2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

When Kim meets Alex for the first time, her instincts tell her something is “off” about the woman. What do you think Kim was sensing or did she have a special instinct based on her own past?

It does seem interesting that no one else professionally speaking has picked up on Alex's sociopathic tendencies. She obviously has a brilliant mind and is able to mask these which I believe is what a sociopath does. Why does Kim pick up on it? Is it because of her intelligence or does Alex let her guard slip because she senses something different in Kim which she finds fascinating. Or maybe Kim being around her mother who although had a different mental illness makes her intuitive to unusual behaviour.

Good points, Lisa. I think being in care and the relationship with her mother makes Kim more intuitive to others, but I lean more heavily on Alex seeing a challenge and pouncing on the chance to manipulate someone like Kim. I think Kim could feel those invisible tentacles reaching out from Alex.

When you’ve seen evil, lived with it, I believe you develop a special sensor when you’re around it again. I think that was going on with Kim but Alex’s veneer was throwing her off.

I agree with all of you. I also think that Kim was forced to see psychiatrists over the years. She knows their "tricks" to get patients to open up even when they don't want to. It feels like Kim honed in on Alex doing that to her.

I agree with Sharon that I agree with all of you, but I also think Bryant, like many people, is less likely to look beyond the surface because he sees the best in people. Kim is naturally inclined to look deeper and see the worst.