2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Olivia’s former partner, Sarah Restin, is in a really bad marriage but is reluctant to leave her husband for a number of reasons, one being because of her faith. Did you believe James could help her or was Sarah hopeless? After Olivia saw Leo in the church, was he a possible suspect in your mind?

Yes, Leo was a suspect once it was clear that he was in New Orleans. I don't think Sarah was hopeless, but more of a model of the typical behavior of some women that seem to stay in a marriage because they feel trapped or are in denial.

Sarah seemed to be determined to remain in her marriage because she did not want to be alone.

I doubt James could have helped her because you can only help someone when they want to be helped and Sarah was not there yet.

Leo was my first suspect. I could see him develop as the killer.

I know there are still people who won't leave a bad marriage because it isn't accepted by the church, but there are too many ways to get around that these days. Sarah didn't want to leave her husband.

I did think that James could talk to her about options. Let's face it, he has first had knowledge of being a cheat and betraying someone you are supposed to love and/or admire.

Sarah was frustrating. I could understand being reluctant to divorce because of your faith but this bum didn’t even respect her enough to try hiding his infidelity. It’s hard to give up on a relationship you’ve been in for years so I understood it was hard. Like Lauren, I didn’t think James could help her because after talking to her, he didn’t think he could help her.

I was more suspicious of Leo but didn’t consider him a suspect. No good reason, just didn’t think a cheater would consider himself The Chosen One.

I was wondering why the characters of Sarah and Leo were brought into the story. I briefly entertained the fact that Leo was the murderer but he didn't quite fit. And yes, many people stay in bad marriages for all sorts of reason including religious ones.

Lisa, I also questioned Sarah and Leo’s roles in the story. They just felt like distractions.

I agree. They didn't add to the story in my opinion. Even at the end Kristi was enough to get Olivia to fight her brother. Sarah was just another person who took up story time.

The ending was the only time I liked Kristi. She didn't give up and helped Olivia fight.

Sharon wrote: "The ending was the only time I liked Kristi. She didn't give up and helped Olivia fight.."

Yes, I liked that about her too. She has potential.

Sarah never really jelled for me. She was all over the place with what she wanted and how she felt. I never really figured out what she saw in Leo to make her stay with his cheating ass. The whole vow thing is an excuse because even the Catholic Church doesn't make a woman stay with a man who commits serial adultery. I think James was as helpful and he could be, but I think Sarah was just plain hopeless. I never thought of Leo as a suspect.