Psychological Thrillers discussion
Can’t Hide What’s Inside CJ Heigelmann
For over 30 years I've worked for small, medium, Fortune 500, and a Fortune 50 company, including military service, and have seen the "good ole boy" system in action. It is so prevalent, that it nearly appears invisible until one actually focuses. It is under that umbrella where individuals act with impunity and the hostile work environment blossoms. The most common form of aggression being sexual harassment towards women.
Ruth wrote: "And what gets me is, as in the book shows us, there’s always one or two flirty women that gives the others just enough cause to continue. Shrugs. Lol. Making the non-allowed to look like prudes."Exactly. I see you've met Trina. Everyone who starts a new job and wants to be your friend doesn't necessarily have your best interests in mind. Brittany was there to share Trina's background, although once Trina opened her mouth, Madison could smell what she was cooking, It's a potential risk when beginning any new job. People invite you to socialize with them after work, but you don't really know them, or their reputations, and it's very easy to gain a negative label that you don't deserve. A danger of unknowingly running with the wrong crowd.
I am about as far into the book as you, Ruth. I agree with with what you have said, I really liked the first chapter and I did not expect what is happening now to come next.
Anne (w/ an E) wrote: "I am about as far into the book as you, Ruth. I agree with what you have said, I really liked the first chapter and I did not expect what is happening now to come next."I tend to write in this rhythm of peaks and valleys throughout all my books, contrasting emotional episodes consecutively, which has the effect of unpredictability. The intent is to mirror the unpredictable events of real life. The reader should not have an inkling of what the future holds, and I prefer them to be powerless in this regard. I don't want the reader to prepare, or foresee. For most of us, that marginalizes our comfort of "control" and nurtures a fraction of anxiety to some degree. I want anxiety to build as the enemies are revealed, and hopefully, by this time, empathy for Madison has already been already established.
Ruth wrote: "Oh CJ...I picked up on that. I’ve tried to find bits and pieces of foreshadowing and CANT. Hahaha...I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to reading stories. You’ve squashed my plans. Hahaha. ..."Ha! Then you will really be mad at me when you consume the Red Herrings I've scattered to and fro. ;)
Ruth wrote: "I’m pretty good at fishing."Ha! I can tell!
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How do I nab a copy of this?
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I have some major issues with this book,,,,,I woke up at 4am, and had to continue to read....Ruth, women are close to what men talk about, but we don't do what they do. It seems that the more men nab women is like a macho thing, women on the other hand grab men for what? I recall when I was younger, haha, we would talk about...well never mind...Its not a comparison to me, and for Ron to THINK he can get over on a black woman,,,C,J, WE GOTTA TALK....okay, so I have to head out for a few hours,,,,then back to reading...
Lou wrote: "How do I nab a copy of this?"Thanks, Lou! Check your message inbox!
stephanie wrote: "I'm still on the NEGRO aspect of what Madison's mom said...haha..WOW, NEGRO, let me google that word...I have some major issues with this book,,,,,I woke up at 4am, and had to continue to read......."
Yes, let's talk! Elizabeth's usage of the word, Negro, gives the reader insight into her upbringing, social inadequacies, and PSYCHOLOGICAL (clue) makeup. Such terminology is dated, and along with other statements, it shows that she is clearly prejudiced and racially biased against interacial relationships.
"..and for Ron to THINK he can get over on a black woman,,,C,J, WE GOTTA TALK..."Yes, let's talk! :)
Among Ron's moral and ethical inadequacies, are his racial stereotyping and deep-held prejudicial beliefs. He is an archetype of a racist person who engages in social and intimate relationships with the very people he stereotypes. His partner in crime is Black. His wife is Black. One would think that he wouldn't be prejudiced because of that, but contrarily he is, and whether through not caring to confront his racist beliefs or through his cognitive dissonance, he stands firm. He thinks that nothing at all is wrong with his beliefs.
This condition is more common than most are aware of and some real-life examples that I have encountered further explain the "Ron" archetype. I've encountered dozens of couples in the military in which the wife was from another country and the husband an American, and heard many of the same negative stereotypes associated with her culture, religion, etc.
Over the decades, I've known coworkers, acquaintances, who were very friendly to me, and over time felt comfortable sharing their subtle racist beliefs with me, feeling justified and safe from condemnation because they followed it up with, "But not you. You're different, I'm only talking about some of the others."
In Ron's case, his archetype is in the perceived "power" position pertaining to his wife, and Terrance. His lack of empathy, and narcissistic behavior, begs the question, "Could Ron be a sociopath?" He does what he wants, when, and how he wants. He's a taker. He's a user.
stephanie- "How about she got a job transfer because.."In short, to get away from her mother and live her life, which is something she tried to do before when going to college. The pregnancy and her nervous breakdown brought her back. This is a recurrent theme with Madison and goes to the heart of her spiraling depression and mental health. From the loss of her only "normal" loving parent at a young age, to the agony of trying to please an ultra-controlling mother, Madison has been damaged and her psychological development is in need of healing. But every time she breaks free, it seems that something in her life knocks her back down.
She goes to college happy as a lark, but becomes pregnant, the father abandons her, and she has to go back home to her controlling mother. A nervous breakdown ensues, and it's no wonder.
She rebounds and tries another escape, this time with her child, and moves across the country to start fresh. But she is tormented at work. How can she escape?
She reports the offenders. What a relief! Things will be better. No.
We know what happened in Chapter 1. She is knocked down again, nearly destroyed with grief and guilt.
This pattern will continue until the reader nearly reaches a breaking point and asks, "How much pain can one person endure before they mentally break?"
