2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Reed’s partner, Sylvie Morrisette, doesn’t seem to be taken seriously in this story. Your thoughts about this character and the author’s decisions about her?

To me, she wasn't that different from the first book. She is still abrasive and rubs her colleagues the wrong way and remains preoccupied with her ex-husband and her kids.

I agree Lauren. She seems the quirky secondary character that never gets her own story told.

I’m waiting to see her be shown as a decent detective. The other stuff is just color and distraction. I hate that the only female detective is portrayed as a caricature. Shame on Jackson.

I think it was overplay with her and her husband. That is all that is brought up about her and her troubles. Author does not delve into the fact if she is good at her job or not. Seems she is most interested in finding another husband

Jonetta wrote: "I hate that the only female detective is portrayed as a caricature. Shame on Jackson.."

Yes, this is very annoying and unnecessarily stereotypical.

I liked Sylvie in the first book. I thought she added a little humor and tough girl exterior with a good heart. This book turned me off her. I'm not sure what is going to happen with this character in the future.

You're right Jonetta, it is a shame that she is turned into a caricature.

Now that Jackson has come back to the series with a book 4 after a number of years time has moved on with the Me too movement and the portrayal of women super heroes carrying their own movies for example. Maybe Jackson will revisit Morrisette as a character and develop her or provide some insight into what makes her tick. Not redeem her as such but expand her to more than a caricature. I think that would be great.

One can hope, Lisa. In this book she was portrayed as unimaginative with poor instincts and man hungry. I’m not sure the MeToo movement influences that with a female writer but maybe Jackson has become more sensitive to how women in male dominated careers are stereotypically portrayed.