Lethal White (May 2022) Buddy Read Discussion - Kira & Pushkar

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Lethal White Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on May 8th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 05/08
May 8 -Prologue - Chapter 7

Week of 05/09
May 9 - Chapters 8 - 12
May 10 - Chapters 13 - 19
May 11 - Chapters 20 - 26
May 12 - Chapter 27 - 32
May 13 - Chapters 33 - 39
May 14 - Chapters 40 - 46
May 15 - Chapters 47 - 56

Week of 05/16
May 16 - Chapters 57 - 64
May 17 - Chapters 65 - Epilogue

PARTICIPANTS
~ Kira
~ Pushkar

[[deleted user]]

Joining this BR!

[[deleted user]]

I have read upto chapter 19 as per today's schedule.

It's a slow paced book but I am really liking the character development and how they have painted the details of each character and their relationships. I strongly dislike Mathew and how Robin is still with him even after he cheated on her.

(view spoiler)[ The story is slowly developing and we get to see a lot of sides simultaneously. I want to see how Robin will deal with her issues. She is really unstable right now and I suspect that she will get herself in trouble. Her panic attacks trigger during her undercover work which is very risky and there is no one who really knows what's going on with her. Geraint Winn is creepy and he might try something with her. Her situation with Mathew doesn't help at all.

Barclay seems really qualified for the job as he infiltrated Jimmy quite easily. I haven't seen much problems with this character apart from drug use(which doesn't seem to be extreme. He is quite functional and smart for the work).

Strike is facing quite a few problems of his own. But all 3 people are progressing with their own tasks, getting some intel or leads. I think it will all connect in the end.

I still have no idea about the mystery since the story hasn't gone that far yet. They still haven't determined if there was a murder so it's too soon to guess anything about that.
I am curious about Chiswell's secret though. It is something big and I want to know what it is! (hide spoiler)]

[Pushkar]

Hey you are welcome to join!
Have you read previous books in the series?

[[deleted user]]

No. I haven't. I haven't read many mystery books tbh. But this book got me interested and Kira was already in the BR so I thought I would join in.

It's a standalone, right?

[Pushkar]

I finished till 16!

The story hasn't picked up the pace yet. Nothing substantial around main story has happened yet and it is becoming little tiring to read ahead not knowing about the main case. I'm really curious about what might have happened in the past. The story told by Billy seems interesting.

I am also curious about what Jasper Chiswell might have done in past...something which is immoral but was legal previously but now has become illegal what could that be....

Also what do you people think, the Minister of sports is also involved in this, pulling the strings from behind the curtain??

I HATE her husband since his first encounter with Robin.

Let's see what happens and where is Billy

[Pushkar]

Pushkar wrote: "Hey you are welcome to join!
Have you read previous books in the series?"

It can be read as standalone I guess. Even though I have read previous books. I don't remember much from it so we all are on same page.

[[deleted user]]

It can be read as standalone I guess. Even though I have read previous books. I don't remember much from it so we all are on same page.

Cool. We will discuss it when you guys catch up.

[Kira]

I caught up till Chapter 19

Ha finally!!!

I am really hating Matthew with every chapter, why is he even heree. Robin should simply leave him tbh it's so clear they don't love each other and both of them lie in their marriage.

The book is a bit slow paced for my liking and I am finding myself getting frustrated at the slow progress. I want to see more of the Billy character and what happened in the past!

But most of these chapters were for the second angle of the story tying up with the first! I am curious to know Jasper Chiswell's secret and I was thinking infidelity but he is already on his third wife so god knows what he'd do with cheating six years ago, I was also wondering about homosexual angle...like maybe there are some pictures with another man and some homophobic people would consider it immoral?

[Kira]

Pushkar wrote: "I finished till 16!

The story hasn't picked up the pace yet. Nothing substantial around main story has happened yet and it is becoming little tiring to read ahead not knowing about the main case. ..."

I dont think she's involved tbh, only her husband is shady!

