Chapter 1 - 10

[Olga]

Thoughts on the book so far

[Olga]

So, so far I’m definitely enjoying the pacing and the short chapters. It keeps me interested and feels like it’s going faster - also, i like the back and forth because it really helps paint the picture of their relationships and dynamics, and probably will help us understand the actions Sophie takes later on.

I don’t like how they refer to her disability as “cripple” and “bad leg”. I’m very happy with the fact that the disability isn’t her whole identity, but i wish they’d refer to it with less negative terminology. Is that just me?

As far as her parents, I feel like they care about her but maybe don’t understand her or trust her? Maybe something happened that we don’t yet know about that made that happen. I feel like it is a good way to get her to solve the crime without adult help, but hopefully it’ll be well explained and be a reasonable excuse. However, i really hope she decides to solve the mystery with Aunt Macy, not just because of the whole adult help thing, but also because Aunt Macy seems like a really good person to have around. She has experience, connections and really cares about Sophie, not to mention is the only person who seems to believe her and not blame her for the death of her friend.

I’m very intrigued to find out what Mina was investigating though, to be serious enough to get her killed? And is the killer coming back for Sophie? Why did they spare her?

I’m definitely invested so far!

[Nico]

I don't care for the "cripple" comment either, but "bad leg" doesn't bother me as much personally. I oftentimes refer to my right leg as my bad leg, too. It's a coping mechanism, at least for me, and an easier way for me to explain the limp (and also my mobility device without having to go into my whole medical history when I prefer not to). I do know, however, that for each person what could be fine may be internalized ableism for another. So Sophie calling it a bad leg maybe her internalized ableism--which wouldn't be surprising given what seems like so much self-shame for her addiction.

I really appreciate her aunt as well, and it's heartbreaking to me how little support Sophie's receiving. Because they assume she was drug seeking, she's somehow basically Mina's killer--which feels incredibly harsh, realistic in a way, but awful.

Right now the possible biggest potential story flaw would be if the explanation for keeping Sophie alive is weak. Because it has to be good. If Mina was investigating something there is no way for the killer to know with certainty that Sophie was NOT in the know. Setting her up as a patsy by making it look like a drug score gone badly, while convincing, still seems reckless (by keeping Sophie alive).

And it is interesting, I'm invested as well.