2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

We learn more about Kim’s foster parents, Keith and Erica Spencer. How did her experience with them shape her? How did her loss of them indelibly change her? Do you feel you have a much better understanding of not only the woman but the leader? How so (or not)?

Keith and Erica showed her that she can be loved and she can love. It also showed her that love is temporary. For every good experience is negated eventually.

I do believe we learn a lot about Kim. Why she doesn't associate with the team outside work. Why she has a hard time with relationships. It all comes back to a mother who tried to kill her and did kill her brother then losing the only two people who loved her.

Going back into Kim's past is a way for the reader to understand what makes her tick. Why she is so passionate about her cases and has problems with socialisation with other people. And what a past, no wonder she has developed these coping strategies to live with some truly horrible things. Thank goodness she had Keith and Erica come into her life even for that brief time to show her some of the good things in the world. And how cruel that they were torn away from her so suddenly. But it makes me think of the old adage.. " It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all".

Agree with Lisa that her past is what makes her tick. Before reading this I saw several negative reviews on how much they hate her character, and I feel different I love that she is unique and broken. Tinkering with bikes is what gets her head on straight. She bends the rules but with a good reason and she had a short spell with people that really loved her.

Shelby wrote: "Agree with Lisa that her past is what makes her tick. Before reading this I saw several negative reviews on how much they hate her character, and I feel different I love that she is unique and brok..."

Wow, people hate her character. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I don't think they have thought about her back story. And her interactions with her team and even how kind she was to Lucy shows that all is not lost for Kim. I think she is really interesting. Her personality and learning more about her is just as important as the murder plots for me.

Lisa yes! and I cant wait to delve further into this series

I was surprised to read how many people didn't like Kim too. I don't get it.

Her foster parents #4, Keith & Erica, taught Kim unconditional love and gave her hope. Their untimely death also taught her to not trust that it will last. But that little sliver of life was enough to make her resilient and develop coping skills. I think she’s remarkable.

Kim doesn’t form social relationships because she believes that eventually something will cause them to go away. She keeps people at a distance except for those that manage to worm their way in. The pain of her foster parents’ loss had to be almost unbearable. She does everything to make certain that doesn’t happen again.

Remember how she ditched her last relationship because he left his toothbrush at her house? That was telling because to her it signaled a developing attachment. She ran.

I'd like to read the guy that would actually make her commit he would have to be very patient.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Going back into Kim's past is a way for the reader to understand what makes her tick. Why she is so passionate about her cases and has problems with socialisation with other people. And what a past..."

I agree with you also, Lisa.

Jonetta wrote: "Her foster parents #4, Keith & Erica, taught Kim unconditional love and gave her hope. Their untimely death also taught her to not trust that it will last. But that little sliver of life was enough..."

I wonder if somewhere through the series Kim will have a romantic relationship? We will see.

Kim is an amazing character. Her strength of will and determination is incredible considering what she has been through in life. I've never understood those reviews that harp on about her being unlikable - to each his own, I guess.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "I wonder if somewhere through the series Kim will have a romantic relationship? We will see. .."

Lisa, I have no idea but certainly think she should. It would make for fascinating reading.

Lauren wrote: "Kim is an amazing character. Her strength of will and determination is incredible considering what she has been through in life. I've never understood those reviews that harp on about her being unl..."

It’s easy to just stay on the surface and dislike what you see. There’s so much depth to this character it’s impossible for me not to admire her.

FYI, I worked with a woman who was a lot like Kim. Just about everyone disliked her but we became good working colleagues and friends. She was incredibly smart, didn’t suffer fools and was direct. I never had to guess her true meanings and it was refreshing in the corporate world. It was my job to manage the implementation of her directives (she was the regulatory attorney for my company) and develop workarounds when they were onerous.

I was her “Bryant” even though I didn’t work for her. It’s the best way to describe our relationship. When I resigned, the first thing my boss said was. “ Who’s going to manage dealing with her???” That woman kept our company out of trouble, created a healthy relationship with regulators and made me smarter. She improved our company’s reputation, too. Yes, I later learned her backstory and what made her so prickly. But, it never mattered.

I am surprised that anyone reading this series would dislike Kim. she is the series. There is such depth in her character and I am sure there will be more to her character as the series continues. Without her the series would be flat.

I guess it's what ever as a reader you are looking for when reading police procedurals. Especially with a longer running series I need some depth and backstory in the characters otherwise all the horrible details about the murders become overwhelming. The characters' interactions while their solving the crime is just as important as the crimes themselves.

I'm with you Lisa. If I get into a series I need a good backstory to keep my interest. A lot of readers like the superficial because they don't want to think. A character like Kim makes the reader wonder and dig deeper.

Jonetta, Thanks for sharing. I worked with a "Kim" too. We were never close outside work, but she is one of the best mentors I ever had. She taught me how to be a better manager and how to manage a project.

~Teresa wrote: "I am surprised that anyone reading this series would dislike Kim. she is the series. There is such depth in her character and I am sure there will be more to her character as the series continues. ..."

I'm surprised by the same thing, Teresa. Kim is the series. Without her it would be a flat police procedural. Her character makes the series.

Sharon wrote: "Jonetta, Thanks for sharing. I worked with a "Kim" too. We were never close outside work, but she is one of the best mentors I ever had. She taught me how to be a better manager and how to manage a..."

Funny how that works out, right?

Jonetta wrote: "FYI, I worked with a woman who was a lot like Kim. Just about everyone disliked her but we became good working colleagues and friends. She was incredibly smart, didn’t suffer fools and was direct. ..."

I had a teacher in high school that was like Kim in many ways. When I had her, it was her first year teaching in a public school after leaving the convent. She was unemotional, direct, and very businesslike. I learned more from her than any other teacher I ever had.

Lynn wrote: "I had a teacher in high school that was like Kim in many ways. When I had her, it was her first year teaching in a public school after leaving the convent. She was unemotional, direct, and very businesslike. I learned more from her than any other teacher I ever had...."

I think we’re seeing a pattern here...

I agree. There is a pattern.