The Angel of Darkness (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler #2)

[Trisha, Buddy Reads]

This thread is to discuss The Angel of Darkness, the second book in the Dr. Laszlo Kreizler Series by Caleb Carr.

Pages: 770 pages

Length: 1 Month (October)

Participants: oshizu, Trisha, Dominique, D.L., Alison, SarahKat, Lynn, Sunny, Library Queen.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

[Alison]

Hi Ladies!! Happy Almost October!! I wanted to let you know that my library hold on Angel of Darkness is due October 1st so I finished the Chunker today 😊. I took lots of notes and can’t wait to discuss this with You All! 📚❤️

[Lynn]

I located my copy and plan to start it after I finish my current book. So sometime this week? This may delay my start to Liu's book, oshizu. I seem to be reading bricks for October! ;) Hadn't realized this has been classified as horror. But so was The Alienist which did have grisly details I tried to skim over. I hope this isn't grislier than that one was.

[oshizu]

Lynn wrote: "I located my copy and plan to start it after I finish my current book. So sometimes this week? This may delay my start to Liu's book, oshizu. I seem to be reading bricks for October! ;)"

Lynn
Let's you and me agree to read The Angel of Darkness first. That works for me. :D

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I located my copy and plan to start it after I finish my current book. So sometimes this week? This may delay my start to Liu's book, oshizu. I seem to be reading bricks for October! ;..."

Yep!

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

I'll start this week too after I finish my current book!

[Trisha, Buddy Reads]

I would probably start in a day or two! (Comment updated, for I just realised that I have kept a terribly boring book halfway on hold and would like to finish it before I start this one!)

[Sunny]

Got my copy about a week ago. Looking forward to starting it this week.

[Lynn]

Sunny wrote: "Got my copy about a week ago. Looking forward to starting it this week."

Whoo! Whoo!

[oshizu]

I just finished the first four chapters.
Not really much to say but I'll post a comment anyway.

(view spoiler)[Narrative structure: The main storyline seems to be framed by Stevie accepting Moore's bet: Moore would learn a thing or two from Stevie's telling the story of Libby Hatch.
This pleases me, as I can use it for Prompt #1 (framed story) of the Anthropology of a Reader quarterly.
(I mention this mainly because Alison, Lynn, and Library Queen have also joined the Anthropology of the Reader quarterly...)

Stevie: His use of "what" at the start of clauses appears in the first chapter so we cannot hope that he will outgrow and discard it in the course of the book, can me? . :( (hide spoiler)]

On to chapter 5...
PS I own a used hardcover edition with a dust jacket feature a nice photo of the author, leaning on a counter next to a skull.

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "PS I own a used hardcover edition with a dust jacket feature a nice photo of the author, leaning on a counter next to a skull."

Sounds like something my husband would do! :)

I will be starting this briefly this evening, then hopefully will make further progress tomorrow! :)

[oshizu]

I have read the first 20 out of 59 total chapters.
When I came to Goodreads to update my progress, I saw that it had been marked as "Read." Stupid Goodreads--it must have switched 6-7 books from To Read to Read yesterday while I was trying to set up my 2020-10, 2020-11, and 2020-12 Goodreads bookshelves.
So annoying.

Anyway, just a thought or two on the first third of the book
(up to and including ch 20)
(view spoiler)[Slow: Seemed that the plot took a good while to get going. For me, I started feeling more invested around Chapter 15.

*John Moore: He describes himself at one point as "the moron of the group," because he's always the last to catch on to the rest of the team's grasp of the case. He really appears in a poor light in this book, sometimes acting like a bit of an arse.

*Elspeth Hunter: Her double life as one of Goo Goo Knox's molls came as a complete surprise, even after Ding Dong attacked Stevie et al. in front of the nurse's home. At the time, I'd simply assumed that someone higher up was paying the Dusters to protect the nurse.

Kat Devlin: I have a bad feeling about her. (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "I have read the first 20 out of 59 total chapters.
When I came to Goodreads to update my progress, I saw that it had been marked as "Read." Stupid Goodreads--it must have switched 6-7 books from To..."

Goodreads does this to me all time. Also it changes the edition to the Kindle edition all the time. Or adds it. Grrrr...

