Crime Detective Mystery Thriller Group discussion

Nancy Bush will be joining us on December 15th for our group read for her book I'll Find You.

I have read several books by Nancy Bush and enjoyed them all.The first one is CANDY APPLE RED follow by a couple of others in the same series. I like her very much. Nancy Bush

Sue wrote: "That's great that the author will joining us on the discussion. I have not read anything by this author, but I am looking forward to this read as 'romantic suspense' is my bag.

I have read that L..."

Didn't know that. Hopefully, Nancy Bush will talk about Lisa Jackson.

Betty wrote: "I have read several books by Nancy Bush and enjoyed them all.The first one is CANDY APPLE RED follow by a couple of others in the same series. I like her very much.[bookcover:Candy Apple Red|32800..."

I believe you elected this book Betty so I'm glad that we're going to read it. Hope you'll join us for the discussion.

Same here. Hope you enjoy the discussion Domonique. I'll be interested in hearing about this genre of romantic suspense. It's been a long time since I've read a book in this area.

Picked up the book yesterday, hope to start it by the end of this week.

Hi, all,
Glad to be a part of your discussion group on I'LL FIND YOU, my latest thriller. I'll check in a few times a day and answer questions. Betty: So glad you like CANDY APPLE RED! That series is seriously being considered for television. I signed with a production team last spring, and we've been working to put it together ever since. As they say....tune in tomorrow....
Nancy Bush

Sue: Yes, Lisa Jackson is my sister. Many moons ago I read an article in TIME Magazine about young mothers making money writing romance novels. I told Lisa about it and said I think we can do this. She told me I was crazy, but then a few days later she typed up the first few pages of STORMY SURRENDER, a manuscript we ended up writing together. It was rejected all over the place and never sold, but it gave us the writing bug and the belief we could finish a project. After that we wrote separately until the launch of our Wicked Series in 2007. We write that series jointly and Book #4, WICKED WAYS, is on the stands now.

Glad you can join us for our discussion. I'll be reading the book tonight.

read this back in the summer and i really love it I am a big fan of both Nancy Bush & Lisa Jackson. I am always reading books from these two lol

Feel free to join in on the discussion. I'm trying to figure out the term Romantic Suspense.

Yeah, Romantic Suspense... I'd say, since my sister and I started out in romance and began adding in suspense elements, our genre became Romantic Suspense. Over the years we've definitely ramped up the suspense level, but we always try to have a clear hero and heroine who either end up together or are heading that way.

Thanks. The book is off to a great start and I could feel the tension with Laughlin and Callie. Lots of questions need to be answered since all this is mysterious so far. Should I take a guess and say that they'll be getting together or is it me wanting them to get together? Too early to tell.
I guess that if I were to think of a movie which had romantic suspense then it would be Romancing the Stone with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. I enjoyed that movie.
Looking forward to reading more your book tonight.

I started it last night and know this is one I will finish quickly, it already grabbed my attention.

Glad you're liking it so far. The main characters in I'LL FIND YOU are kind of a throwback to old romance -- woman on vacation accosted by stranger who both frightens and intrigues her -- but the mystery/suspense plot is more the direction I'm taking today. I like creepy, mysterious, psychological thrillers, and I try to put those elements in my own books. I'm looking for that "what the heck is really going on here?" question that I love reading in other novels.

I would more than agree on that and as a group, we always seem to be attracted to psychological thrillers. I'm also wondering what is going on with Callie and Teresa so this is a great start.

I've had great reviews, and the kind that send you under your bed with a pillow over your head. I've learned that as a rule, people who dislike books are quick to review them on Amazon, but most of the people who like the books don't bother. They might send me a quick note on Facebook or Twitter, which is great, but they don't generally stop what they're doing to review my books. They're just too busy. So, even though bad reviews sometimes make me want to cringe, I don't really pay a lot of attention to them. However, if one of my true fans contacts me personally and has a gripe, I definitely listen to them. These are the people who know and like my writing and when they have something to say, I pay attention.

I'm 40% done with the book. Enjoying it so far. How is everyone else doing?