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stephanie- "was she (Charlene) a black woman? haha, I so wished that Char clocked him in the gut, seeing how he is way over-weight..."I envisioned her as being a White woman, but as with most of the supporting characters, I leave their race ambiguous so the readers can decide. Naturally, they will assimilate the information and subconsciously begin associating the data to fill in the blanks. Unless race identification is needed to illustrate a specific point, it becomes inconsequential when dealing with human nature and interpersonal communications. Ex. I made Kathy's (Ron's wife) ethnicity known to illustrate his archetype, but not Trina, or Charlene, or even Brittany for that matter. I let the reader determine those details from inference. In this way, I allow the natural tendency of all readers to stereotype and associate those characters with a race to some degree if they are curious, which is the perception aspect of human nature.
stephanie wrote: "So C.J. does Tony ever get into the picture?"Oh, yes he does. I can't wait until you get there! Ha!
stephanie wrote: "Ruth, now days, many folks are classified as Black Americans, because many are mixed, and we all know about the history, and how many were raped, and sold. But in reality, African's don't mix well with black americans..."That's a very interesting observation and I have also noticed that sentiment throughout my travels and relationships with native Africans from different countries. There seems to be a disconnect on a social level with the Black American, but African and American history gives us clues as to some of the factors, variables, and dynamics of why that gap exists. That is a deep dive.
Ruth wrote: "I noticed you gave some ethnicity and some you didn’t. I agree that when you gave the ethnicity it was needed. Ron used his wife’s ethnicity to help him cover his tracks. I totally envisioned Charlene as a long, lanky, underweight red head. Hahahahaha. With dark red lip stick, too much make up and chewing juicy fruit. Lol."
That's the benefit of keeping physical descriptions at a minimum when not required. If it's not needed to serve a purpose, the actions and dialogue of that character will cause the reader to sketch any desired physical description through association. A mental picture (If needed) will be organically etched into their minds by their own encounters, experiences, or whoever is closely relatable.
Ha! How I enjoy this!
Glad you guys are enjoying book sorry I can't join in.
Chris wrote: "Glad you guys are enjoying book sorry I can't join in."I apologize Chris. I resent it to the correct email address now. I added a dot after .net. and never got a return to sender. Please check your email now and let me know! :)
It happened when I cut and pasted your email address and didn't realize I included the period.
I give up I can't get it on my kindle. I usually download my books through bookfunnel or directly from amazon and net galley sends to me. Don't ask me what my email for kindle is b/c to be honest with you I have no idea. Ugh
Chris, you can find your Kindle email address on your Amazon settings. Once you find your Kindle email address, just forward the email with the book that was sent by the author to your Kindle email address and your book will show in your Kindle library. Send me an email on Goodreads and I have walk you through finding your Kindle email address.
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I don't know how far you guys have read but I am on p 199. Keep reading! Lots of stuff happening and I can see more coming! No spoilers :D
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I'd would like to receive a copy of the book as well. My email is: purie36@gmail.com
Rosa- I'd would like to receive a copy of the book as well. My email is: purie36@gmail.comRosa, It's waiting in your inbox. :)
Oh man! I can’t wait to start reading my copy! Amazon will deliver my book on Thursday! I’m a “book in my hand” nerd! Love the physical book!
It does sound like a great read!! I’ve read so many great first novels or early novels of newer authors. I am loving these groups!!! I think my Amazon account is loving these groups too!
Sonya wrote: "can I get a copy? Is it too late?"Sonya, check your message inbox!
Oh yeah a PDF of the book ended up on my kindle but I don't feel like zooming in and out of it to read so I just bought the book I should of bought it last night since I think it was .99 and this morning it was $1.99. I'll get to it. Right now I am reading a book that they want the review by June 1 and it not a short book and neither is this. Guess I'll flip a coin each day to see which one I read. Oh yeah a PDF of the book ended up on my kindle but I don't feel like zooming in and out of it to read.
Can't Hide What's Inside by C.J. Heigelmann (Goodreads Author)
Sébastien Haté's review May 13, 2021
"Fast paced, suspenseful. Great book, one of the best I've read this year"
I truly did not expect to get a review like this. It certainly takes the painful sting out of my negative reviews!
Ruth wrote: "Omgosh. I just hit a shocker regarding Conor. I’m literally bawling my eyes out out of anger."Shocking, I know.
Ruth wrote: "This private eye/cop is killing me. What a sleeze."Ha! He is definitely full of himself.
Ruth wrote: "You sir are a tad warped figuring out all this and making it into a story. Lolol. (Just kidding) What a mess...but a great story."Oh, keep going, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Ruth wrote: "Reese Witherspoon would do an incredible job playing “Madison!”"Wow. It's like you knew who I had visualized. Now, you're scaring me. Ha.
i started the book and I can say what a rotten thing to do to Madison how dare the person. Revenge is sweet I'm sure.
Spite, destructive conspiracy, and hate are those seeds that once planted always spawn destruction in some form. A trivial act with bad intentions can have horrible ramifications. It's all fun until somebody dies. A crime and a shame.
Ruth wrote: "I imagine we are, as humans, all been guilty of committing a mean act on someone. But, these guys had so much hate for a girl they didn’t even really know."Yes! Especially for two of them. To not be able to have her was one insult to their egos, and being exposed for their sexual harassment was the final straw. A sad reality in many workplaces that such misogynistic and narcissistic mindsets exist.
Ruth wrote: "That’s why o love how this book approached the subject matter. Several sensitive topics were put in this story and all handled with raw truth. From the topic to even the vocabulary brought out real..."Thank you!
I'm here for any questions or comments. I'll be in the shadows...
While reading this book boys never grow up. They remain juveniles most of their life.
Yes, indeed!