2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Alex was able to manipulate the warden, a prison guard and key inmates to do her bidding. Was it all plausible? Why or why not?

I thought it was a little over the top that she could blackmail a prison guard and also get a particular prisoner moved to her cell. I didn't understand how she could call the shots so easily.

Near the end of the book, the Warden seemed to believe Kim about the fact that Alex had framed Cassie for assault. I wonder why he believed Kim.

Again, it makes a good story but I don't think it really would have happened like that in a psychiatric facility. You have mental health experts and professional staff who would have been well trained and have the background on Alex Thorne. They would have had her number so manipulating all these people ... not likely.

Robin, Alex was able to manipulate all of these people after discovering their vulnerabilities. She in essence was blackmailing the guard and the warden. He believed Kim because he never really understood why Cassie would have behaved so inexplicably and have into Alex for fear of being sued. Kim’s explanation made more sense.

Lisa, Alex wasn’t in a psychiatric facility. She was in a regular prison so no one was trained for her level of mind games.

Alex did what Alex does best...manipulate people into first feeling empathy for her, using them and then blackmailing them.

It was a little over the top, but it worked because Alex has so much knowledge of the human mind.

It happens in real life with charismatic people who know how to manipulate others. How many times have guards helped prisoners escape? I remember watching a true crime show not long ago, the prisoner got messages to the outside through a guard. If I remember correctly John Gotti got rid of a witness in one of his trials the same way.

Yeah, money and manipulation goes a long way in our prison system.

Once again, I agree with all of you. Manipulation is a tricky thing and often backfires, but it does happen.