2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Kim and Bryant go to the boys’ school and meet with the headmistress and the oldest son’s teacher, Liam Docherty. Did he do anything at the time you found suspicious or unusual that would make you think he wasn’t who he said he was?

No, not at this time. He seemed very personable and obliging so that probably should have been seen as a red flag in retrospect.

Liam didn't send up any flags at this time, but Jacob did. He went on my list as soon as he left the classroom to make a phone call.

Liam seemed very straight-forward to me. Nothing he did made me question him. Jacob leaving the room to make a call was very suspicious.

This was a tad confusing? At this stage of the book, who we thought was Liam was really Jacob? And then later on it was Liam who committed suicide but this was a red herring and it didn't have anything to do with the murders? Have I got that right?

My only question was why he would prefer to continue to be a substitute teacher and not want a class of his own. I know he explained it, but I didn't believe his explanation.

Lisa, It wasn't a red herring as such as Liam/Jacob is the murderer. We didn't know he lied about who he was, but you got it right.

Lynn, it seems plausible to me. I used to long-term substitute when my kids were in elementary school. It was like a temp job; two weeks here, three weeks there. I enjoyed going to different schools so Liam's explanation seemed realistic.

Yes, Lisa, you got it right. The man we thought was Liam was really Jacob. He came and talked to Kim & Bryant when the headmistress went out of the room. They were happy he did because they thought she would block them.

I never sensed anything weird except with who I thought was Jacob (the man who fled). The real Jacob snookered me.

Sharon wrote: "Lisa, It wasn't a red herring as such as Liam/Jacob is the murderer. We didn't know he lied about who he was, but you got it right."

Thanks ladies. Yes, Sharon that is right it wasn't a red herring as much as a misdirection so the real murderer could throw Kim and the reader off the scent.

I was suspicious about "Jacob" leaving so quickly at the time. Later on, when he became the prime suspect, I had my doubts because I already thought "Liam" was the real killer. It turns out I was half right, lol!

Sharon wrote: "Lynn, it seems plausible to me. I used to long-term substitute when my kids were in elementary school. It was like a temp job; two weeks here, three weeks there. I enjoyed going to different school..."

There was a woman who was a retired teacher that would do that too.