Crime Detective Mystery Thriller Group discussion
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The Girl With A Clock For A Heart By Peter Swanson
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Sep 09, 2014 05:24PM
We will kick off the reading of The Girl With A Clock For A Heart on September 10th. Peter Swanson will have a comment.
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Hello all,I'm so excited that Ron organized this group reading, and that so many of you are reading my first book. I'm happy to jump into the discussion, or to answer any questions about the book, or any other questions--about my next book, my writing schedule, or how I finally got published.
I hope you all enjoy The Girl With a Clock. My goal was to write a book that will keep you turning the pages, and wondering what will happen next. It it doesn't work for you, feel free to express that. My skin has toughened up quite a bit in the last year.
Thanks for joining this group, and happy reading,
Peter
I loved this book,it had me gripped from the first page.I really liked the way that almost every chapter ended on a cliff-hanger which made you want to keep reading to find out what happened next.This is one of the best books that i have read for a long time and i can see why it has been picked to be made into a film.
I really liked this book. I thought the back and forth between the present and the "backstory" was very well handled. I have to admit that towards the end I started thinking "if one more bad thing happens to George I think I'm going to stop reading this" but then the boat incident rather quickly resolved, and led to a great ending. The author very subtly foreshadowed the ending early in the book, but not in such a way that I knew what was going to happen. I'm now recommending this book to friends.
I just started reading the book and I'm totally hooked!
Whoops, forgot to mention that I'm also on Chapter 4.
I'm at Chapter 5 and I'm hooked also.
Good points by Nicki and Cathy. Only three characters so far but they really make me turn the pages.
What attracted me to this book was Liana because I got the impression that she would be a Femme Fatale type character. So far, she seems on track.
I'm a big fan of these types of book. I happen to read a lot of pulp fiction books and one author that comes to mind is Bruno Fischer and two of his books, The Lady Kills, and So Wicked My Love. You could buy The Lady Kills on your reading device for $3.03.
Anyway, looking forward to reading more of this book. I have a feeling that it's going to keep me up late at night.
Good points by Nicki and Cathy. Only three characters so far but they really make me turn the pages.
What attracted me to this book was Liana because I got the impression that she would be a Femme Fatale type character. So far, she seems on track.
I'm a big fan of these types of book. I happen to read a lot of pulp fiction books and one author that comes to mind is Bruno Fischer and two of his books, The Lady Kills, and So Wicked My Love. You could buy The Lady Kills on your reading device for $3.03.
Anyway, looking forward to reading more of this book. I have a feeling that it's going to keep me up late at night.
Hard to say. I'm sure that all of us will be mad at her. I don't like her already. I don't think I can trust her. Guess that's the way it is for femme fatale characters. Should make for an interesting discussion.
Never did trust Liana, but she was a very interesting character. She always managed to save her own skin - and I think in her own way, she did look out for George even though she used him.
I'm also at chapter 5. I really do not like Liana, so far.
I do not like Liana. She is very conniving and cunning. She cause a lot of problems for George too, and he falls for them. So far, he seems to be left holding the bag, and he is really sweating about it too. He get left high and dry, and she is gone.
I like the atmosphere at the school. Want to see how Liana treated George there as well.
Two thirds through and really enjoying the book. Hard to stop! Love the present chapters alternating with the past story--cool technique. Wasn't much invested in George at first, but really care about him now--a truly decent guy.
It was a cold and dreary day here in Colorado and a perfect day to read your book without interruption since my husband was taking a nap. I liked the way you went back and forth and told the back story. I got a little bit confused about Audrey/Liana/Jane but it added to the story. It seems like she was a chameleon. I liked George. I didn't want him to arrested. There was one sentence on page 200 about being in the Monday morning ant farm that was Boston traffic that I hope will be corrected. The day was Tuesday. It is a stupid point but did notice. I really did like the book and it kept me turning pages. Is there going to be a movie?
Anybody find George's relationship with Irene a wee bit on the callous & sleazy side?
MsG wrote: "Bill wrote: "Anybody find George's relationship with Irene a wee bit on the callous & sleazy side?"A long time friendship with benefits. They both know where each other stand."
MsG, that is my take on their relationship too. I only have 42 pages left!!
