Spoiler Discussion (January 2021) Group Read - A Fatal Obsession, by Faith Martin

[Icewineanne]

Great story! Just what I needed during these depressing days. Enjoyed this just as much as the Hillary Greene series. Faith Martin has definitely shot up on my must-read authors list.
Terrific storytelling of what appears to be a simple case of murder, turns to be more complex as each chapter builds on the original murder, adding new facets to the mystery. And the master mentoring the student, makes for a fun, even if a bit predictable, pairing. I noticed that the next book (A Fatal Mistake) in this series takes place only 6 mths after this one. Very excited to jump unto Trudy & Clement’s next case.

[Bill]

I found Rex's motive (getting revenge on his sister's ex, after five years) hard to believe and the plot to cumbersome to work. I also expected the misdirection, that the attacks on the half-brother were intended to disguise reason to attack the actual target. And the final outburst where Rex confesses was too over-the-top for me, though making him obviously criminally insane obviated an encounter with the hangman. Found Trudy charming but I don't think the story comes up to standard.

[Icewineanne]

It didn’t bother me that Rex took so long to exact revenge. He had been away at school for part of the time which allowed his anger to fester over the years. Because of his unhealthy relationship with his deceased sister, he never really grew up. Definitely mentally unsound.