2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

PECCAVI
The Latin word is scrawled in blood at the scene of a young woman’s brutal murder: I HAVE SINNED. It’s a chilling Christmas greeting for Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli, who swiftly link the victim to controversial celebrity psychiatrist Joyce O’Donnell–Jane’s professional nemesis and member of a sinister cabal called the Mephisto Club.

On top of Beacon Hill, the club’s acolytes devote themselves to the analysis of evil: Can it be explained by science? Does it have a physical presence? Do demons walk the earth? Drawing on a wealth of dark historical data and mysterious religious symbolism, the Mephisto scholars aim to prove a startling theory: that Satan himself exists among us.

With the grisly appearance of a corpse on their doorstep, it’s clear that someone–or something–is indeed prowling the city. The members of the club begin to fear the very subject of their study. Could this maniacal killer be one of their own–or have they inadvertently summoned an evil entity from the darkness?

Delving deep into the most baffling and unusual case of their careers, Maura and Jane embark on a terrifying journey to the very heart of evil, where they encounter a malevolent foe more dangerous than any they have ever faced . . . one whose work is only just beginning.

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Jane Rizzoli: Homicide detective with the Boston Police Department (BPD). She’s the only female and is partnered with Barry Frost. She’s 34-years old, married to Gabriel Dean and mother of their daughter, Regina.
Maura Isles: Medical examiner who Tierney recruited a year ago. Nicknamed Queen of the Dead by the Homicide Unit. She has shoulder length black hair with blunt bangs.
Gabriel Dean: FBI agent and Jane’s husband, father of their daughter, Regina.
Angela Rizzoli: Jane’s mother.
Frank Rizzoli, Sr.: Jane’s father.
Barry Frost: Homicide detective with the BPD and Jane’s partner.
Darren Crowe: Boston Police Department homicide detective.
Eve Kassovitz: Boston Police Department homicide detective. She recently transferred from Vice.
Ben Lyall: Boston Police Department officer and Eve’s boyfriend.
Marquette: Lieutenant over the homicide unit.
Dr. Abe Bristol: One of Maura’s colleagues.
Yoshima: Maura’s medical assistant.
Lawrence Zucker: Forensic psychologist.
Erin Volchko: Police criminalist.
Father Daniel Brophy: Priest from Our Lady of Divine Light.
Joyce O’Donnell: Neuropsychiatrist who has an unhealthy interest in serial killers and murderers. She still visits Hoyt (the Surgeon) and Maura’s mother.
Lily Saul: Peter and Amy’s daughter, Dominique’s cousin.
Dominique Saul: Monty’s son.
Montague (Monty) Saul: Dominique’s father, deceased.
Margaret Saul: Dominique’s mother.
Peter Saul: Monty’s brother, Dominique’s uncle. He’s married to Amy and father of their two children, Lily and Teddy.
Amy Saul: Married to Peter and mother of their two children.
Teddy Saul: Peter and Amy’s son, Dominique’s cousin.
Anthony Sansone: Leader of the Mephisto Foundation.
Edwina Felway: Member of the Mephisto Foundation.
Oliver Stark: Member of the Mephisto Foundation.
Gottfried Baum: Member of the Mephisto Foundation.
Jeremy: Sansone’s butler.
Sarah Parmley: Murder victim.
Lori-Ann Tucker: Murder victim.
Giorgio: Owner of an antique shop in Siena, Italy where Lily worked.
Paolo: Giorgio’s son who also works at the shop.
Sandie Huffington: Frank’s “friend.”
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Spoiler Info
(view spoiler)[
Lily thought she killed Dominique years ago but he escaped and found his mother.

Edwina is Dominique’s mother.

Eve Kassovitz was murdered.

Maura and Daniel sleep together.

Joyce O’Donnell was murdered. (hide spoiler)]