[Pushkar]

Kira wrote: "I caught up till Chapter 19

Ha finally!!!

I am really hating Matthew with every chapter, why is he even heree. Robin should simply leave him tbh it's so clear they don't love each other and both ..."


Me too!! done for today's part.

I also feel like exasperated at things not happening. They haven't yet given us the taste of it.

I thought of homosexuality too but then I thought how could it be legal and immoral in past and illegal now!!

You jumped to homosexuality cause of your recent read, Dorian Gray I suppose haha

[Pushkar]

Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "I finished till 16!

The story hasn't picked up the pace yet. Nothing substantial around main story has happened yet and it is becoming little tiring to read ahead not knowing about..."

i think she will have some role to play too. I bet that she will come into picture later for something maybe

[Pushkar]

Quick question

Do you people think anyone will die?

[Kira]

Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "I caught up till Chapter 19

Ha finally!!!

I am really hating Matthew with every chapter, why is he even heree. Robin should simply leave him tbh it's so clear they don't love each ot..."

i feel like......"PLEASE MOVE ALONG!!!" I want to know what happened in the past!

something that was legal and immoral in the past but illegal in the present - prostitution???

I think someone will come close to dying but no deaths possibly

[Pushkar]

Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "I caught up till Chapter 19

Ha finally!!!

I am really hating Matthew with every chapter, why is he even heree. Robin should simply leave him tbh it's so clear they do..."

Yeah that could be it!
But will he go to this length to cover the prostitution and also will it be such a strong point for Jimmy and Winn against Chiswell??

It has to be something dark. I am curious to know!

[Pushkar]

I am wondering if Bill will die!

[Pushkar]

I didn't like Robin and Cormoran's dynamic for starter they should have put that somewhere in between and should have just told us about the case instead at the start....at least a little bit

[Kira]

Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "I caught up till Chapter 19

Ha finally!!!

I am really hating Matthew with every chapter, why is he even heree. Robin should simply leave him tbh it's so ..."

Maybe because he's a politician and everything's a scandal with them? We neeedd to find out soon!!

[Kira]

Pushkar wrote: "I didn't like Robin and Cormoran's dynamic for starter they should have put that somewhere in between and should have just told us about the case instead at the start....at least a little bit"

I am just like please tell us about the mystery, about billy and the girl/boy who died! but the author keeps going on and on about robin and strike, it's getting irritating really!

[Pushkar]

Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "I caught up till Chapter 19

Ha finally!!!

I am really hating Matthew with every chapter, why is he even heree. Robin should simply leave ..."


Heyyyy
I completely forgot....

the last call from that man...judging from what he said I think it is not prostitution. It is something that resulted in the death of someone.

You remember when he said a man drops a mint and kid dies by choking on it. It has got to be death of somebody I feel

He didn't kill the person but his actions cause the consequence somehow.

[Pushkar]

Anyone play wordle here?
If yes spoiler alert, answer is below if you haven't solved it
I got today's word cause of Lethal White.
The description of one of the character was "Gecko like" and that was the word for today!

[Kira]

Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "I caught up till Chapter 19

Ha finally!!!

I am really hating Matthew with every chapter, why is he even heree. Robin should ..."
I was thinking along the lines of maybe someone committed suicide because of his actions!

[Kira]

Pushkar wrote: "Anyone play wordle here?
If yes spoiler alert, answer is below if you haven't solved it
I got today's word cause of Lethal White.
The description of one of the character was "Gecko like" and that ..."

I tried playing it once and could't understand what to do so i gave up lol

[Pushkar]

Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Kira wrote: "I caught up till Chapter 19

Ha finally!!!

I am really hating Matthew with every chapter, why is he even here..."


Yeah maybe suicide!!

[Pushkar]

Kira wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Anyone play wordle here?
If yes spoiler alert, answer is below if you haven't solved it
I got today's word cause of Lethal White.
The description of one of the character was "Gecko..."

