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Lethal White
Group Read - Lethal White
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Group Read - Lethal White chap 12-24 Spoilers Welcome
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Chapter 12 (Robin preps for undercover in the House of Commons) Hazel colored contact lens and background information on the Chiswell and Winn families occupy Robin's weekend (along with fighting over her job with Matthew) She's prepared with details on Della and Geraint Winn and Jasper Chiswell's children: Sophia, Isabella and Freddie and much younger wife, Kinvara. Izzy will be in the office with her father.
Chapter 13 (The House of Commons)
Robin is excited to be undercover in Westminster Castle for her assignment as Venetia Hall, Chiswell's goddaughter. Izzy greets her and passes on the listening devices. Izzy knows why Venetia is there but doesn't spill the beans on the blackmail intimidating it is inconsequential because it wasn't illegal at the time. Aamir Mallik who works for the Winns is less than friendly. When Robin meets Garaint Winn he greets her with a salacious leer that sparks a severe panic attack.
Chapter 14 ( Strike drives to interview Jimmy's wife, thinks of his sister Lucy and their life growing up with mom, Leda)
Chapter 15 (Robin and Jasper in the House of Commons, an uncomfortable conversation with Della Winn)
Della mistakes Venetia with another Venetia who was on the fencing team with her own daughter and Freddie Chiswell,not a pleasant encounter - will it unmask Venetia?
Chapter 16 (Strike in Manchester interviewing Jimmy 's ex wife)Dawn gives a few more details about Billy, sweet, troubled; and Jimmy, dishonest and a womanizer. She connects the Knights' father to Jasper Chiswell from a job on the estate.
Chapter 17 (Robin undercover as Venetia in the House of Commons)
Robin finally gets inside Geraint Winn's office but not alone, the smarmy Winn and Aamir are there.
Chapter 18 (Strike gets reports: Barclay connected with Jimmy, Robin trying to plant devices)
Things continue to be tense between Matthew and Robin
Chapter 19 (Venetia plants the bug, Raphael, full scale panic, threats)
Finally Robin feigned losing her bangle and plants the bug. Startled by Jasper's son Raphael back in the office she has a panic attack. A caller makes threats.
Ann - I’ve read the first 2 parts. But I had to put the book on pause. I’ll pick the book back up again on Monday.
It is a long one Geri! I found myself slowing down a bit to savor it. Crazy, right? Lol.
Geri wrote: "Ann - I’ve read the first 2 parts. But I had to put the book on pause. I’ll pick the book back up again on Monday."
Ann I was doing the same! But so hard to slow down when it was so good
Chapter 20 (Robin Strike a pub and the listening device)The listening device pays off. Geraint Winn talks about the blackmail over the phone with Jimmy Knight and Aamir got cozy with Della. Jasper Chiswell dismisses his wife's fears about digging on their estate.
Chapter 21 (House of Commons surveillance with Rafael hovering)
Robin is unable to listen or retrieve the listening device with Rafael around. Robin has to tell Strike no for weekend surveillance on her anniversary. Jasper confronts Raff with a Latin quote and argues with his wife Kinvara who visits the office, eyeing Robin.
Chapter 22 (Strike on surveillance ending in injury)
Unhappy to not have Robin to take the surveillance of Jimmy Knight, and the protest march; Strike overhears Jimmy and Flick argue over other women and head off to see Billy. Strike falls heavily and injured has to resort to calling Lorelei for help.
Chapter 23 (the paper anniversary weekend)
Starting off with an argument about her job...it was miserably unhappy for Robin who faces no longer loving Matthew, but acquiesced to sex for the first time and professing I love you with hollow intent.
Chapter 24 (six days later on crutches)
Strike returns home after spending five nights at Lorelei's place and refusing to respond truthfully to her I love you. His more extensive experience with women probably gave him the strength to resist. (Or perhaps that he is male) Dodging multiple calls from his sister Lucy when she gets through he rushes out the door.
Robin makes me nervous when she hovers around the office of Garaint Winn. Strike makes me nervous when he pushes his leg too far. The situation with Matthew is becoming untenable (ok past it really but I can see why Robin keeps trying and wish she wouldn't)
Ann- agree!! Robin anywhere near Geraint Winn’s office makes me immediately nervous and tense, like just waiting for the whole thing to be blown. Perhaps I’m not giving her enough credit with her skill level, as I can only compare her to what I would imagine would be my reaction in those scenarios, which would be nervous panic. Re:strike and his leg- also agree there, though he’s just so stubborn, and male, that I can see him just constantly pushing it to the extreme too often, though wish he wouldn’t.
And I also agree regarding Robin and Matthew. I appreciate her trying but it’s just so obviously unfixable. It gets me so irritated when I see her letting him speak to her like he does, all the false claims he assumes about her and strike (though granted she clearly is contemplating her connection with Strike more obviously now) but how he disrespects her in those arguments, like she would ever act how he accuses her to be acting. Mathew is by far my least favorite character, too self important and arrogant.
Karly: exactly! Matthew is a complete idiot. If he was a decent human being he would realize he could have Robin as his partner if he respected her and allowed her to have the career she wants.
In a way it’s good he isn’t a decent human being because he doesn’t deserve her and Robin will hopefully figure him out and make the break with him that he does deserve.
Thanks for the summary, Ann. With my taking a break, I need it to refresh my memory.I agree about Robin and Matthew. And how their relationship is doomed. Strike and Lorelei are a little better. At least Strike did not say he loved her when she said it to him. I feel badly for Lorelei. It can’t be easy being in a relationship with Strike.
Geri- definitely. Strike can’t be an easy partner. He’s so stubborn and clearly has some residual damage from Charlotte
Karly and Geri: Strike does have residual damage from Charlotte and a strong tendency to be a loner, probably stemming from his childhood too, I think. Karly wrote: "Geri- definitely. Strike can’t be an easy partner. He’s so stubborn and clearly has some residual damage from Charlotte"
Agree with all the comments about Matthew and Robin and Strike and Lorelei. I can't help but worry that Rowling will leave us with another cliffhanger at the end, with Robin leaving Matt and not telling Strike. I hate cliffhangers, especially around relationships. Reminds me of the Julia Spencer Fleming series. Whatever happened to those I wonder?
I am also very nervous whenever Robin enters Winn's office to monitor the recording devices. She is going to get caught, or further arouse Aamir's suspicions. He clearly doesn't like her at all although I can't figure out why.
Carol: Indeed! those espionage moments in the office of Winn were heart-stopping! I am also perplexed at the animosity Aamir displays towards Robin. Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I am also very nervous whenever Robin enters Winn's office to monitor the recording devices. She is going to get caught, or further arouse Aamir's suspicions. He clearly doesn't like her at all alt..."
When Robin entered Winn's office, did anybody here feel like breaking into Umbridge's office and using her chimney for communication with Sirius? These were always the most thrilling moments, could hardly stand it ... (I suppose I can assume knowledge of Harry Potter here.)
Sybotes:?Yes! Both similarly thrilling moments of great dread if caught! Sybotes wrote: "When Robin entered Winn's office, did anybody here feel like breaking into Umbridge's office and using her chimney for communication with Sirius? These were always the most thrilling moments, could..."
Sybotes wrote: "When Robin entered Winn's office, did anybody here feel like breaking into Umbridge's office and using her chimney for communication with Sirius? These were always the most thrilling moments, could..."Ha-ha! I did not have that response at the time, but I know what you mean Sybotes!
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