[Sunny]

Lynn wrote: "oshizu wrote: "I have read the first 20 out of 59 total chapters.
When I came to Goodreads to update my progress, I saw that it had been marked as "Read." Stupid Goodreads--it must have switched 6-..."Goodreads does this to me all time. Also it changes the edition to the Kindle edition all the time. Or adds it. Grrrr...

I've had the same switcheroo from book to Kindle edition happen to me too now and then. I thought it was just me choosing the wrong one.

[Lynn]

Sunny wrote: "Lynn wrote: "oshizu wrote: "I have read the first 20 out of 59 total chapters.
When I came to Goodreads to update my progress, I saw that it had been marked as "Read." Stupid Goodreads--it must hav...

I've had the same switcheroo from book to Kindle edition happen to me too now and then. I thought it was just me choosing the wrong one."

I just assume it's Bezos' way to try to convert us! lol ;)

[Alison]

oshizu wrote: "I have read the first 20 out of 59 total chapters.
When I came to Goodreads to update my progress, I saw that it had been marked as "Read." Stupid Goodreads--it must have switched 6-7 books from To..."

oshizu, I completely agree with all of your spoilers!! :)
My Own spoilers (through the first part of the book):
(view spoiler)[ I <3 Stevie!! I really like that Stevie is the narrator of this book!! It gives a different perspective in that you are not always right in the middle of the action...for example, when the group arrives somewhere, Stevie must stay with the horse/carriage, carry luggage in, etc. so that he either gets filled into what was discussed among Dr. Kreizler/Sarah/John Moore/Inspectors or else he climbs walls/stands outside doors to listen in!

Stevie's use of "what" throughout the book really throws me! I have to go back and read the sentence sometimes because the "what" confuses my brain!!

I agree that John Moore is getting painted in a not so good light...not very intelligent or keen to catch onto things, a big drinker at times and also a bit of a womanizer...

This is different from the Alienist in the fact that we know the person who committed the crime from the first part of the book...they aren't trying to figure out who dun it! I won't say more but I kind of like that aspect of the book!
I just want to see Elspeth Hunter/Libby Hatch get taken down a peg or two!! :)
(hide spoiler)]

[Sunny]

I've gotta' start reading so I can read all these spoilers!

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

Me too Sunny! I'm on chapter 4. I accidentally am reading a bunch of huge books this month. Argh.

[Sunny]

SarahKat wrote: "Me too Sunny! I'm on chapter 4. I accidentally am reading a bunch of huge books this month. Argh."

When I saw the Serial Slayer challenge, I decided it would be a good idea to read the remaining 7 in The Outlaw series, which is a part of my yearly serial challenge ... and today I applied the math: they total 3,048 pages! The shortest being 331 pages. The rest are 400-500.

Since I have this many bricks ... I'm thinking of tossing in Willis' Dooms Day Book for the heck of it rather than waiting 'til Nov or Dec.

[oshizu]

I finished this book this morning.

In response to Alison
(view spoiler)[*Stevie: Great observation on Stevie often being on the fringes of the action

*I agree that this book isn't a whodunit. I think we could even call it a howdunit (for the sake of that Just the Facts prompt). (hide spoiler)]

After having finished the book, I'll share a few trivial impressions because I'm sleep-deprived from staying up too late last night, reading this darn book. Honestly, I hadn't planned to finish this book until tonight...
(view spoiler)[*Tobacco: Since Stevie mentions early in the book that he's known Moore since he was 11, can we safely assume that Stevie in his flashback is around 12 years old.
I thought it was a little comical that he was always sneaking a secret smoke but why are the adults with jobs always bumming cigarettes off Stevie?
Were they all trying to quit, thus not buying cigs for themselves?
This seemed to be kind of a running joke in the book, but i find it odd.

*Ballston Spa: Once the trial started, I had difficulty putting this book down to sleep. I don't read courtroom mysteries but the trial was very engaging (to me). I had heard the name "Clarence Darrow" but had no idea who he actually was.

*Kat: I said this.

*El Nino: I'm not sure how I feel about the exoticization of the aborigine pygmy from the Philippines, with his arsenal of weapons/poisons coupled with his "bushy hair" and monosyllabic speech. Historically, Manilamen were not all aboriginal pygmies like this novel implies, although casting El Nino as such gives his character a more foreign, bizarre appeal. But it's a case of cultural misrepresentation, imho. Oh well.

