CJ: You can't really say
this is a nail biter, but it has a definite pull! I'm finding myself reading
ahead in this book that on the surface seems a little bland, but takes you
twisting and turning through with people who seem quite unlikely in the setting
of a murder.
FM: Some people read
mostly or even exclusively Mystery novels, and presumably don’t get jaded on
this sameness of approach book after book.
There is an element of puzzle-solving for the reader that these readers
presumably get hooked on, trying to guess how the ending will play out –
figuring out “Who Done It.” For me, it
feels like too-familiar territory and I’m ready for the plot to suddenly veer
into an entirely new direction, fearing that it probably won’t. Hess’ special brand of humor continues to add
a lot, but it can’t really carry the story by itself. Something totally unexpected needs to happen,
not just new information coming to light.
CJ: The shifting drama
between the old Druids, the potentially psychopathic Roy, and the normal daily
teen drama with Caron keeps me turning pages.
I can kind of relate to Claire. Plain & boring, but way too much
into everyone's business without realizing it. Her attempt to corner Roy from
his apartment to Fern's duplex makes you wonder why she didn't just stop
looking? Something is driving her to find something she may not really want to
find.
FM: One device that
seems to be a favorite among Mystery writers is to bring in a sub-plot, a
secondary story completely unrelated to the plot of the Mystery itself. This book is no exception; in fact we are
treated to two of these sub-plots. One
of them involves Claire’s teenage daughter, Caron, who can be a real parenting
challenge.
CJ: I have acquired a new
favorite saying from this one! "Dealing with teenagers can be like
building a castle with dry sand". I've
been searching for those exact words for years!
FM: Caron has hired
on at the mall to help with the Santa Claus kiosk, where small children line up
to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. This is, in fact, the sole aspect of the book
relating directly to Christmas. She gets
involved in a legal wrangle for picking up a lawyer’s child and the worst seems
about to happen.
CJ: I particularly
enjoyed the "Willie Wonka" Violet scene at the mall! How many times
have I wanted to correct a poorly parented brat in public! I was cheering for
Caron, despite the fact that I knew that a child that spoiled would spell
serious trouble. Then the inevitable happened. Another twist in a book with
more turns than a hog’s tail!
CJ: A little part of
Claire brings to mind Peggy Hill. Like Peggy, she seems to imagine because she
somehow ended up in a murder investigation in the past & her boyfriend is a
policeman that she now has super sleuth powers. I wonder when Peter is going to
confront her involvement in this one? Speaking
of Peter, the ex-wife entering the picture was a nice twist. I could almost
feel the hackles go up when that announcement was made!
FM: These sub-plots
are engagingly dealt with and interesting enough in their own right; but I
still get the feeling that they are “filler” designed to help flesh out an
otherwise thin plot or to break any possible monotony or jadedness the reader
might be experiencing with the standard Mystery plot devices. Here’s hoping for big surprises to come – but
whatever happens, I can recommend this book very highly!
CJ: Good call,
Foreverman! I was thinking, how about a little Tarl Cabot for old time’s sake?
FM: We’re certainly on the same page about doing some sci-fi/fantasy
for January – I’ve wanted to do that anyway! I would like to defer the Gor
novel (Tarl Cabot’s series) until February if everyone’s cool with it, so we
can read Kevin J. Anderson’s "Clockwork Angels" in January, as close
to Rush's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction as possible. [“Clockwork Angels” is the newest CD by Rush,
and the book mirrors the story line depicted in the album lyrics!]
Next week's Chapters: 9-12
Next week's Chapters: 9-12
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