsewhere, especially after the 2nd murder.

[Lauren]

Melissa wrote: "San Diego is huge and I'm sure they could have gotten help elsewhere, especially after the 2nd murder. ."

Yes. Brennan made it sound as if San Diego were a small dinky town with an inexperienced police force. Very unrealistic.

[Jonetta]

FYI, San Diego is the 8th largest US city, 2nd largest in California with 1.5 million people. By far, not a dinky town.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "FYI, San Diego is the 8th largest US city, 2nd largest in California with 1.5 million people. By far, not a dinky town."

Clearly, they would have been more than capable of handling the case without Nick's input.

[Sandra]

I loved the Nick's character along with the baggage he carried. But it wasn't realistic to think that the police would allow him to participate in an investigation that included his own brother. Having said that, I let it go and immersed myself in the story. I did find it interesting the way Will, her partner, was sent away, virtually written out of the story thus allowing a "spot" for Nick to partner with her.

[Jonetta]

You’re right, Sandra! Will was missing for most of the action.

[Lauren]

That is a good point about Will, Sandra. He had to be MIA so that Nick could take on his role of partner.

[Karen ♐]

I remember thinking where’s Will but then realized that this was the only way Nick could work with her.