*Book 3: I get the feeling that the narrator in the next book might be Sarah Howard. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, pressing tasks await me so I'll close here.
I share scanty remarks but will return to respond to everyone else's comments! One chunkster down for October! :D

Edited to add: I returned to repair my numerous typos. I'm somewhat visually impaired but rarely bother to proofread my post.

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "I finished this book this morning."

Too fast! You are reading way too fast! Bad girl! ;)

[Sunny]

oshizu wrote: "I finished this book this morning.

Good grief! You need to teach a speed reading class ;)

[oshizu]

oh c'mon, ladies. 200 pages/day isn't that crazy speedy, is it?

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "oh c'mon, ladies. 200 pages/day isn't that crazy speedy, is it?"

It is if you're talking during the workweek, woman! ;)

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

oshizu wrote: "oh c'mon, ladies. 200 pages/day isn't that crazy speedy, is it?"

I can occasionally get 200/day. If every aspect of my life falls into place perfectly. Slow day at work, baby goes to sleep early, 8-year-old entertains himself, husband works...

It happens! Rarely.

[Sunny]

Sunny is LOL and falling over 😄

[oshizu]

For me, it depends very much on the book's genre.
Historical mystery happens to be my favorite.

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "For me, it depends very much on the book's genre.
Historical mystery happens to be my favorite."

I am just giving you grief because I can! :) Not as if you're close enough to hit me or anything, eh? lol

I've gotten to Chapter 4, but it's 10:40PM and past time for me to be in bed. Tomorrow is Friday and busy at work. I should have Saturday afternoon and evening to read and all day Sunday, except for some cooking. :) I am finding it enthralling! Love his characterization as well as the plot. :) I'll say it again, as I did while reading The Alienist--Sara Howard is my kind of woman!

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

POV: (view spoiler)[ I like that this is from Stevie's point of view. He was likable in the first book but I'm glad we get to know him more in this, along with some of Kreizler's history. I don't like that he's making me dislike Mr. Moore though. Not that he was awesome in the first one, but he's a bit of a jerk in this one so far. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[Has anyone read Sandman? Do the brothers Isaacson in chapter 4 remind anyone else of Cain and Abel in Sandman? No? Just me? Okay. (hide spoiler)]

I'm on chapter 8 now I think. I'm hoping to have time this weekend to read a bunch. Family was visiting this week and I barely read at all.

Through chapter 6 thoughts: (view spoiler)[Mostly just that chapter actually. I like that they are once again using forensic sciences that we are familiar with today but back then was just being discovered. When the brothers are taking Linare's pulse (Is that her name? I don't have it in front of me) while they were questioning her to see if she was lying. The thing I don't understand though, is her heart rate never sped up just out of sheer emotion? Especially when seeing the picture? Why is that not weird? I would be a basket case if my daughter was missing and I can guarantee my pulse would be all over the place. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, Buddy Reads]

I’m keeping my mouth shut because with the crazy deployment happening next week at work, I have zero chills! I can’t even do 50 pages/day and probably will not be able to read at all next week! :(

I’m through chapter 8 so will go through all the spoilers until that point.

POV: Agreeing with all of you there! (view spoiler)[ Stevie’s POV gives us more of a bystander view, since he is not in the middle of the action so far. That annoys me at times, but then, Moore wasn’t an excellent narrator by any chance. Stevie, at least, seems enthusiastic! Agree with SarahKat, Moore’s been a jerk so far!

I do hate his usage of ‘what’ but I’ll most likely get used to it! (hide spoiler)]

In response to SarahKat’s post: (view spoiler)[ Ditto! I found that weird too! I assumed that she was definitely not being truthful about her daughter’s kidnapping and it was a big framed lie, since the pulse didn’t fluctuate. But then the brothers said she was speaking the truth, how? Also, the fact that the brothers shared a few looks between themselves at few of her responses, I thought that they had discovered something HUGE, but then at the dinner, they didn’t roll out any big discoveries! (hide spoiler)]

oshizu & Alison - I’m parking both of yours spoilers for now, promise to read them as soon as I read those sections.

Pace of the book: (view spoiler)[ I feel the book is a bit slow compared to the first one. By chapter 9 of The Alienist, I bet I was too invested in the plot. Not this time! It’s enjoyable, but not that thrilling yet! (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "I just finished the first four chapters.
Not really much to say but I'll post a comment anyway.

