2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Why do you believe no one was taking Kim’s suspicions about Alex North seriously, especially after her meeting with sister Sarah?

Alex was a sociopath at the top of her game. She had outwitted everyone till Kim came along this was an important part of the development of the plot. Alex was a master of manipulation honed from a young age and practiced on her sister. And part of the problem was Kim's own personality withdrawn from other people and coming across as difficult and a loner so it was difficult for other's around her to take her suspicions about Alex seriously.

I found this perplexing. Most of Kim’s colleagues respected her ability to see or sense things they don’t and give her more credibility in these matters. Here even Bryant was brushing her off, minimizing her concerns. I think it had a lot more to do with Alex deliberately focusing on them and laying on the “charm.”

I recall when they first met with her, Alex focused on Bryant, treating him as if he were the real person in charge. It had the desired effect. Kim is much less susceptible to BS and her meter is much more sensitive given the number of phonies she dealt with in the care system. It just surprised me that Bryant was so unwilling to consider Kim’s point of view, not even giving her the benefit of the doubt.

Jonetta wrote: "I found this perplexing. Most of Kim’s colleagues respected her ability to see or sense things they don’t and give her more credibility in these matters. Here even Bryant was brushing her off, mini..."

That's a good point. Bryant always has Kim's back so it does seem strange that he didn't even consider what she was feeling. Maybe the author wrote it this way to re-enforce the sociopathic charm that Alex could weld over people, even someone steady like Bryant.

Bryant's reaction kind of took me back, I wanted to poke him in the ribs a couple times. He always has Kim's back, even when he think she's wrong.

Exactly. Alex must have been really good. Imagine how guilty he felt afterwards. He won’t forget this.

I looked at Bryant a little differently. Like you all said he is Kim's voice of reason. Alex did a good job flirting and playing to Bryant's ego that he wanted Kim to see Alex from his point of view. This time Kim needed to gather proof to persuade Bryant and the team.

Also, the team is still wrapped up in the child abuse case. I don't think they were listening to Kim's concerns about the other murders.

Bryant and Woody both know something of Kim's past. I think that colored their view of Kim's suspicions.

Alex is a trained psychologist and a skilled manipulator. She knows exactly which buttons to push just by observing people. Kim's BS meter is well developed because of her experiences with her mother.

I think the ones who know a little of Kim's past dismissed it as her distrust and/or avoidance of therapists in general. They felt she was letting her own views color her view of Alex. Yes, Alex is extremely skilled at manipulation, but I was just a little surprised Kim's team didn't even consider that she might be right about Alex. I think Bryant's dismissal really hurt Kim. But being the fighter she is, she struck out on her own to figure it out & bring Alex to justice.