Sarah’s Comments (group member since Feb 19, 2009)

Sarah’s comments from the Profilers Crime Time group.

I'm 10 chapters into "The Sweetness," so about 1/3 done. I'm having conflicting feelings about the main character and narrator, Flavia de Luce. I know there are smart kids out there; she is one of the very smart ones that cause some adults to wince in annoyance, and others to marvel and coo.

I started reading this with a little bit of reluctance because know-it-alls make me want to wretch (see my Maisie Dobbs post). That's one reason I hated, yes, hated "The DaVinci Code" - Robert Langdon - I won't say anymore about that. One of my friends even warned me about Flavia. I say with a little bit of hesitation (I hope I don't jinx myself) that she doesn't bother me as much as I would've thought.

Flavia is arrogant and intelligent, but there is something else there that smooths out her abrasive edges. I guess I can take because she isn't perfect, as much as she would like to believe, since she does yell how she's the best while riding her bike. He main flaw is that she lacks social intelligence and is awkward around others. I don't mean to laugh at her in these situations, but it is in these scenes that makes her closer to a human and allows me to read on.

Anyone have any thoughts about this character? What do you think of the author, who is a 70-year-old man, creating an 11-year-old heroine detective?

Our group was able to "interview" Lyndsay Faye via e-mail. I will post the Q & A within the next few days. How great is it when an author shows a willingness to get involved with us lowly readers? :)

I'm not literate in the canon of Sherlock Holmes. I read one of his adventures in college as part of a British Imperialism class, so I'm not sure how true Faye writes as Watson. This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in awhile. I love that it feels more like an adventure than a grizzly serial killer novel. The characters are also witty, likable, and preturnaturally smart.

I thought I knew who did it - suspected the newspaperman, but I guess I was wrong. Who would doubt the great Sherlock Holmes?

Is anyone else creeped out by the characters? Leroy seems like the most demented one of all. He has delusions and sadistic fantasies. In saying this, I can only handle this book in small doses - and I'm not scared that easily.

The whole atmosphere of the book seems very bleak and superficial. One quote by March goes something like dark things hide beneath normal-looking facades. I think this sentiment is on display perfectly in this book. Most situations and people look normal, but they are all hiding something(s) from each other and those things are none too pleasant.

Christine Penmark doesn't trust her own daughter to tell the truth or do the right thing. The book doesn't say so far, but I wonder if this distrust always existed or only emerged after the Baltimore incident...

Mine too! I feel like a celebrity now that authors are tracking us down.

Grace wrote: "Sarah wrote: "The further I get into this book, the worse I feel about myself. All of them are so perfect. Goodness, the only reason anyone doesn't like Maisie Dobbs is because they are jealous o..."

Self-adoration is fast becoming a marketable skill, though. If I were Maisie, I would love myself, too. It's amazing all the stuff she can get done in a day, because it would be so easy for her to admire herself in front of a mirror, or make witty repartee (I can't even spell it) with Maurice & Lady whats-her-name all day. Does she? No. She shares her multitude of gifts with the commoners. If an angel ever fell to earth, her name would be Maisie Dobbs.

The further I get into this book, the worse I feel about myself. All of them are so perfect. Goodness, the only reason anyone doesn't like Maisie Dobbs is because they are jealous of how smart she is and her ability to learn to waltz in 30 minutes or less. What 15-year-old reads Kierkegaard? I can't even spell his name. She can even control her sleep patterns through the pinch alarm clock method. I need about 3 alarms to wake up at the 3 a.m. Oh, Maisie, if only I could be more like you.

Then there's her teacher Maurice. If I could only find a teacher like him to show me the way and teach me about all things under the sun. But, because I am not as smart or as kind as Maisie, he would never consider a mediocre student such as myself.

That Priscilla is something though - she's someone I could be friends with, except for the fact that she's rich and my wardrobe probably isn't up to snuff. And of course, I’m not as pretty or as smart or as witty as Maisie Dobbs, which is probably the only reason Priscilla would stoop down and let herself become friendly with someone from the working class.

And then there’s Simon…he is from the upper-class and falls as madly in love with Maisie on first sight. But who wouldn’t? She is loved; no, make that adored by all who are lucky enough to even catch a glance of her across the muddy London streets.

Doesn’t do much for my self-esteem, though. I now realize what a flawed person I am. When faced with conflict, I will now ask myself, “What would Maisie do?” since a more perfect character will be hard to find.

I've only read the first two chapters of the first book in the Gennaro/Kenzie series and now I remember why I picked it. I read Gone, Baby, Gone last year not knowing it was the fourth book in the series, but I just couldn't put it down. For all their roughness, Angie and Patrick are such endearing characters and I can't wait to read the rest of this book because I want to read them all.

Well, now that I know who killed David, I'm kind of in shock & at the same time disappointed; don't know if I buy the explanation given. I have to say that I was really surprised that both cases were wrapped up in the last 50 pages of the book. I thought I would have to read the sequel to find out what happened to D. Gamble.

Anyone else find it creepy that Rhodes was sleeping out on Lena's deck? I know he was trying to protect her, but if he was truly sleeping, he wouldn't have been able to hear anyone approaching with the fire burning near the house. Couldn't he have just set up some traps and sat in his car like a regular sting operation?

I seem to be more intrigued by the mystery of who killed Lena's brother, than I am with the Romeo killer. There seems to be a lot of drama in the story and the author is glossing over this element in favor of the more horrific murder scenes.

I know Rhodes believes Holt killed Gamble, but I'm with Lena and Novak for now in believing he did not. I'm curious to see how all of these pieces fit together.

Ok, I just have a few questions before I read any more of this book. 1.) Why does Hannay let some strange man into his apartment without any type of inquiry? I know this happened years ago when times were slightly different, but were they really that different? 2.) Why would Hannay let this fellow remain in his house after he is told a fantastical story complete with a dead body and a government conspiracy? 3.) After all this, why does Hannay give this strange(r) a straight razor "to shave?" Very bizarre & unsettling.