Narrative structure: The main storyline seems to be framed by Stevie accepting Moore's bet: Moore wo..."

That is the same edition I own! I just finished chapter 4 this morning.

I hadn't considered the framing prompt for this one. Good idea!

And (view spoiler)[I imagine Stevie is Stevie and will be Stevie (hide spoiler)]... :)

[Alison]

(view spoiler)[ I really like that the book had a trial!! I haven't read too many courtroom dramas/mysteries but was completely taken on this one...One: because it was interesting and
Two: for a personal reason - My son is 6 months into his position as a prosecutor in Prescott, Arizona and has a couple jury trials under his belt now! :) I could completely relate to the talk about jury selection and presenting their case with objections to be made, etc because my son has described some of his experiences with me :D

I didn't know who Clarence Darrow was and had to google him...I liked that in the book he tucked his tail and ran when they had found Libby Hatch's infant's grave at her family's home...guess he didn't want to damage his reputation with a loss!

I do wonder why Vanderbuilt got involved with the hiring of Clarence Darrow and why was Vanderbuilt paying for her defense?? I wouldn't think that a rich man like that would pay that much attention to a servant in his employ in the real world...Libby Hatch wasn't that high up in his employ to be that important to him??
(hide spoiler)]

[oshizu]

In response to Trisha:
(view spoiler)[*Pace: I didn't get sucked into the story until Chapter 15. I wonder when that point will be for you, if ever. :D
*PoV: I would say, not that Moore is behaving like a jerk but, that--as the narrator--Stevie has chosen to portray him as the rather slow-witted and often insensitive member of the team. I believe Stevie's having a bit of fun, at Moore's expense, for Moore's remark in Chapter 1 about Stevie lacking the education to tell a "better story." (hide spoiler)]

In response to Alsion (end of book)
(view spoiler)[*The trail chapters: The portrayal of the trial and the team's ongoing race to find conclusive evidence is what kept me reading far longer into the night than I had intended.
*Corneil II Vanderbilt: It does seem improbable that the man would throw his considerable resources into the defense of a former maid. Vanderbilt's role in the plot was not very developed and, in the end, seemed more like authorial name-dropping. (hide spoiler)]

[Sunny]

Another fantastic start! And I am totally hooked again! And if I hadn't been so darn sleepy I would have read more than the 1st couple of chapters.

(view spoiler)[As a writer I can well imagine how cool it would be to have yet another character tapping me on the shoulder, wanting to give his POV on things. Stevie's voice is wonderfully distinctive and I'm enjoying seeing everyone through his eyes ... especially John, whom I suspected wasn't quite as honest about himself as he could have been. He's really taking on his true colors with Stevie. I'm not really sure if I like John or not ... but I am sure that I don't trust him as far as I can throw him! (hide spoiler)]

I'm looking forward to getting in some more chapters this evening and over the weekend.

[Lynn]

Sunny wrote: "Another fantastic start! And I am totally hooked again! And if I hadn't been so darn sleepy I would have read more than the 1st couple of chapters.

[spoilers removed]

I'm looking forward to gett..."

Ha! Ha! You crack me up! I would agree that (view spoiler)[John seems like an asshole. I worry about Stevie's health. (hide spoiler)]

If I'd had the time I would have reread The Alienist before reading this sequel, but I don't think it's going to matter a whole lot. Carr seems to redefine the characters in the first few chapters...

Don't know how much reading I'll get done tonight, but tomorrow I hope to make a huge dent in it. I am finding it totally compelling as I did The Alienist. Thank goodness for weekends! :)

[Sunny]

Lynn wrote: "Ha! Ha! You crack me up!

Happy to oblige! :)

In response to your spoiler: (view spoiler)[ Sometimes we just gotta' tolerate jackasses ... some are easier than others -- especially when they're narrating fantastic books. (hide spoiler)]

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

I made it through chapter 20!

Just another note about the POV (not a spoiler really): (view spoiler)[I still just really love Stevie as narrator and it's really making me appreciate Carr's abilities. This book has a lot of the same feel as the first, but the voice really is completely different. I'm actually enjoying this one a lot more because the first was so journalist-y. (hide spoiler)]

Other thoughts: (view spoiler)[John is really a complete moron in this. I do think to a point Stevie is having some fun with his character, but he's honestly so stupid it's a bit grating. Why do they even need him this time around?

