2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Your thoughts about Maggie's relationship with her husband, Greg? Whose the villain here..him, her or both of them? Does their relationship stand a chance?

Who's the villain here? I lean toward not seeing their marriage as a 50-50 [or 100-100] relationship, so I blame him in the first place as seeming to be so shallow that he sees her as what she can do for him, primarily. Why Maggie married him is a question that has its roots in the past that is mostly hidden from us.

She is definitely not giving up her career for him; did they discuss this aspect before marriage or in the early days? He certainly is not portrayed as putting her health and welfare before his own.

They clearly have serious communication issues. How in the world did Greg not know what Maggie went through with Stucky??? How could she not tell him? And how dare Greg ask her to quit her job, make a career decision for her.

She said they had common goals and ideals when they first married. It seems they both drifted in different directions. I think they both have contributed to their marriage's demise. Noodling around with Nick wasn't a smart thing for Maggie to do.

I'm wondering how well they knew each other when they first got married. He was more or less using her as a trophy wife. He wanted her to have an important job title, but not be away from him to do her work. He wanted her to always be presentable to his clients and friends. She didn't dare go for a jog and sweat in front of the neighborhood.

I don't know if either of them are to blame. I think they just don't know each other well, don't communicate, and really don't care about the other person at this point.

That sounds about equal to me, Robin, which is where I landed.

Jonetta wrote: "They clearly have serious communication issues. How in the world did Greg not know what Maggie went through with Stucky??? How could she not tell him? And how dare Greg ask her to quit her job, mak..."

My thoughts exactly Jonetta. I found it very hard to believe that he didn't know anything about Stucky.

"Noodling around...." Had me laughing Jonetta!

Lol! I was loathe to call it anything more.

They are both to blame for the whole situation and don't see it working out. I think her throwing him out of the hospital room may have been the last straw.

Jonetta wrote: "They clearly have serious communication issues. How in the world did Greg not know what Maggie went through with Stucky??? How could she not tell him? And how dare Greg ask her to quit her job, mak..."

I thought the same thing! How did he not know?

Yeah, I fault her for not telling him and Greg for not knowing!!!

I think both of them are to blame, a marriage can only work if there is communication between husband and wife.

I always hate when you read books where the main character is a fbi agent,or police and the husband/wife complains about dangers or long hours, i would like to read one where they supporting them, but i guess you need conflict!!

I don't know about fiction, but my mother was an elementary school secretary some decades ago. Of of the teachers was married to an FBI agent, and every once in a while, Mother answered the school telephone to pass on a message to the teacher that her husband was OK. Apparently, when things were going on in the field, he had a plan in place for his wife to be notified. That's something nice to think about in real life, at least. Maybe someone knows a case where this is true in fiction????

Viki wrote: "I think both of them are to blame, a marriage can only work if there is communication between husband and wife.

I always hate when you read books where the main character is a fbi agent,or police ..."

Good point.

Viki wrote: "I always hate when you read books where the main character is a fbi agent,or police and the husband/wife complains about dangers or long hours, i would like to read one where they supporting them, but i guess you need conflict!! ."

Agreed. This always makes me think for Hotch and his wife in Criminal Minds. She resented the time he spent at work and it eventually led to their divorce.

Good example, Lauren. Though it did bleed over to her...

I dont think that their marriage will work out ever since Maggie is doing the career she enjoys and her husband doesnt want her to do it. I can understand always being afraid that she might not come back to him since she could die. He just seems to be really controlling and not try to work it out. He told her if she left it would be over instead of telling her his feelings about it. He didnt try to work it out.