The book shifts in point of views. That usually throws me off but it seems to work here so far since this is a puzzle of a mystery being drawn together through several characters. It does make me wonder what the heck is happening here which keeps me reading the story.
As far as Andre's character is concerned, he seems to be a cult figure. I've never understood how people have a hold on people either but there have been examples of cult figures doing this so I think that the challenge here is to see how Andre will have a hold on their people or handmaidens in this case, which isn't a great term to me either but it's a term that Andre has come up with. I would say that he's the repulsive character for coming up with that term.
I kind of agree on the first meeting with West & Callie but part of me wonders if this is all part of the romantic suspense theme.
I guess we'll see what happens as the story continues.

Yes, Andre is very Charles Manson-like in his relationship with the handmaidens. A lot of running on base emotion rather than any kind of intellectual thought. He's got his own code of behavior which is definitely repugnant, but Andre scenes were always interesting to write. My fans tend to love a really warped, bad guy, and so do I!

Well, Manson wasn't the first one that came to mind for me but now I understand how it fits. He still is the scariest of the cult figures. Thanks.

Could be the key to this Sue. I guess we'll see how this turns out.

This might be an interesting article to think about as we're reading this book about women being more likely to join a cult than men.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/wome...

In the article, I voted with the majority which was I have no idea.

I just picked up this book today and hope to start it after hubby and I get back from seeing The Hobbit. I've read some books by Nancy before. Nowhere to Run got 5 stars from me.

Domonique wrote: "I'm about 17% of the way through so far and I am really liking it! I read multiple books at a time so it may take a little longer than others to get through it, but after I finish, I might have to ..."

I read multiple books at a time as well Domonique so I know where you're coming from. Glad you're enjoying the book. I'm interested in the connection with Callie and Teresa as well.

Sheila wrote: "I just picked up this book today and hope to start it after hubby and I get back from seeing The Hobbit. I've read some books by Nancy before. Nowhere to Run got 5 stars from me."

I'll have to remember that Sheila.

Well, I'm finished with I'll Find You. Lots of twists and turns with a great plot and an ending which kept me on the edge of my couch. A gripping story indeed.
I have my reasons for going with four stars which I'll post later on in my review after we're all done reading this book. It's a minor reason and I think it has to do with the romantic suspense genre but I think we should have a great discussion about this book. Tremendous book. I really enjoyed it. For those of you who are still reading the book, I think you will enjoy this book as well and there should be no complaints about the ending.

Okay. Did everyone like the way the author told the story with a shifting viewpoint?

Just as a side note in case you may or may not know this. In the 1940's and 50's, there was a pulp fiction writer named Bruno Fischer. He wrote a lot of stand alone psychological thrillers in his day such as The Lady Kills and So Wicked My Love. He also wrote a detective series with Ben Helm and his wife, who was a movie star.
In any case, when he wrote this series, it was in a shifting viewpoint and he would put the names of each person in the beginning along with a time and a date before the chapter started. Not saying I have a preference but Just thought I would mention it in case there are other people who read his books. I'm a big fan and always enjoyed his books.
There was another story called The Big Clock by Kenneth Fearing. He wrote each chapter from a different point of view.

Louise Erdrich does the same in all her novels.

I've been meaning to try out Louise Erdrich. Thanks for letting me know.

I think that Lisa Jackson writes this way also. I remember that from her book, Without Mercy.

Mary Higgins Clark kind of does this with several different stories being told by different people as they go about their day. They are seemingly unrelated but you know that as the end nears all these different people are going to come together for the finale.

I've been meaning to read Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. I met both of them many many years ago at a MWA function. Saw Michael Connelly but didn't get to meet him.
I happen to like it when writers use a shifting point of view because I think you get a lot more out of the characters when this is done. Thanks for mentioning Mary Higgins Clark.
Actually, in the book I'm reading now, The House Next Door by Lionel White, there is a shifting point of view with different people in the neighborhood.

With MHC books they are more several different story lines that converge rather than several different peoples perception of the same event though.

Ron wrote: "I've been meaning to try out Louise Erdrich. Thanks for letting me know."

Ron, she is sensational, but she needs to be read in order, especially her firt three novels.

Sheila wrote: "Mary Higgins Clark kind of does this with several different stories being told by different people as they go about their day. They are seemingly unrelated but you know that as the end nears all t..."
I have always read MHC, and have continued through the years. BTW, Michael Connelly is probably my best author.

Skye have your read by Michael Connelly ? I just read it this week. A great standalone by MC I couldn't put it down.

I read it in a couple of hours. I loved it. I also adore Harry Bosch.

Skye wrote: "Ron wrote: "I've been meaning to try out Louise Erdrich. Thanks for letting me know."

