Question O

[Jonetta]

Any other topics you’d like to discuss? Your overall opinion of the story?

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I really enjoyed the different threads in this which contributed to a really good read.

And it definitely moved the Mercy and Truman relationship to the next level.

Great balance of mystery and relationship which I'm enjoying in this series.

[Robin]

Another great addition to the series. I love how Mercy and Truman's relationship moves forward with each book. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks for the great questions, Jonetta!

[Jonetta]

You’re welcome!

I am loving this series, too.

[Charlene]

Yes, thanks once again.

I think I'm looking for Rose's baby to come and how her story will unfold before and after... really don't want this series to end.

[Sandra]

Love the story & series! I'll be sorry to see it end.

One thing I've thought about: Nature vs. nurture
Ryan mentions his dad's PTSD made him do the things he did. He killed to quiet the voices in his head - that's why he smashed their mouths & teeth out. Ryan saw what his father did & even figured out why he bashed their head/mouths in - to quiet the voices. So - why does Ryan start killing the same way? Was he born with the evil/crazy in him? Or driven to it by the lack of nurturing as a youth and having seen and lived with what his father did? One could argue that this would be all the reason he'd need to make sure he was a better, completely different man.

I also found it interesting that Clint knew some of what Ryan did, but didn't tell. Also, apparently he didn't have the same rage & urge to kill as his father & Ryan.

Just a couple of observations that reading this left running through my head.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Love the story & series! I'll be sorry to see it end.

One thing I've thought about: Nature vs. nurture
Ryan mentions his dad's PTSD made him do the things he did. He killed to quiet the voices in ..."

Sandra, I had the same thoughts, I mentioned them in one of the other discussion questions and answers. And an interesting question to ponder over and one I don't think the experts have even come up with a definitive answer. For my two cents worth the genetic tendency is probably there and then environment fills in the gaps. Perfect example here in this case, one brother follows in his father's footsteps while the other does not. Clint did have loyalty to his brother and this is why he didn't disclose anything. Family loyalty must be a really difficult thing to grapple with when you suspect a family member has done something illegal.

[Jonetta]

Ryan was deeply traumatized by the murder scene he saw as a child and suppressed it. He was also horribly abused by his father. He remembered, though, how the act of those murders calmed his father. His father was an abusive man and his service in the war just exacerbated what was already there.

I don’t think Ryan was nurtured or “inherited” evil abilities (I don’t subscribe to those theories). He was damaged and his childhood trauma was triggered by Britta’s return. The scenes in his head were torturing him and he rationalized it by thinking if he repeated what his father did, it would bring him the same peace. When it didn’t, he convinced himself it would come if he finished off what his father started, by killing Britta all those voices would be silenced.

FYI, Clint wasn’t abused by his father.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Jonetta wrote: "Ryan was deeply traumatized by the murder scene he saw as a child and suppressed it. He was also horribly abused by his father. He remembered, though, how the act of those murders calmed his father..."

It's an interesting topic to discuss in relation to how the father/son dynamic played out in the book. To clarify, I didn't mean that evil abilities per se are inherited but there is a genetic component in mental illnesses such as as Paranoid Schizophrenia I believe. Ryan may have shared this with his father and then the childhood trauma and what he had observed with his father was triggered by Britta's return.

[Jonetta]

Thanks for clarifying. Schizophrenia generally presents much earlier and left untreated, Ryan would have shown symptoms and signs all throughout his adult life. His murderous activities began twenty years later. That’s why I don’t think that was his issue. Looking at his history of abuse at his father’s hands? You can see a linkage.

[Jonetta]

Charlene wrote: "Yes, thanks once again.

I think I'm looking for Rose's baby to come and how her story will unfold before and after... really don't want this series to end."

I’m looking forward to Rose’s story continuing, too.

This was such a great choice for a group read. Another series where everyone seems to be in agreement that it’s a good one!

[Sandra]

I find it interesting how different people handle childhood abuse & trauma differently. Some allow it to rule and ruin their life and life decisions thereafter while others appear to use it to become a better, stronger person - as a learning lesson of what not to be. An inspiration to be a better human being. I think the debate over nature vs. nurture could go on forever.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Very true, Sandra. It's also interesting the different family dynamic between siblings and their parents which was also highlighted in this book.

It was a great book for group discussion.