Initially it seems complicated but once you get the hang of it, it is interesting. it's my boredom that kept me going I guess

[Pushkar]

You guys will hate Matthew even more. I don't know how I forgot such an important thing in previous book. i started watching series based on previous book just to summarize what happened and it is terrible. If you guys aren't gonna read the book you can watch the series it is 2 episode long and each episode is 1hr

[[deleted user]]

Pushkar wrote: "You guys will hate Matthew even more. I don't know how I forgot such an important thing in previous book. i started watching series based on previous book just to summarize what happened and it is ..."

I already hate Mathew as it is. I want the real story to start. I hope it doesn't stay like this until the end. To be honest, Mathew has very little significance and while I appreciate character backgrounds and relationships(which affect their capability), I am not much interested in their personal lives. I am optimistic that after a few more chapters, they will get to the main plot and keep their personal issues to a minimum or better yet, split them up!

But as you guys said, I would not like to see anything between Robin and Strike apart from work partnership or healthy friendship!

[Pushkar]

Abhishek wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "You guys will hate Matthew even more. I don't know how I forgot such an important thing in previous book. i started watching series based on previous book just to summarize what hap..."

Abhishek is like I dont give a darn what they do...if they break up or patch up or Cormoran kisses Robin or sacks her..it's none of my business I just want to know which kid got buried and who buried the kid xDxD

[[deleted user]]

Pushkar wrote: "Abhishek wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "You guys will hate Matthew even more. I don't know how I forgot such an important thing in previous book. i started watching series based on previous book just to s..."

I have already completed today's goal upto 26 chapters and I am VERY disappointed. Just for a while, I thought the story was progressing really well(like for 2 pages) and then it took a weird turn. Can't wait to rant about it when you guys catch up lol. xD

[Kira]

Upto Chapter 26

I am so frustrated with this book. Why isn't the story progressing? We get a handful of pages worth reading in 7-8 chapters. I am really disappointed.

[Kira]

Abhishek wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Abhishek wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "You guys will hate Matthew even more. I don't know how I forgot such an important thing in previous book. i started watching series based on previou..."

SAME SAME SAME

[Pushkar]

Do you guys wake up and just finish reading the day's chapters or what.

I feel missed out xD

And I too feel the same!

Is the book about murder mystery or romance between Robin and Strike. From the start it has been all about that.

Wouldn't it be better if JKR didn't include the love angle and just gave us the main story

[[deleted user]]

Pushkar wrote: "Do you guys wake up and just finish reading the day's chapters or what.

I feel missed out xD

And I too feel the same!

Is the book about murder mystery or romance between Robin and Strike. From t..."


Hahaha, Kira is a really a fast reader. I can never match half her speed. And I read whenever I can. During breakfast, while going to work and even at work when I get a few minutes of time.

It feels more and more about romance. I felt really weird about their kiss at the hospital. Even the whole hospital thing was too detailed for my taste(It's murder mystery for god's sake. Not family drama and romance)!

I will complete tomorrow's schedule as planned but if things don't get interesting, I am thinking about dropping this book!

[Pushkar]

Abhishek wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Do you guys wake up and just finish reading the day's chapters or what.

I feel missed out xD

And I too feel the same!

Is the book about murder mystery or romance between Robin an..."

Yeah she reads at amazing speed which gives me anxiety and inferiority complex. Every time I open goodreads I see she has another 3 books! I looked for an option to disable updates from your friends because of her xD (and I couldn't find it)
now you have joined her ranks.

When I finished reading today's part I just read first page of another chapter cause it was just right in front of the lat chapter so I couldn't resist and guess what it was again about Robin and Matthew's fight. And I dropped the book, I don't have it in me to read about that again today. I am more tired and frustrated about their relationship than Robin herself is. I would give Matthew divorce for her!!

Ohh and the kiss...yesterday I checked Lethal white on youtube and there was a trailer I opened it and in suggestion I saw another video with thumbnail of Robin and Strike kissing and I was dreading to see that happen in the book. I hope this was the scene in that video otherwise it will be so awkward if they actually kiss.

