November/December Group Read: Suspect, by Robert Crais

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Ged is your discussion leader - have fun!

[[deleted user]]

I absolutely loved this book. It was my favorite book from last year. I think anybody would like it no matter what genre they usually read, especially if you are a dog lover.

[Kathy]

Kathryn wrote: "I absolutely loved this book. It was my favorite book from last year. I think anybody would like it no matter what genre they usually read, especially if you are a dog lover."

Karen, I so agree with you that most would like it no matter what they usually read, and it is certainly a book for dog lovers.

[Sharon]

I will preface this by saying I am not, in general, a fan of Robert Crais but this book is on my 'favorites' list and I have re-read it several times.

Hits home for me for several reasons, I worked on the psych unit of a VA Hospital with PTSD patients and I have bred and trained search and rescue and security dogs. Also know a son of friends who was a dog handler in Afghanistan who was seriously injured, along with his dog, by a roadside bomb. He is a double amputee and still in rehab and his dog is still with him.

[[deleted user]]

I would like to see a sequel to this book, but it will never be as special to me as this one was.

[Corvida]

I am a dog lover and I got all weepy. Those war dogs are so amazing.

[Peter]

I'm at the 50% point according to the Kindle. This is the first book I've ever read where the author uses the POV of a dog to tell parts of the story. I'm enjoying the read.

I really liked the bit at the start where the dog tells us that she doesn't regard the other Marines as part of her pack but, when she is hit, it becomes obvious that the Marines regarded her as part of their pack.

I guess that's one of the ways people and dogs are different-we have a larger concept group identity.

[Sharon]

Peter wrote: "I'm at the 50% point according to the Kindle. This is the first book I've ever read where the author uses the POV of a dog to tell parts of the story. "

It's a very difficult POV for an author to use, I think, especially for a reader like me, who has lived with and trained dogs and horses all their life. So easy to get it wrong.

I've read (or tried to read) a number of books where it isn't done well. Rita Mae Brown does it well in her "Hunt Club" series and Crais has handled it extremely well in Suspect.

[Harriet]

I read this over a year ago not because I've followed his Cole and Pike series, but for another reading group. My first thought was about the title. I always search throughout for the reason a particular title is chosen and how does it relate to the story. I've now encountered Suspect (or The Suspect) title three times: L.R. Wright's, which won the 1985 Edgar Award, Michael Robotham's first book which I have two copies, one with The Suspect (UK 2004) and one with Suspect (US 2005). I had to peek at the jacket of this one to understand that Suspect in this case is a verb not a noun. It was "suspect" whether LAPD Scott James and Maggie would be able to perform or function again.

Since some of you haven't finished the book, I'll hold any other comments.

[[deleted user]]

Peter wrote: "I'm at the 50% point according to the Kindle. This is the first book I've ever read where the author uses the POV of a dog to tell parts of the story. I'm enjoying the read.

I really liked the bi..."

Peter, if you like a book that is told by the dog's point of view, you may like the Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn. Bernie is a PI and Chet is his dog and partner and Chet tells the stories. They are usually a good mystery with humor and pretty spot-on regarding how a dog behaves, at least my dogs. The first in the series is Dog on It.

[Nicole Nikki]

I loved reading Suspect by Robert Crais! If you like dogs it's a must read. There was so much to this book, the mystery, suspense and the emotions and the best part, the loyalty and bond of a man and his dog.

[Marion]

Kathryn wrote: "I would like to see a sequel to this book, but it will never be as special to me as this one was."

There is a sequel coming out next year, the Promise.

[Ged]

Mm...I'll be honest and say I nominated this book because it had won a crime fiction prize and looked good, not because I'd read it. And just my luck, it won out as the book to read and now I have to lead a discussion on...a book I'm not enjoying at all. I do like the 'dog's eye' point of view, and think Crais pulls it off quite well, particularly as he to balance human-style writing with dog-style thinking. Very clever how in the opening-scene he gets all that tension in so that you, as a human reader, knows what's going on even when the dog doesn't get it. But unfortunately, I'm struggling with his writing style. I find he dumbs down to the reader a bit. eg. Chapter 3:
''I'm the new lead in charge of your case.'
'I heard you. What happened to Melon?'
'Detective Melon retired last month'.
Detective Melon was the former lead..."
Really, did he have to explain that last sentence? I think we could have worked it out. Maybe I'm being to picky, I'm sure you'll let me know if I am. It's only one example but I'll leave it there for now. I'll push on with the book for now...but I'm not convinced I'll finish it. Hope this isn't too negative.

[Laz]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the handling of the PTSD issues was particularly well done - taking Maggie to the construction site was wonderfully told.

The next book combines Maggie, Cole, and Pike, so it should be good. I wonder if Maggie will get Cole's sarcasm. And of course, she'll fall for Pike.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Ged wrote: "Mm...I'll be honest and say I nominated this book because it had won a crime fiction prize and looked good, not because I'd read it. And just my luck, it won out as the book to read and now I have..."

I had that same exact experience with Snow White Must Die. I was gung-ho to read it and then it just flopped like a dying fish. But sometimes I've found that when you don't like something others do, it can make for a great discussion. Don't be upset!

[Sharon]

Nancy wrote: "But sometimes I've found that when you don't like something others do, it can make for a great discussion."

I have to say that there seems to be a lot of books I don't care for by authors that the majority of other readers love. In fact, this is an example ... I liked Suspect very much but the Pike and Cole series simply doesn't appeal to me. I've tried several and don't think I've finished any of them.

[[deleted user]]

Marion wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I would like to see a sequel to this book, but it will never be as special to me as this one was."