Ron, she is sensational, but she needs to be read in order, especially her firt three novels."

I will do that. Thanks.

I'm not sure how far people are into the book but I would like to know what you like about it so far. I really enjoyed the book and want to know what your thoughts are. Since this is the first book that I have read by Nancy Bush, I want to know from other fans what your thoughts are in comparing this book to other books as well.

I think that something needs to be pointed out in these discussions. I had tried to point this out to Sue in a private message but I could not get through so I would like to say it here.
I don't have a problem with an honest debate or constructive criticism. If you're unhappy with a book, then that is fine. If you have reasons for it, then that's fine as well.
My feeling here is that there is an opportunity to do this but since Nancy Bush is here, we have a chance to learn from her. So, for example, I noticed in reviews on goodreads that the term handmaidens was not considered a good term. It's fine to feel that way but you do have the opportunity to ask the author why she used that term and see the answer you can get to that.
The point I'm making is that we're reading a book and we have the author with us. This is our chance to get a perspective on why the author wrote the book the way he or she did. Instead of being unhappy that we didn't discuss Callie as a car crash survivor, find out from the author why she chose that route. You might find that there was a reason for this. It's your chance to find out.
That's what's important here. if you remember, Elizabeth Little had a Q&A with us and gave us her perspective on why she created the characters the way she did. That's what's important here in these discussions each month whether your a writer or a reader who wants to get more out of a novel. As a writer, I know that it has helped me and it can help you as well.
From my perspective, I have learned a lot at these group reads because of all of you and the authors that appear here as well. Keep in mind that this is your opportunity to have a learning experience here as well and ask questions and find out things about the books that you're reading that you didn't know about before.
Anyone know what indirect characterization is? You might find that out here when you have one of these authors with us.
Let's get back to our discussion.

Sorry Ron, I apologize for getting off topic in my posts above.

I agree that it is a great opportunity to find out the inside creative side of why and how things are done with plot and characters. I've been on GR for 4 years and have never had the chance to actually question the author.

On the other hand, I was not offended by Sue's post. I didn't agree with it but feel bad that she evidently deleted it and won't respond to you Ron.

Hi Sheila. Sue chose to delete her post. I did not ask her to delete it. I did ask her privately for her to be sensitive to other people about posting comments in the future. As I pointed out earlier, this is a learning experience as well and there may be reasons why Nancy Bush chose to write the book the way she did. Getting answers from her would be a learning experience.
Just for the record, I will never ask a member to delete a post. I don't delete posts either unless I feel there is a reason for it but even then, I would discuss this with Julie. Both of us believe that as members, we encourage you to debate and be constructive and civil.

I totally agree Ron. Thanks. I'm just finally starting the book and look forward to participating in the actual discussion of this specific book.

I look forward to hearing your comments Sheila as well as everyone else that is here. I hope that Sue will be back to post comments as well and we hear Nancy Bush's thoughts on her book.

Unfortunately I was waylaid in my reading of the novel by some Christmas books and have just recently gotten back into it. I am very much enjoying the story told from the different perspectives. I am now beginning to see where and how they merge together. I love the whole doppleganger idea of Callie and Teresa, it adds an interesting side to the story and obviously without it, the story would not have existed. I too enjoy romantic suspense and have never read anything by Nancy Bush, but have several on my bookshelf. I am wondering where the inspiration for the whole "Messiah" thing came from? I can't wait to keep reading to see where this story takes us.

Thanks Domonique. Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm glad you're enjoying the book. As I said before, I really enjoyed the ending.

Carla wrote: "Unfortunately I was waylaid in my reading of the novel by some Christmas books and have just recently gotten back into it. I am very much enjoying the story told from the different perspectives. ..."

Good point on the Messiah Carla. I would like to hear that as well. I think the cult aspect of the book was interesting too and that was the reason I posted that article from the UK paper.

Not sure if anyone here is a fan of Andrew Vachss. He wrote a series of books on a private detective named Burke and his huge dog named Pansy. Burke would be involved in cases with child abuse and domestic violence and other issues as well.
In any case, I met him many many years ago when he was signing books at an event. He had this huge Rottweiler with him so I guess I know where Burke's dog came from.
I was talking to him because I told him I really liked his books but there were times when I thought he was really dark in his stories. He just shrugged his shoulders and said well, that's the way my fans like my books and whenever you read any of them, that's what you will expect. Just something to think about.