2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Olivia and the detectives believe the killer is a priest based on the religious overtones and her visions showing him dressed as one. Were you convinced early on it was someone in the religious community or Father John in action again? If not, why not?

I didn't think it was Father John, even though we kept being reminded that his body was never found. The killer's signature was different enough that it didn't seem like it could be him. I think the author made the descriptions ambiguous enough that it was hard to tell if "The Chosen One" was really a religious figure, or just someone who saw himself that way.

I did not believe either this killer or Father John were priests. Their moral philosophy was simply to warped and inconsistent for me to go in this direction. Also, aside from Father McLaren and the other priest whose name I forget right now, there were no other suspects who were clergy and I dismissed both of them quite early on.

Like Lynn, the MOs were too different for it to be the same killer

I did think it could be Father John for a short time. I did expect that he could be around since they never found his body. I didn't think the murderer was an actual priest, although Jackson does have some issues with the Catholic church.

As soon as it was disclosed in the final pages of the first book that the body of Father John was never found I thought for sure he wasn't dead and he'd be back! But in this particular book, no I don't think Father John is the killer. But he is associated with FJ in some way. At this point my money's on the Monsignor that Father James works with.

I don't think we've heard the last of Father John even if he doesn't come back in person.

While it bothers me that Father John’s body was never found, I never thought The Chosen One was him. The rituals were completely different and he was seriously injured.

I also never thought the killer was a priest. Religious training would have quashed all those notions about killing sinners and sitting in judgment. Plus, the killer was walking amongst everyone.

Jonetta wrote: "While it bothers me that Father John’s body was never found, I never thought The Chosen One was him. The rituals were completely different and he was seriously injured.

I also never thought the k..."

I don't know Jonetta.. religious training hasn't quashed a lot of the horrible things that have happened with priests, things that are being divulged now. I'm thinking that The Chosen One is a serial killer and would have been no matter what occupation he was in, he just twists and uses the teachings of the Church for his own evil purposes. Or if not a priest something has happened between him and the Church to make him fixate on the Saints.

I never thought the killer was a real priest either. I just can't go so far as to believe a real priest would be capable of such atrocities. I never thought it was Father John returned either. I firmly believed the gators got him. Using the trappings and rituals of religion gave "The Chosen One" a means to enact horrible acts and justify in his sick mind the reason for doing it.

I never thought that the killer was actually a priest. Those investigating specifically looked for people that were priests, but I kept thinking that anybody could set themselves up in their minds as a priest. Obviously he was wrong in the head to begin with, it doesn't take much more crazy to push him to believe he's a priest.

I never thought the the killer was FJ either. Bentz points out at one point that they had to be connected in some way, because it couldn't be a coincidence to have two religious serial killers so close together. But I just didn't see Jackson having FJ falsely thought dead twice.

I was disappointed that they didn't go more into the FJ and "The Chosen One" connection. I would have loved to know more about how they met and became mentor/apprentice. Somehow I don't think you'd met somebody at a BBQ and suddenly discuss the fact that you enjoy torture and murder.

Hannah wrote: "I never thought that the killer was actually a priest. Those investigating specifically looked for people that were priests, but I kept thinking that anybody could set themselves up in their minds ..."

I'm thinking that those connections may be explored further on in the series. No way is Father John dead... they didn't find the body!

I agree, Lisa!
The lack of a body keeps it open.

Hannah wrote: "Somehow I don't think you'd met somebody at a BBQ and suddenly discuss the fact that you enjoy torture and murder..."

I love that comment. It made me laugh.

I think Father John will be back too. Jackson left his death open for a reason.

It reminds me of Dr Alex Thorne in another series we read, like a bad penny, she keeps coming back.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I never thought that the killer was actually a priest. Those investigating specifically looked for people that were priests, but I kept thinking that anybody could set themselves up ..."

I was completely wrong! You are right that he must come up again. I read the afterword and she talks about it there. Much more to come.