I like the female side of this book. The Alienist touched on it a little bit, but with this one having the culprit also be female, it sheds new light on the psychology of women, which is interesting in that time period when having a family was how a woman would basically measure her worth. I think Elspeth is an intriguing villain and I'm excited to delve further into her psyche.
Side note: It has obviously gotten a lot better but honestly, until people start asking my husband how HE keeps the house clean while also working 40 hours a week and not just asking ME that question, there's room for improvement. Why does the cleanliness of my house reflect on me but not him when we both work the same hours outside the home? Sorry, digression, I had family here this week and it stresses me out. (hide spoiler)]

[oshizu]

In response to SarahKat re:PoV
(view spoiler)[*There was one point where Stevie admits not understanding what's going on either, but he lets John asks the questions because "he's so good at asking dumb questions."

*I agree that the Moore-bashing gets annoying. And if Moore is supposed to be the reader's stand-in so that we can keep up with the minds of the brilliant characters, I'll be super pissed.
You're right, SarahKat. I don't understand what purpose John Moore plays in Book 2. And how can somebody so clueless be assigned the crime beat of The NY Times? (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn]

I'm on page 138, through Chapter 13. I am loving this even more than I remember enjoying The Alienist. I think perhaps there is even more emphasis on psychology? Maybe not, but it seems to me as if there is. Perhaps much of that is the fact that I am very uncomfortable reading about children literally raising themselves on the streets. It is just a trigger for me. I know it happens and I have the greatest compassion for them and would like to take them all into my own home, but I am depressed when reading details of their lives... That was a large part of TA, IMO. And one thing I was amazed by, that those of you who just read The Alienist last month may be able to help me with, (view spoiler)[for the life of me I did not recall Cyrus was a black male. But this is not uncommon for me. I tend to not realize specific ethnicity/race of a character unless it is overtly described/named in the description. Was that specified in TA? (hide spoiler)] I don't know what that says about me, but I don't know if I just didn't remember that or if it was not as specific in TA. Help me!

I am reveling in the emphasis on the (view spoiler)[psychological aspects and found the scene with Mrs. Cady Stanton quite humorous. (hide spoiler)]

Not much reading time yesterday but it is raining here today and my arthritis is on fire, so sitting in the chair with my feet on the ottoman and icing my lower back and knees. I guess I need more ice bags for the feet, neck, and middle back! LOL ;)

[Lynn]

page 178, in Chapter 19. Oh, no, Stevie! This looks to be a setup by (view spoiler)[Ding Dong (Love that gang member name! ;)) I sense real trouble ahead. At first, I was hoping that Kat was simply an innocent in all this, but then I thought it might be better if she was doing it willingly (Of course she would, since she is such an addict needing her fix...) and Stevie discovered that so that he could finally make a break from her emotionally. (hide spoiler)] Is that mean? Probably, but I am thinking of him. And then I realized, well, we know from reading the Prologue that he at least (view spoiler)[doesn't die (hide spoiler)], so there is that...

[Lynn]

Page 236 Okay. We know where (view spoiler)[Ana is, but I'm still worried about Kat. I want to make sure she isn't caught... (hide spoiler)]

[Library]

Lynn wrote: "I'm on page 138, through Chapter 13. I am loving this even more than I remember enjoying The Alienist. I think perhaps there is even more emphasis on psychology? Maybe not, but it seems to me as if..."

Yes, Cyrus was described as a black man, when Moore wanted to go into an apartment building, the residents refused to let Cyrus in because he was black.

[Lynn]

Library wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I'm on page 138, through Chapter 13. I am loving this even more than I remember enjoying The Alienist. I think perhaps there is even more emphasis on psychology? Maybe not, but it seem...

Yes, Cyrus was described as a black man, when Moore wanted to go into an apartment building, the residents refused to let Cyrus in because he was black."

Ack! See, I should have reread The Alienist before reading this one. Though I guess that part doesn't make a whole lot of difference, since it is very clear in here... Thank you, Library! :)

[Lynn]

Page 339, into Chapter 34: I admire their tenacity, but is it wise to (view spoiler)[exhume the boys' bodies to plant a bullet in the wagon wood to be discovered by the others? Probably not, though I do understand their reasoning. It would be beyond frustrating to watch as sordid criminals like "Libby" get away with such heinous crimes... (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn]

SarahKat wrote: "I made it through chapter 20!

