The Shadows We Hide (Joe Talbert #2)

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

This thread is to discuss The Shadows We Hide, the second book in the Joe Talbert series by Allen Eskens.

Pages: 352 pages

Length: 1 month (February)

Participants: Jannene, Lorraine

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 }.

Here are some questions to help get the conversation started! Feel free to look up discussion questions specific to this book or come up with your own. Just make sure any questions that contain spoilers are under spoiler tags.
Discussion questions are not required but may be a fun way to talk about the book and get to know each other!

Prior to starting:
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

Mid-read:
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?

After reading:
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

[Jannene]

Lorraine, I just got this from the library. I am going to start early.

[Lorraine]

OK. I got it before leaving for my vacation. I’ll join you tomorrow. We have a few hours travelling from Monteverde to Quepos, so I should be able to read. Looking forward to it.

[Lorraine]

I’ve read 3/4 of the book. I will probably finish around the 1st as we have two days of tours ahead of us. I cannot say the story has me hooked even though I am curious to know if Joe really found new family members. But I have to say the way the author chose to present Joe’s as a child of an alcoholic is so accurate it’s almost scary. It will be interesting to see if Joe will see and understand that he also might need help. I wonder if Max will show itself in this story.

[Lorraine]

I’ve also finished the book and agree with your rating. The story was interesting and I was surprised by who the killer was. But all of Joe’s self doubt or sometimes the lack off, was a bit too much. What did you tought?

[Jannene]

I came here to mention that I finished the book. (view spoiler)[There were times where I didn't like Joe very much. I didn't like how his girlfriend is studying for the bar exam and he's like here watch my obligation, my brother and I'm going away to find out if that was my dad. I also didn't like how he started getting friendly with the barmaid. He never even said he had a girlfriend and lead her on. The more he learns the more money hungry he becomes.

I understood where he was coming with his mother and was surprised that he gave her another chance. I wonder if it was so he could have another avenue for his brother.

To bring his brother to the city to do more investigation was selfish. He could have put it all on hold. Instead, he brings his brother and then leaves him KNOWING that his bad uncle is next door and knows that he has custody of his brother. How did he not see that coming??

Then to celebrate, he doesn't call his girlfriend and leave a message. Instead he goes to the bar and tells the barmaid and Charlie by bragging and knowing that it was going to cause a reaction from Charlie.

I just didn't know Joe throughout this book. I was surprised that he shared the info that his dad did indeed kill his stepmom knowing that he would lose all of that money. I didn't think he would be a 'good man' and come clean.

It was convenient that his dad's only possession that he had prior to the marriage was his car and Joe desparately needed a car.

I was glad that his girlfriend took him back. Glad that his mom is clean and able to watch Jeremy. (hide spoiler)]

I'll be interested to see how the relationship goes in the next book.