So much fun to read all the comments. In away for the weekend and just on my phone
So clearly, as you can all see, am inept at commenting via phone. Can't wait to chime in later, however, on George's callous relationship. I agree that it is. Cheers, Peter
Well, I'm on Chapter 9 now. This is a tough book to put down. What can I say. Have to wonder what Liana is going to do next. Can't trust her or believe anything she says.
Finished. Gotta wait till more people are done to say anymore.
MsG wrote: "I think we're far enough for me to comment that it became increasingly hard for me to like George either. I honestly did not feel sorry for him.I understood him but did not feel an ounce of symp..."
MsG, I actually kind of liked George. He was a simple guy who made a not very smart move to get involved in all this. I didn't really get the idea he was a bad person. Just not smart. At all.
MsG, did you like or not like the ending. At this point a yes/no answer would probably be best.
MsG wrote: "Christine:I liked his determination.
Yes (sort of LOL).
You?"
No, sadly.
I'm just plowing away here. Up to Chapter 13. Donald Jenks is one nasty character. I guess my mind thinks about the movie but I can't get Ray Liotta out of my mind if he was cast as Donald Jenks.
Gotta say that I'm really enjoying this book.
Gotta say that I'm really enjoying this book.
Ron wrote: "I'm just plowing away here. Up to Chapter 13. Donald Jenks is one nasty character. I guess my mind thinks about the movie but I can't get Ray Liotta out of my mind if he was cast as Donald Jenks..."Yes, Ray Liotta. I kind of see Dermot Mulhoney (not sure if I got that right) as George unless he is too old now.
MsG wrote: "I like the way it weaves to the past to explain something at length but then comes back into the present right where thoughts were in mid-stream.That explanation didn't come out right. Know what..."
I know what you mean, MsG, and I really liked that technique.
Donald Jenks was really scary and tough. I actually thought he was going to kill George and had already killed Liana. She was no where to be found when George went to the house initially. Donald is small, but mean and very strong. A punch to the kidneys is not good for anyone.
I'm avoiding comments to date as I've only read the prologue and about half the first chapter so far.I was a little put off at first by the clearly-amateur guy going into a crime scene hoping to find evidence that the police detectives and forensic experts might have missed. It's a cliche that annoys me in detective fiction. However, since the clue he finds is very personal between him and the victim, the cliche is circumvented and I'm confident that the writer will not disappoint. I wonder if it was intentional, to use that well-worn cliche and somewhat subvert it.
It's a good point which I didn't think about. I guess the part about George going through the tape makes him seem reckless for doing this. I thought it added to his character as well. I think that's the good part of this being a psychological thriller is seeing the character crossing lines that he shouldn't be getting involved with such as going to a crime scene in the first place.
As you said, the key was the clue that he found since it was personal. I'd like to see how it plays out in the story now.
As you said, the key was the clue that he found since it was personal. I'd like to see how it plays out in the story now.
It's great to read so many comments, and to read that a lot of folks are saying that the book hooked them.About George and Irene's relationship, I agree that it is kind of callous. They are probably a great match for one another, but George is someone that doesn't just want romance--he wants romance with someone he can't trust. He's hooked on the danger of it, and like all hapless males in pulp fiction, it's what dooms him.
Ray Liotta as Donnie Jenks? I love it. Liotta is one scary guy.
I never thought of George as an amateur detective, but he is, of course, in his own way. He's also obsessed, and determined to keep looking for LIana, no matter what.
When I read the first few pages, I couldn't quite understand that George is referring to something that appears later in the story after all the other narrative and before he heads off to Mexico.
Well, I'm down to the last 61 pages. I'm not sure that I want to see it end yet but what can you do. I may have to wait until everyone is finished before making any more comments.
When I saw the reference to the movie Something Wild, I thought that you had Ray Liotta on your mind for this book since he was really scary in the movie.
Being a Bruno Fischer fan, I have to say that this is the kind of book that I would see him writing but you do a better job since you combine the past and the present with George and his days in College. Haven't seen Fischer do that in his stories. Guess that was the reason they were under 200 pages. There are some parallels with So Wicked My Love but that story was broken into three different stories where the character would meet the woman again and again after a few years. Still, Liana is a better and more powerful character than the woman that Fischer portrayed in his book.
