2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

We see Alex Thorne in action at the onset and know she’s playing evil games with her patients. Was it better to expose this early or might it have been more suspenseful if we’d been in the dark for awhile?

As the title Evil Games suggests one of the major plotlines of this novel is Alex toying with her patients putting the suggestion into their minds and then how it plays out. And then how she tries to play Kim and lure her into her evil web for her own sociopathic reasons. So for the reader seeing Alex in action is an important part of the development of the storyline. It wouldn't really work the same way and would be a very different novel if it is was a mystery.

** The Doctor's name is Alexandra Thorne.

Don’t know where I got North! Have it correct in the character list. Go figure.

I considered what the story would have felt like if we’d had to work harder at guessing why these people were suddenly willing to commit murder. But, it didn’t take long for the murders to become secondary to the story and Alex’s desire to manipulate Kim the primary plot. The dynamics shifted and it became a game of wills, though it took a while for Kim to realize she was in one.

All I can say is, Alex completely creeped me out!

Jo Ann, she ranks as one of the most evil villains I’ve read in a long time. The fact that she came across so acceptable and authentic made her even scarier.

That moment when she took Malcolm’s sister aside and threatened her was just chilling. Her personality could turn in seconds, all with a pleasing look on her face.

She was scary.

Someone who is psychologically evil is worse than a straight-up murderer. Her machinations had me squirming. Had this been a movie, I'd have been watching through splayed fingers!

Revealing Alex playing with her patients early seems to highlight her evilness in my opinion. I was thinking this is a doctor playing with the minds of people who came to her for help.

I agree. She is one of the most evil characters I've read. It made me wonder about someone like her in real life. I'm with you Jo Ann. If this was a movie I'd be watching ready to turn away in the blink of an eye.

Great point! I think I would have closed my eyes in a theater, too. What made her even more frightening was her ability to fool everybody. It was like watching an out of control train that no one realized was headed for disaster. All alarm systems completely off.

I agree with Lisa. The story is more about the dynamic between Alex and the other characters, especially Kim, than a whodunnit.

Lynn wrote: "I agree with Lisa. The story is more about the dynamic between Alex and the other characters, especially Kim, than a whodunnit."

Good observation. I'm more of a whodunnit fan than psychological thriller so maybe that's why this is my least favorite book to-date in the series (I am currently reading b9).

I usually don't like knowing who the villain is from the beginning of the book, but it worked for this story. Showing us Alex's manipulation of her patients was truly scary.

Alex is definitely one of the most evil villains I've come across. Her psychological games are even moe insidious than any physical harm she could cause. She truly enjoys driving people to the brink and pushing them over.

My concern for Kim's state of mind was very real in this book. It only works because Alex's true nature is revealed at the beginning though. The reader is aware of who she really is while the other characters take her at face value although Kim's suspicions were raised early on.

Glad I’m not alone in thinking Alex is one of the most evil.

I loathe Alex! Someone in her position abusing her power over these fragile patients is just despicable. I liked that readers knew what she was doing early on. I think it was essential for the story to play out the way it did. And as soon as she set her sights on Kim - I thought omg...this battle is going to be epic. And it was. I also feared for Kim's sanity - in many ways she is fragile - almost teetering on the edge. In other ways, she's one of the strongest characters I've met. And her matching wits with Alex in the end was a fantastic scene. I only regret that Alex is still breathing.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I loathe Alex! Someone in her position abusing her power over these fragile patients is just despicable. I liked that readers knew what she was doing early on. I think it was essential for the stor..."

I felt that fear too.