Question H

[Jonetta]

Carina Kincaid comes from a large family of people connected to law enforcement though her reason for becoming a detective are personal. What are your thoughts about this character, her strengths/weaknesses? Do you understand her guilt about her nephew Justin’s abduction and murder? Should she have borne any blame?

[Karen ♐]

I think part of the reason Carina went into law enforcement was because of what happened to Justin. It is definitely understandable that she felt so much guilt regarding his abduction and murder. Understandable but not warranted at all.

[Lauren]

I agree with Karen that Justin's abduction and murder played a significant role in Carina's decision to become a cop. I found it interesting that despite the trauma, she seeks justice rather than vengeance.

It is clear that she wasn't to blame for what happened to Justin, but it is difficult for the heart to accept that even if the mind has.

[Charlene]

I agree with you both, Karen and Lauren. She really did have a tough time getting from head to heart and back again.

[Jonetta]

If this had happened to me, I’d be consumed with guilt even though I’d know intellectually it wasn’t my fault. Even if the parents had been there, they’d be feeling this guilt. No way around it.

I like that distinction...she’s seeking justice versus vengeance. Carina was by the book, too. I thought she had good skills and was a good detective.

[Melissa]

I really like Carina. I have always liked stronger female leads. I think having so many brothers helped build her character. I understand her guilt, but she needs to think about what could have happened if she knew about it and tried to stop it. She never should have been blamed, but I can understand why her sister was so mad. Jonetta is right...if anyone else had been there when it happened would feel the same guilt.

[Sandra]

I agree. Carina was driven to become a detective by her nephew's abduction & murder. It is heartbreaking and I understand her guilt. I have no doubt I would feel the same. No, it wasn't her fault, but she has to feel that she let Justin, her sister, & her family down. I also wondered if there's a future book in which maybe the murderer is discovered?? I did find her to be a strong heroine with high morals and a need to seek justice and defend the innocent. I'm very intrigued to see where the author takes her in future books (assuming she does).

[Jonetta]

Yes, it’s in the Max Revere series and the book is called Shattered. It’s #4 in that series and I posed the question as to what to do with it before we read this book.

I have that series as well and don’t like the idea of starting with book #4. One of my recommendations was to pause Lucy and start that series. It’s far down the road so we’ve got time to reflect. I reached out to Brennan and she definitely felt we need to read it.

[Sandra]

Jonetta wrote: "Yes, it’s in the Max Revere series and the book is called Shattered. It’s #4 in that series and I posed the question as to what to do with it before we read this book.

I have that..."

Oh! Then I vote we read the series. I'm a big believer in reading in order and of reading per author recommendation.

[Jonetta]

Yes! Here’s my original post. Right now, there are 15 books in the Lucy Kincaid series. Seems like taking a pause after #12 would be easy to do.

I heard back from Allison Brennan regarding Shattered, the 4th book in the Max Revere series. Here’s her response:

“SHATTERED is part of the Max Revere series, however it's a crossover title. It features both Max and Lucy, and it resolves a central question in Lucy's life (what happened to her nephew 20 years ago). It doesn't have to be read within the Lucy series, but many include it between MAKE THEM PAY and BREAKING POINT. Thanks so much for writing!”

That would be between books #12 & #13. Normally, I’d be all over that. But it’s the 4th book in the Max Revere series and that gives me pause.

Three other solutions come to mind.

1. We could incorporate the two series together (creating a universal list like we did for the Harry Bosch series).
2. We could commit to beginning the Max Revere series after #12 and return to Lucy Kincaid.
3. Lastly, we could just leave the list as is.

Here’s the link to the Max Revere series:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/1181...

Thoughts? Opinions?

[Karen ♐]

I agree that we should read in order too. I like the idea of creating a universe list.

[Jonetta]

Thanks for weighing in, Karen.

[Sandra]

I am for reading in order. If that means a "universal" list - a blend of series or whatever, I vote to go that route. And I'm committed to reading them all.

[Charlene]

Ditto for me. Just tell me which book we're reading for the next month, and I'll do my best to get it done and to participate in the discussions.

Another hearty thanks to Jonetta (for the questions), who makes the gray cells where I reside bump together a bit more often :-)

[Karen ♐]

Agree, Charlene. Jonetta’s questions really add so much to reading these books. I love our discussions.

[Jonetta]

Thank you, both! I love doing them.

I’ll put together the revised reading schedule in the other group and send out a broadcast message.

[Lauren]

As always, I'm for reading in order. Thanks for organizing it all Jonetta!

[Karen ♐]

Looks like we'll be busy reading these series for quite a while! Love it!

[Jonetta]

You’re welcome!

Yes, this takes us into 2021😏 But! It’s what we did with Harry Bosch and currently Gaslight Mystery. It seems to work when we’re liking the series.

[Melissa]

I'm in.

[Jonetta]

That’s wonderful, Melissa!