Question F

[Jonetta]

Penn does some stellar research in identifying the probable owner of the shoe found at the lake near Tyler’s body. Your thoughts about how he helped identify the connection with Sheila Thorpe?

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

That was very smart police work thinking laterally to establish the connection. Though I wonder if it would have flown IRL. Maybe good idea and he got lucky. Very impressive in book world and for the purposes of this story though.

[Sharon]

I was impressed with Penn's research skills. He does a good job of putting clues together to figure out the next step. We've seen this in the past when he gives Stacey suggestions on how to look for people.

[Robin]

Penn thinks outside the box when it comes to his job.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

He definitely brings some very positive skills to the team. It would have been so difficult coming in after Dawson but he has earned his place both with his work ethic and general positive and supportive personality.

[Sharon]

Yes. I like Penn. He is a good addition to the group. He is level headed, and his personal life adds a lot to the stories.

[Jonetta]

I love Penn’s methods. They feel outside of the box but he’s just deadly methodical and meticulous. He has a way of connecting dots and being creative in how he does it. His complete focus is on problem solving and moving to the next step, never forgetting what he’s already accomplished. He’s an outstanding analyst.

[Lynn]

We are being shown just how valuable a member of the team he is becoming. It's almost like he is a contrast to Dawson who used tried and true methods and usually did things without consulting anyone else.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "Penn does some stellar research in identifying the probable owner of the shoe found at the lake near Tyler’s body. Your thoughts about how he helped identify the connection with Sheila Thorpe?"

Penn was fantastic here - very smart thinking outside the box.

I'm kind of sad that Betty the plant is dead and he didn't get to have her on his desk 😢

Regarding the comparison to Dawson, they are two very different personalities. Dawson was very self-absorbed and while he was a good friend to Stacey, he wasn't always a reliable police officer.

Penn in contrast is selfless. He truly cares not only about his family and team members but about the victims and their families. His consideration of Josie Finch was very empathetic.

I was shocked when Dawson died, but I think Penn is a better fit for the camaraderie of the team and the tone of the series (perhaps this is why Marsons killed Dawson off).

[Jonetta]

I hated that Betty died, too. That plant represented a fun way for the team to compete.

Great analysis of Penn & Dawson. Seeing Dawson gradually grow is what endeared him to me and the team. I believe Marsons said she’d taken the character as far as she could.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Lynn, nice comparison to Dawson at this stage of the series. Both brought something to the team, different but equally important. And Dawson's death seemed to bond the team in a way that nothing else could have. Penn seems exactly the right person never to replace but to bring something new to the team.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "I believe Marsons said she’d taken the character as far as she could.."

Yes, I can see that. Penn has more room for growth both as a person (his family life is very intriguing and become more so with his mother's deteriorating condition) and as a member of the team.

[Lauren]

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Penn seems exactly the right person never to replace but to bring something new to the team.."

Exactly!