There is a sequel coming out next year, the Promise."

Thank you, Marion. I'll be on the lookout.

[Ged]

Am pressing on with the book, and getting used to his style of writing. Why he starts every sentence / paragraph with 'Scott' as opposed to sometimes 'he' baffles me though. Also, not sure if the interplay between the 'Scott / Maggie' scenes and the investigation of who killed his partner really work. The leaps from one to the other are jarring for me. Also, the jamaican accent on Marley is borderline offensive. What parts of the book are really working best for your guys?

[Sharon]

Ged wrote: "What parts of the book are really working best for your guys?
"

Because I've worked with search and rescue/protection dogs and veterans with PTSD, the acurracy and emotional presentation of the issues with both the dog and the main character were what made the book work for me. The power and the emotion involved in the interaction between the two of them were what resonated, not details of how the book was written.

[[deleted user]]

I agree with you Sharon. I loved the book so much more because of the developing relationship between Scott and Maggie than for the mystery. I also loved the fact that Maggie doesn't forget the man who she used to protect.

[Patricia]

I just finished Suspect.....Loved it! While reading this book, I glanced at my little dog every once in a while and thought about her reaction to certain people and situations. I guess I was more intrigued by the relationship building between Scott and Maggie than the mystery itself. The police work let us see her in action and probably allowed us an introduction to a new set of characters that Crais will include in future novels.

I will be recommending this one to friends and family.

[B'burg Linda]

Just got my library copy today and looking forward to joining in the discussion in a couple of days. Got to finish my current book first.

[B'burg Linda]

I am almost done, should finish today, and am really enjoying this book. Is Scott James a new character, or are there earlier books that feature him - and maybe Stephanie?

[Laz]

B'burg Linda wrote: "I am almost done, should finish today, and am really enjoying this book. Is Scott James a new character, or are there earlier books that feature him - and maybe Stephanie?"

Scott and Maggie are new characters. The sequel will have them join the ongoing Cole and Pike storylines.

[Laz]

Gail wrote: "Do we know what the sequel will be called? Is it out yet?"

See #15.

[Jannene]

I just started this book today and I am really enjoying it.

[Peter]

Gail wrote: "I did something I haven't done for a while... I went to the library and got the big print version of Suspect! Can't wait to read and discuss!"

Gail, even in the digital world some of us need to read the big print version - it's just that we increase the font size without having to resort to the library.

[Jacqueline]

I read this book today, pretty much in one sitting, which I haven't done in recent memory. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was absolutely enthralled with the Scott /Maggie relationship. Of course I spent a good part of the book worrying that we were going to be presented with a Turner and Hooch kind of ending....probably why I couldn't put it down. I thought the mystery plot line was somewhat predictable, but that is totally forgiven by having a dog (female too) as a main character.

[[deleted user]]

After reading this, my husband and I wanted to run right out and get a Maggie.

[Sharon]

I do know that it is going to lead me to try his next book, with Scott/Maggie added to the Cole and Pike characters. As I said before, I've not cared much for Cole and Pike and wouldn't bother with the next book except for the addition of Scott and Maggie.

[Jannene]

I loved this book! I gave it 5 stars. I nearly cried at times and other times I burst out laughing. This was a very enjoyable read.

[[deleted user]]

Gail wrote: "I finished "Suspect". I love how Leland accepts Scott, and how Maggie went from growling to lap dog to growling. Too funny. Maggie's impressions near the end were amazing, and I like Crais' disclai..."

Gail, Leland was one of my favorite characters. I pictured him as Lou Gossett, Jr. and he reminded me of my husband. He comes across really gruff but really is a good, fair man.

[[deleted user]]

Jannene wrote: "I loved this book! I gave it 5 stars. I nearly cried at times and other times I burst out laughing. This was a very enjoyable read."

I agree, Jannene, it was an emotional roller coaster.

[B'burg Linda]

I finished a couple of days ago and really enjoyed 'Suspect.' Did anyone else feel like the relationships involving Maggie, Scott, and the other dog handler characters seemed more vibrant than Scott's other relationships? I wondered if this was a conscious decision on Crais' part or just a natural by-product of having a dog as one of the main characters.

[Sherrie]

Just finished the book. Being the Mom of three dogs, I particularly
liked reading about Maggie's thought processes.

[Marion]

I can't wait until Maggie meets Joe Pike in Promises.

[Daniel]

Read the prologue to this one, so far, I am interested enough to keep going

[[deleted user]]

Marion wrote: "I can't wait until Maggie meets Joe Pike in Promises."

I wonder if it will be like when Pike met the baby in First Rule . . "Boy" I got quite a kick out of that!

[Jon]

Well... here's a dissenting opinion: this was probably my least favorite Crais book. Certainly didn't hate it, but I found the canine angle kind of tedious and uninteresting. Now if Elvis and Joe had made an appearance in every chapter, I'm sure I'd be much more enthusiastic. Looking forward to The Promise for just that reason.

[Steve]

I just finished reading this book and really enjoyed it. My favorite part of the story was the loyalty between Scott and Maggie. Overall, I thought it was an excellent book-good story and believable characters.

[Glen]

I greatly enjoyed Suspect, and thought it was one of Crais's finest stand-alone novels. It was such a standout in showing Maggie's perspective (and generating more empathy for Scott) that I used Suspect as an entry on my blog as an example of alternative POVs for other writers.

[John]

Almost everything Robert Crais writes is pretty darn good and Suspect is no different. I enjoyed it, but it didn't hold my interesti like his Cole/Pike series.