2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

The Van Damm family as a whole had odd reactions after learning of Alicia’s death. Did you start to form some deductions at this point? If so, what were they? What did you think was Cornelius’ involvement?

I've read lots of stories where a wealthy, old-money family cared more about scandal attaching to the family name than they did about finding out the truth so I wasn't too surprised by their lack of drive to find the murderer. I think at this point I was expecting it to be an unsuitable suitor who was involved, to sort of parallel what happened to Sarah's sister.

I had the same thoughts, Veronica, even suspicious that Cornelius might have given the okay to have her murdered. Mina was always in the mix, thinking she was involved in some way because of her disinterest. The mother was just a mess and I thought she was clueless. Hah!

I really wish the mother had been taken to task more for her part in everything. She knew what her husband was doing.

They were certainly a strange family. Cornelius was very hesitant to involve the police. He didn't want to pay the police to do their job, but had no problem putting up money to recover the family jewels. The mother was in a cloud of drugs and I figured she had no idea what was going on with Alicia. Mina was definitely on my radar. I figured she knew things she wasn't telling.

I’ve mixed feelings about Francisca. Cornelius obviously had a thing for young girls, starting with her. In that era, what options do you think she had, up against a powerful man who was keeping her drugged? I really don’t know.

He certainly had all of the power in the relationship. Her options were very limited. If she accused him of molesting their daughter, he could have sent her to Bellvue. She would also keep quiet because of her friends. They probably wouldn't rally around her if she caused a scandal (even though it wasn't her doing).

That was my thinking, too.

I also initially thought it was a suitor who raped Alicia, but as the story progressed and Mina's behavior became stranger, I realized what was going on and suspected Mina.

The murder was even more horrific given that Alicia was actually her daughter and that she was jealous of her. Really sick!

Robin wrote: "He certainly had all of the power in the relationship. Her options were very limited. If she accused him of molesting their daughter, he could have sent her to Bellvue. She would also keep quiet be..."

Agreed. But how sad that she valued her doped up prison of an existence over the justice of her daughter (and granddaughter). All because of scandal.

I realized pretty early on what was happening. Mina was so dismissive of her mother and acting more like a wife to her father.

I knew that Cornelius had been abusing his girls, but I think it was when it was first mentioned that Mina left school early that I knew Alicia was hers.

I suspected Mina of murdering Alicia, but couldn't get passed the fact it was a man seen leaving. I need to think outside the box more!

Oh, you’re good, Monica!

I got sidetracked when Sarah mentioned that Mina left school when her mother had the baby and interpreted that literally...after the baby was born.

I don't know if I would have caught that had Sarah not mentioned her sister being shipped off to France.

The most disturbing thing about Francisca is how she sounded happy that her husband had started directing his attentions elsewhere, even if that meant her daughters(/granddaughter). Drugged rambling or not, that was so wrong.

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "The most disturbing thing about Francisca is how she sounded happy that her husband had started directing his attentions elsewhere, even if that meant her daughters(/granddaughter). Drugged ramblin..."

Yes, exactly!

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "The most disturbing thing about Francisca is how she sounded happy that her husband had started directing his attentions elsewhere, even if that meant her daughters(/granddaughter). Drugged ramblin..."

Yes!

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "The most disturbing thing about Francisca is how she sounded happy that her husband had started directing his attentions elsewhere, even if that meant her daughters(/granddaughter). Drugged ramblin..."

I’d forgotten about that. Blech! It also bugged me how happy she was with all of the attention she gained after everyone else was dead.

I knew at the beginning of the story that the family had something to do with the murder of Alicia, but i never guess how twisted the family was. It was until Francisa talked to Sarah that I had an idea.