Monica’s Comments (group member since Dec 29, 2014)

Monica’s comments from the 2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 group.

Veronica wrote: "Monica wrote: "I'm glad Sarah has the mind of a detective, but I wish Frank hadn't missed or neglected so many avenues of the investigation. I think that affected my opinion of him too. And I think..."

I think it's a fine line between making the male detective/police officer look slow by not making connections or making him appear condescending/patronizing by already knowing them either before or the same time as the female amateur sleuth.

I should add that I love disliking a character in the beginning, only to have the author sway my feelings through more reading. That's something I always enjoy. So I'm looking forward to it!

Veronica wrote: "But I really started to like Frank when he refused to drop the case even when ordered to by his superior...."

Yes, I definitely (begrudgingly) respected him for that.

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "The most disturbing thing about Francisca is how she sounded happy that her husband had started directing his attentions elsewhere, even if that meant her daughters(/granddaughter). Drugged ramblin..."

Yes!

Great discussion topics, Jonetta!

I don't know if I would have caught that had Sarah not mentioned her sister being shipped off to France.

I enjoyed this book. It was a good introduction for me into a new series. I'm really looking forward to our next read. I'm also interested to see how long it takes Frank to change my mind about him.

I agree with you all, I don't think Frank could have solved the case without Sarah.

I think I actually realized Cornelius had been molesting Mina first, and so it was just built upon from there.

Although I suspected Mina, I did not actually think she was the one that committed the murder. Like I said before, the man seen leaving the boarding house shut that down for me. But looking back, Mina was described as being tall, and Frank had drawn the comparison to himself. That should have been my first clue.

I agree, Lauren, very clever. And the author does it so well, that it was at least believable to me.

My first thought was also cerebral palsy, Robin.

I'm still out on Frank. And I love a gruff hero with a tragic love story! He just hasn't done anything for me yet to change my mind on my initial feelings.

But I liked Sarah immediately, and that never changed. I just grew to respect and like her more throughout.

I'm glad Sarah has the mind of a detective, but I wish Frank hadn't missed or neglected so many avenues of the investigation. I think that affected my opinion of him too. And I think it was only three times that he hadn't already thought of something that Sarah had, but those three measly times obviously stuck out to me.

I realized pretty early on what was happening. Mina was so dismissive of her mother and acting more like a wife to her father.

I knew that Cornelius had been abusing his girls, but I think it was when it was first mentioned that Mina left school early that I knew Alicia was hers.

I suspected Mina of murdering Alicia, but couldn't get passed the fact it was a man seen leaving. I need to think outside the box more!

Robin wrote: "He certainly had all of the power in the relationship. Her options were very limited. If she accused him of molesting their daughter, he could have sent her to Bellvue. She would also keep quiet be..."

Agreed. But how sad that she valued her doped up prison of an existence over the justice of her daughter (and granddaughter). All because of scandal.

Robin wrote: "I found this article on Teddy Roosevelt and his time in New York. A lot of the points in the article were included in this book.

https://www.thoughtco.com/theodore-ro......"

I read this one, too, during my google search lol. It's an interesting article. Thanks for sharing it, Robin.

I knew there was corruption, but had no idea it was as bad as it was (buying promotions). And I didn't realize Roosevelt was Police Commissioner or part of the reform. I had to google it all, and loved that author stayed fairly historically accurate.

That also didn't occur to me, but looking back, it makes total sense.

Lol, I do that sometimes, too, Veronica. Then you can at least say you had an idea it was that person ;)

I agree.

What I like about this series, from what we've seen in the first two books, is that Harris depicts the grimier, grittier side of Regency England. I'm used to ballrooms and grand gardens, so I love this look at the other side of England. It makes the story come more alive to me.

Tracey wrote: "I don't think they'll let it go so easily.... She would know too much."

Those are my thoughts, too.

I was too, Tracey! Lol.

What I loved about their reunion was the emotion from Tom and that, even though Lovejoy reminded Tom of his place, Sebastian allowed him to run to him and hug him. I think it shows a deep level of caring these two have developed for one another.