2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

We get the killer’s point of view throughout the story. How was it helpful, if at all?

It was really helpful, but really creepy and unsettling...

It was helpful in narrowing down the suspects and it also ratchets up the tension.

Agreed. It was creepy reading in places.

It was very helpful in understanding if law enforcement was on the right track and in deducing the killer. And, yes, it does increase the tension.

It was very helpful. The reader learns so much about his life through these chapters. Why he does what he does and what his dad did. You can almost sense the killer unraveling.

Melissa wrote: "You can almost sense the killer unraveling."

Exactly!

It was crucial to the telling of this story for me. It gave us "his story" to a point, but even more, it showcased his immaturity imo. His thought process, his loss of control, his ramblings - all spoke of a young, immature killer to me. It made me start looking at every character, assessing them, their background, their manner of speaking & dealing, - adding it all to my profile.

Since Brandon was introduced really late in the story, I struggled with the group of characters we knew and was coming up empty for the exact reasons you include as the killer’s profile...nobody fit.

I really like characters introduced earlier...and then we at least have all the players and an opportunity to analyze and come up with our best guess as to who's the killer. I'm not really a fan of the "late intro".

I’m not a fan of characters introduced later either. I guess that’s why I didn’t suspect Brandon.

Yeah, this was a weak element of the story, IMO.

Jonetta wrote: "Yeah, this was a weak element of the story, IMO."

I agree! It almost feels like a "cheat" on the reader imo. Give me all the players early on and let me figure it out. :)

I agree with introducing late characters that are then revealed as the killer. It is poor planning. Brandon could have at least had a minor appearance early on when Carina went to speak to his brother at the beach bar.

Lauren wrote: "I agree with introducing late characters that are then revealed as the killer. It is poor planning. Brandon could have at least had a minor appearance early on when Carina went to speak to his brot..."

I agree, Lauren. A much better way to handle the character.

Ditto.