Just another note about the POV (not a spoiler really): [spoilers removed]"

I totally agree about (view spoiler)[Stevie's POV being very approachable and that does seem to make this book much more compelling than The Alienist. (hide spoiler)]

Unlike you I really do not enjoy a detailed exploration of a criminal's psyche, but so far at the halfway point, I'm okay with what has been presented thus far.

I do appreciate Sara's role as well as feminism being more front and center in this book than the first. I also appreciate the fact that each character appears to contribute their knowledge/skills, not just one or two of them. They seem to work together well as a team.

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "I have read the first 20 out of 59 total chapters.
When I came to Goodreads to update my progress, I saw that it had been marked as "Read." Stupid Goodreads--it must have switched 6-7 books from To..."

I rather like (view spoiler)[John's character as "the moron," as I think it allows Stevie's maturity to shine. Just being an adult doesn't mean you are the smartest, etc. To me, John is a typical party animal overall... He acts like a spoiled rich kid, IMO.

"Libby" the moll! Kinda completes that dualistic female persona as exemplified in the sculptures/myths. I admit that one took me by surprise. I just figured she had paid the gang to protect her.

Oh, my, Kat. I guess we now know she did not go to California. Which did not surprise me at all. I just keep fearing for her life.
I'm surprised she is evidently alive and well, at least as well as a severe 'burny' addict can be. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[What of the pygmy/midget guy? I keep wondering how he fits in as well as Senor Linares. I have had the husband/father in the back of my mind as somehow involved from the beginning. Of course, we know he is an abuser. I keep hoping he'll die somehow. :) Hint: I do NOT like abusers! (hide spoiler)] I just don't know.

I had no trouble getting pulled in immediately to this book, much as I was with The Alienist. I do not find this to be a "fast read." I am totally invested and find it easy to keep reading, but not at a particularly fast rate. :) It feels as if I need to absorb it all...

[oshizu]

Lynn wrote: "I do not find this to be a "fast read.""

I agree that this book was not a fast read in the sense of being light reading. But often a chapter I'd hoped to stop on would end on a cliffhanger, somewhat compelling me to read on. This was especially true (view spoiler)[once the trial proceedings started (hide spoiler)].
I guess I'm just weak that way?

[Lynn]

oshizu wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I do not find this to be a "fast read.""

I agree that this book was not a fast read in the sense of being light reading. But often a chapter I'd hoped to stop on would end on a cliffhanger, somewhat compelling me to read on. This was especially true (view spoiler).
I guess I'm just weak that way?"

Ah, I am not yet to the (view spoiler)[trial. (hide spoiler)] But I do not call that "weak" so much as enthralled! :)

[Lynn]

Okay. At page 360. Unbelievable how the (view spoiler)[El Nino situation resolved! (hide spoiler)] Very cool! I like him after all! :) And, of course, I can only surmise that poor (view spoiler)[Kat is going to be pulled into all this yet once again. Though I wonder if she will emerge alive and unscathed? (hide spoiler)]

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

oshizu, your comment about John, (view spoiler)["And if Moore is supposed to be the reader's stand-in so that we can keep up with the minds of the brilliant characters, I'll be super pissed." This is definitely the case and I'm honestly becoming more and more insulted. Ugh. He's the only thing I hate about this book. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 34: (view spoiler)[Lynn, I had the same thoughts as you about exhuming the body, but I assume because ballistics was only just starting out, they probably won't jump to the conclusion that they went through all this trouble to get a bullet that will likely not even help their case. I don't know how much "planting evidence" was a thing back then.

I actually almost forgot they are doing this because they are looking for Ana! I am so invested in the Libby Hatch killing her children mystery that I stopped thinking about the current and urgent reason they are doing it. I am very curious about the aborigine and Linare's stake in the secrecy of all this.

I've been concerned since the beginning that this is going to be a case of Munchhausen's by Proxy. I would honestly be disappointed if they make it out to be that because I feel like it's a bit overused nowadays. I don't think it fits though for multiple reasons.

Because of what is written on Matthew's grave, I think he might still be alive? I don't know. I think that will somehow be important though. (hide spoiler)]

Lynn, what chapter is page 360 for you? It's chapter 30 for me but I know you're past that so I didn't want to click on those spoilers.