Books and Jams Readalong discussion

What are you thinking now? Has anything surprised you? Any characters you like or can't stand? How are you getting along with the writing?

OH man. I cannot wait until you guys get to this point! I have so many things on my mind! So many questions.

I was definitely starting to get paranoid about Brian right along with Rachel. He seemed like such a great guy, so encouraging and loving. But it did seem too good to be true.

I am kind of over unreliable narrators, but go back and forth with Rachel. She seems unreliable at times but she's also really picking up on things too. It's keeping me confused, which I kind of like.

I have never dealt with anxiety or panic attacks, so I'm not one to talk about the accuracy of Lehane's descriptions of Rachel's mental illness. But he does paint a good picture. I can see and feel and empathize to a degree. For example, on pg 138 at the top he's describing how she perceives the outside world like a storm cloud. "It sucked her up into its swirl, spun her, and then spit her out of its maelstrom before moving on to its next victim." I'm loving his descriptions. What do you guys think of this aspect of Rachel's character?

what?
What?
WHAT?

currently: Chapter 20.
I am all over the place. This book is all over the place.

OH MY GOSH! The ending of part 2 was cray-cray!

Brian's the dead husband, not Sebastian... hahaha. I should have known they would get divorced. Boy, Rachel's agoraphobia really spiked during this part. I sensed a little foreshadowing when Melissa says she doesn't know Brian at all. And now Rachel finds out the truth. I can totally understand how she would feel like she was in a virtual reality world.

And when I read that chapter when she followed Brian and he met the woman at the doorstep and kissed her pregnant belly my heart just dropped.

I am totally digging Lehane's writing style in this book. It is super fast paced and attention-grabbing. Very different from Shutter Island and I like this book more. Can't wait to see what more unfolds in the next part!

OMG!! What the heck just happened?? My mind is all over the place....this is crazy! And I'm still trying to figure out what is going on. This is so great how you get little bits and pieces thoughout the story. I think using Rachaels anxiety attacks are great red herring for what is really going on.
I can speak to personally having and being treated for anxiety attacks. My attacks were no where near as debilitating as Rachael's were but I did experience the flutter of my heart and pulse rate. It's actly how he describes it. That's how I found out I was having anxiety attacks. I thought I was having a heart attack and was rushed to ER only to find out through many test, I was having a panic attack. I, like Rachael, didn't want to go out in public but not because I feared anyone but I just didn't know when my attack would occur. I didn't have a specific trigger, it just happened randomly and I didn't like being away from home when it would happen so I perferred to stay home. But with medication, my attacks were controlled and after a year I was able to slowly come off my meds and I haven't had an attack in over 10 years now. So, I believe his description is most likley spot on for someone with severe panic attacks.
But wait, what was Brian and Caleb up to? Notice how Caleb was so upset that Brian went into the camera store. I wonder if they were getting fake passports from there...but why...what are they running from? Is the other wife who is pregnant a real wife or for show? Was he using Rachael for something, did he really have genuine feelings for her while he lead some secret life? Why did Brian say to Caleb he should have never had a wife and child and Caleb responded...but you can! I want to know! LOL!
I did love Rachel's determination to follow Brian and see what he was up to. I loved she finally got the courage to check him out when things didn't add up. Caleb is still alive so will he come clean or draw Rachael into something dangerous? This is such a great read!

Now that I've finished it's fun looking back here and seeing what you guys think! There are definitely red flags along the way. I also loved Lehane's writing style in this book. Definitely kept me interested.

Thanks so much, Patricia, for sharing your experience with panic attacks. It did feel very real to me as I was reading and I appreciate knowing your take on it. Sorry that's something you've had to walk through.

Thanks Krista! ❤

Wow this was edge of my seat exciting.! First off I couldn't imagine not being able to leave the house. I was loving Brian and how he was so patient, darn why did he have to go and blow my perfect image of him. I still was shocked by all the twists and turns. Mely I so agree about the foreshadowing of not knowing Brian. It seemed like after that was when all the action started and the curiosity from Rachel as to little things that happened. Also how she figured out that he really wasn't in London. The whole receipt thing and the way the date was written on it. I would have never looked that deep into the receipt. I think once I saw it said a place in London I would have been oh ok he was there.
Kudos to Rachel for that one.
The way this part of the book ended wow I knew she shot her husband but not in the way it happened. I mean there was so much she still needed to find out and to be able to pull the trigger that ultimately kills the man you love. I know it was to protect herself but I am not sure I could do that. yikes.
I really am loving the book the way the author writes keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Wendy wrote: "Wow this was edge of my seat exciting.! First off I couldn't imagine not being able to leave the house. I was loving Brian and how he was so patient, darn why did he have to go and blow my perfect ..."

I remember loving Brian too but having a feeling things were too good to be true. It was good to see her come out of her comfort zone. And yes! I was definitely on the edge of my seat with this one!!

great input Wendy!