When I saw the reference to the movie Something Wild, I thought that you had Ray Liotta on your mind for this book since he was really scary in the movie.
Being a Bruno Fischer fan, I have to say that this is the kind of book that I would see him writing but you do a better job since you combine the past and the present with George and his days in College. Haven't seen Fischer do that in his stories. Guess that was the reason they were under 200 pages. There are some parallels with So Wicked My Love but that story was broken into three different stories where the character would meet the woman again and again after a few years. Still, Liana is a better and more powerful character than the woman that Fischer portrayed in his book.
I'm done. I guess I have to wait for everyone else to finish. In any case, I really enjoyed this book.
I think George was in a rut and secretly bored with his life and that was why he got involved with Llana again plus i think he was a bit obsessed with her but she was his first true love.i thought he was a bit daft for getting himself involved in the first place but then how many of us have wanted a bit of adventure in our lives at one time or another.I could imagine Liam Neeson or William Petersen playing George but thats probably because i have a bit of a crush on both of them.....lol
That's the beauty of a novel like this because the characters drive the story and I see all that as well.
Just checking in - currently on Chapter 14 and continue to enjoy reading every suspenseful moment!
I'll try not to ask questions that won't spoil the book for people who are still reading it. For those who want to answer, anyone have thoughts on the relationship between George and Liana?
I'll say Ben Stiller. I think George's obsession with Liana was a great way to drive this story. You really didn't know what Liana was going to do next. A great point of building suspense in this story.
I like the "don't go" part. Sounds like a horror movie and you don't want George to go into a room where the killer might be. Yep, you knew that George was going to get in trouble soon enough.
Anyone have any thoughts on why Liana is considered the girlfriend from hell?
Yes, she seems to lie her way through life and you never know who she is. She makes out like she is your friend and then manipulates you the way she wants. She is willing to get George arrested and put in jail for a crime that she committed.
Liana's actions really define her since you can't trust her. Not sure that I have any sympathy for George since he's getting involved with her.
Hopefully, I won't regret asking this question. Which character is more infuriating, Amazing Amy of Gone Girl or Liana?
Since I have read both books, my choice hands down will be Liana.
I did not read Girl Gone yet, but Liana is pretty bad. She definitely used her good looks, and the fact that George was attracted to her.
I guess that leads me to say that maybe we have to wonder if George was a sap because he was involved with Liana. Wonder how other people feel about George as a character.
I didn't think George was a sap exactly. Somewhat gullible perhaps, but only because he was enamored of the "mystery" surrounding Liana. She added spice to his life, and when she was with him, she seemed to truly care about him. While he would be selfless as far as she was concerned, I doubt that it would ever be reciprocated. She cared about George, but would never care enough to give up her life as a grifter.
I guess I can agree and say gullible would be a better word. Hard for me to trust Liana though and I wonder how much she cared about him.
I never got the idea that he was still over her in the end. To me, I would like to see if he changed in any way from the whole experience of being with her. Leads me to believe that there is a Part 2 coming to this book.
I never got the idea that he was still over her in the end. To me, I would like to see if he changed in any way from the whole experience of being with her. Leads me to believe that there is a Part 2 coming to this book.
George was bored with his life and was still "in lust" with Liana when she appeared in his life again. I think these two things drove him to do what he did. And his gullibility. I think as long as he remains so attracted to Liana he will continue to search for her. Does he really LOVE her? I am not so sure about that. She does not love him, that seems clear to me. Like, yes. Love, no.
I guess we're saying that there will be a part 2 since George will search for Liana. I'm with you on George lusting for Liana. I can't trust Liana to decide it she even likes him.
On the subject of Irene, I was surprised that she stayed with George, especially after she took a punch from Jenks.
On the subject of Irene, I was surprised that she stayed with George, especially after she took a punch from Jenks.
Ron wrote: "I guess we're saying that there will be a part 2 since George will search for Liana. I'm with you on George lusting for Liana. I can't trust Liana to decide it she even likes him. On the su..."
I think that George and Irene, in a sad sort of way, needed each other. Once Liana showed up, I think Irene was more needy of George than the other way around. I felt bad for Irene.
