2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

In summary, what are your final thoughts about this story? Any other insights/comments you'd like to make?

What a super debut novel, first.

I'm still wracking my brain to figure out what I missed when I was reading this book. Hence, the lack of insights.

I do have questions: e.g., what (besides publicity) motivated the previous sheriff to look so shallowly at the evidential differences between the Jeffreys case and the other two murders? Who did plant the evidence against him? What roles did the deputy sheriff and the seminary drop-out custodian really play in this story?

Will any answers be forthcoming in future stories, or did I miss entire chunks of answers? [I had been watching our grandson and was very tired when reading this book; is that it?]

The ending was indeed murky.

Here's what I gathered. Eddie planted that evidence in Jeffrey's car. I believe he was told to do so by Tony. But, he really did seem to know about Keller's behavior. Why he was complicit, I don't know. Tony just wanted the limelight in closing the three cases. But, it was never explained why Keller stopped killing and resumed after such a long time.

The ending was just bad. Even Timmy recognized Keller but no one seemed to have really interviewed him.

Its been a while since I read the book but remember enjoying the story and Maggie's character in particular. I must say that the plots get better as the series progresses.

Nick was such an annoying distraction but I was enjoying the story in spite of him. I thought the suspenseful scenes were great and the build ups excellent. It's when we drifted into these "romantic" elements the story would hit the ditch.

There is very little focus in the series on Maggie's romantic life. That's why I classify them as thrillers and not RS.

That's great to hear! The romance aspects were a huge letdown and distraction. I'd shelved the series as mystery/suspense so was surprised to find so much romance emphasis.

I thought the romance aspects of the story were an afterthought. It's almost like the editor told the author she should add in a romance to appeal to more readers. We had the usual looks between the two of them, brushing hands, etc., but I never knew what they saw in each other.

Perfect way to describe it, Robin.

I agree completely Robin. I am glad to hear that the series doesn't focus on Maggie's romance. I do like a bit of romance but in this case I felt it was there for the sake of being there.

Jonetta wrote: "The ending was indeed murky.

Here's what I gathered. Eddie planted that evidence in Jeffrey's car. I believe he was told to do so by Tony. But, he really did seem to know about Keller's behavior...."

Jonetta, these were also the iffy conclusions I made when reading, but I thought it was just me feeling left in the dark at the end :)

I was definitely expecting Timmy to say something and Father Keller to be caught. I was disappointed.

BTW - did anyone else notice the name of the radio station? A serious book with a disturbing story line and the radio station is KRAP. It seemed so out of place.

Melissa wrote: "A serious book with a disturbing story line and the radio station is KRAP."

Nope, I didn't notice that, lol!

I didn't notice it either! Maybe it was supposed to be rap for talking...think the author did this purposely?

I thought this was a pretty good book. You could tell that this was her first book. I will defintely read more of the series especially since there was a cliffhanger in this book.

The ending sure does make you have questions?????? I dont like cliffhanger endings but I did like the book enough to move forward to the next book.