[Kira]

Pushkar wrote: "Abhishek wrote: "Pushkar wrote: "Do you guys wake up and just finish reading the day's chapters or what.

I feel missed out xD

And I too feel the same!

Is the book about murder mystery or romance..."

I'll catch up in the evening!

[[deleted user]]

I have dropped the book. I read a couple of pages into chapter 27 and I was done! You guys carry on :D

[Pushkar]

Abhishek wrote: "I have dropped the book. I read a couple of pages into chapter 27 and I was done! You guys carry on :D"

Hey you dropped it just when it was about to get interesting.
I read few chapters ahead and when the part 2 starts the real story begins.

If you start this later then you might again have to start from the beginning so I would suggest bear just the few more chapters and then it gets interesting.

I am not gonna read ahead now. I will follow the schedule now

[Kira]

I finished part 1

The story is indeed picking up, albeit slowly. I still didn't like the details with Charlotte and then Robin feeling jealous, feeling guilty about feeling jealous. It all seems so dramatic!

The last chapter for part 1 was the most intriguing! I wonder who killed Chiswell????

And also the placard Jimmy was holding with the black children! Do you think it's related to racism????

[Pushkar]

Yeah first part of the book seemed like romance novel.

I told you there is gonna be a death! Mystery novel gets interesting with death.
I didn't suspect chiswell would die. But I wasn't either shocked when he died. First while reading that part I thought if it is some ghastly statue that Chiswell put in his house then I thought is it someone whom Chiswell has killed. For a moment I thought if it is his son Freddie who actually hasn't died and on life support that they are describing in the scene but then they explained it is a dea man and that dead man is Chiswell.

Wanna take any guesses for who might have killed him? I don't have anything to say yet. need to read more can't think of anyone yet.

About placard I feel Jimmy was trying to give it the racial angle for outrage. I think chiswell did something which resulted in death of children indirectly. I am wondering if horses of chiswell are involved in it somehow. There is mention of horses again and again.

And Della I told you something fishy is there. She might not be involved in this but that woman is no saint! That was so gross!

[Kira]

Pushkar wrote: "Yeah first part of the book seemed like romance novel.

I told you there is gonna be a death! Mystery novel gets interesting with death.
I didn't suspect chiswell would die. But I wasn't either sho..."

YESS! I am finally getting interested again in the mystery. The start of so many things happened in the last chapters and I am excited to read all about it in the next part.

I suspected it was Chiswell from the start!!! And thank god nothing happened between Strike and Robin while near his dead body. That would have been so weird!

Della......I dont even know what to say about her, it's a 40 year age gap for god's sake. It completely grossed me out. I really hope this doesn't turn into some huge plot twist later on in the book!

[Pushkar]

WHHAAAAAT something between them at the crime scene....I don't even like the idea of it!

Yeah the age gap is gross but also she is blind and that dog is guiding her and is there. this whole thing was yuck for me! It felt weird to read through it. Both her husband and she are creeps!

I am suspecting that plot twist too let us see what happens.

By the way what Chiswell said to Aamir was on the label on the homeopathy pills so maybe the plot twist we are expecting will be there

[[deleted user]]

I have finished chapter 39!!

It seems like everyone had motive to kill Chiswell. Jimmy, Kinvara, Della (because she knew Chiswell will find dirt on her husband which could incriminate her and cost her her career) and even Raph. I don't know about Fizzy or her husband since we don't know anything about them yet. But I think it's difficult to make a guess about the killer at this time! It might have been someone else too.

It would be a really plot twist if Billy was actually acting and he was the mastermind behind all this LOL! :D

[Pushkar]

Abhishek wrote: "I have finished chapter 39!!

It seems like everyone had motive to kill Chiswell. Jimmy, Kinvara, Della (because she knew Chiswell will find dirt on her husband which could incriminate her and cost..."

I think Jimmy wouldn't have killed Chiswell. He wanted money and if Chiswell is dead he wouldn't have got the money plus he was under arrest. Kinvara? maybe maybe not. Della is possible but because of blackmailing her husband or something related to Aamir? the blackmail was just to neutralize the blackmail Chiswell wouldn't have made it public otherwise Winn would have made Chiswell's secret public too.


About Billy that's really an interesting point. if it happens it will blow my mind. It would be a really great plot twist!

I got so involved in the thought I missed my meeting xD
I hope story is really as interesting as we are speculating

[Pushkar]

I know we hate talking about relationships here but I feel Lorelei is too good for Strike. I kind of feel bad for her.

And what is Chiswell's secret I am dying to know. I thought Izzy will tell but again they haven't told us

[[deleted user]]

Pushkar wrote: "Abhishek wrote: "I have finished chapter 39!!

It seems like everyone had motive to kill Chiswell. Jimmy, Kinvara, Della (because she knew Chiswell will find dirt on her husband which could incrimi..."

Jimmy wanted money but it wasn't just about that. He was genuinely angry with Chiswell for something. He also marched with a placard which would have nullified his blackmail. Because everyone would know or at least speculate what Chiswell had done. We still don't know if he really was in jail after that incident. But Jimmy is less likely to be the murderer here I believe. He is smart but not calculating. If he had killed Chiswell, it would have been messy!

Izzy is almost sure that Kinvara killed him and that makes me almost sure that she didn't. Just intuition :D

Same with Della. An interesting suspect but too obvious. Aamir could have independently killed Chiswell but he didn't have much motive unless he really loves Della(Yuckkk).

Chiswell's secret is related to horses and children. And Jack O'Kent who used to work for Chiswell also has some significance to this secret I think!

[Pushkar]

Mmmm interesting point about Jimmy. very plausible!


I totally agree with what you said about Kinvara! If the one mentioned in the book as killer is an actual killer then it isn't a very good mystery. I ruled out Kinvara by same logic xD

Della doesn't seem obvious. She seems away from all this. Blind and is done good things and only thing that goes against her is alleged affair with Aamir but will she kill for it? so I feel she isn't the obvious one. But if there is some secret that we don't know of then that might be the reason she killed him.

And who is this Elspeth lady we still have to know.

Jack O'kent means Jimmy's father right?

[[deleted user]]

Della is shown too positive at first. She is blind since birth, her reputation is so good, everyone praises her, no scandals or corruption, she has done very good work in politics. It all sounds too good to be true. And then her affair with Aamir. But is that the extent of it? We only know about that affair because of one recording. What else could she be hiding? Her husband hides things from her(or believes that he does), does all the dirty work but why did she put Aamir with her husband? It all seems strategic. She is keeping tabs on her husband and Aamir is just a pawn she is using. But that's all speculation. I might be overestimating her! :D

Jack O'kent is Jimmy's father? I don't remember it being mentioned. I remember Raphael telling Robin about him and how scary he was. He didn't let him go into the barn saying it was dangerous for little boys I think!

[Pushkar]

Yeah I suspect same for Della. I also suspect if she her husband and Winn are all together in it. Why do I feel Winn knows about Della and Aamir.

Ohh that Jack O'kent. Sorry sorry he isn't the father of Jimmy. I thought Jack O'kent is Jimmy's father living on Chiswell's estate and worked for him. Jack O'kent is that scary boy who said weird things..I get it now. Yeah I completely forgot him. Maybe he can also be in the story.
I think Suki is the kid who died that is confirmed right? Raph said something like that

[Kira]

I wasn't able to catch up on this book at all today!!!! I'll read today and tomorrow's portion tomorrow itself!

[Pushkar]

Take your time nothing that can be considered as substantial progress has happened.

I read today's part!
At this point there are just lots of and lots question. The investigation has raised more questions in all direction. I'm waiting to discuss about it when you two finish!

I also finished watching the series of previous book. the scene at Robin's wedding is from previous book but I don't remember anything at all.