Literally Dead Book Club discussion

I just love books written in parts, it makes dividing up these discussions so much easier since I haven't read the book yet! haha

For my hardcover edition, part 1 ends on page 115.
IF YOU'VE READ PAST THIS POINT, NO SPOILERS PLEASE.

What do you think of the characters so far? Who stands out? Who do you trust?
What are you enjoying?
Any predictions for future developments?
Have you read any other Samantha Downing and how does this one compare so far?

I am really like thrillers with and academic settings so while Samantha Downing isn't my favorite so went into this with guarded excitement. And like all her books this starts out fun and mostly I am looking forward to continuing. I do worry that Teddy starting to be a little one note and being that a lot of the book is him that worries me.

I am 77 pages into this book and bored out of my mind. I’m trying to decide if I should keep going for book club’s sake or just DNF this one.

It’s far, far, far too much telling and not showing. I want something more than just he did this. And she did that. She was annoyed and he was doing this.

I tried to read one other Downing book and wasn’t a fan. That one I did DNF.

Maybe this author just isn’t for me? Or maybe academia isn’t my favorite setting? I did love They Never Learn from a couple months ago, so I’m not certain.

Just got to ch 9 and I’m hella bored with it tbh.

This is my first Samantha Downing novel and so far, so good! I like the Zach character so far but he does seem a bit privileged and possibly arrogant, but I'm not sure about it. Teddy is a bit of a puzzle at the moment - what exactly is going on with him? I have no predictions at the moment.

I don't know why this just feels like a book of dark humour and an over the top satire on the education system. So far not so "thrilling" but definitely entertaining
But I swear this book is so over the top that every single character feels like a caricature

I'm enjoying it so far but I don't think I like any of the characters. I haven't read any other Samantha Downing books. I like that the chapters are so short and I feel like I'm not sure where this is going but I am along for the ride

This is my second book from this author, I gave one book 5 stars and her other book 1 star. I went in a little hesitant with this book because academic settings are not something that I’ve enjoyed in the past.

So far this feels like dark humour with some bashing of the education system. The characters are over the top almost caricatures…. And I am having a blast!
I’m loving the short chapters and I’m flying through this book :)

This is my first Samantha Downing. I really enjoy academic settings so this should be right up my alley - I‘ve been enjoying the short chapters they make it a quick read. I have no predictions yet though.

Just finished reading up to ch 15 (pg 64). This is my first Downing book and so far I’m intrigued. Too early for me to want to make predictions. As far as characters: I find Teddy interesting, feel bad for Zach and like Courtney.

Okay. Well, I just finished part 1. Things just got a bit more interesting.

Just finished up to here. Are all the characters in this book unlikeable? I mean, maybe I can have some sympathy for Zach and Courtney, but the arenas and teachers are just not nice. I’m interested to see what happens here.

I just finished part one, and I'm really enjoying it!! It's fascinating because all of the teachers are so outrageous. I also wonder if teachers should be permitted to modify grades based on a student's behaviour. Of course, Teddy's actions are bad, but I've always kept my mouth shut in front of my teachers in case one of them becomes enraged and tries to punish me with a lower mark.

Just finished part one last night. I was pretty intrigued up to this point. Teddy freaks me out and has since the beginning, and I couldn't put my finger on it until Sonia gets sick. I even had a WTF moment when I realized it was Teddy.
This is feeling a little YA to me, which I don't really love anymore as an adult, but I'm still super interested.
I read My Lovely Wife by Downing, and I really enjoyed it. I think Sarah Downing may have a fascination with poisoning people.. LOL

I DONOT like Teddy at all and having emetophobia made the sickness scene hard for me to read, made me anxious about continuing. Who would do that to a work colleague?! and then him feeling bad about it afterwards, not very believeable.

Also Frank feeling guilty?

This is the second book I have read with a poisoning scene in, and both creeped me out.

I am loving how gripping it is though :)

Rachel wrote: "I DONOT like Teddy at all and having emetophobia made the sickness scene hard for me to read, made me anxious about continuing. Who would do that to a work colleague?! and then him feeling bad abou..."

I have the same phobia and it made me feel the same way! LOL

Courtney wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I DONOT like Teddy at all and having emetophobia made the sickness scene hard for me to read, made me anxious about continuing. Who would do that to a work colleague?! and then him f..."

I hope there is no more things like that in the book but if so hopefully I am a bit more mentally prepared.

I'm on pg 100 and it's been fun but dragging a bit. I know the book wants me on Teddy's side but he's pretty pretentious himself so it hard for me to side with him when he's amoung the ones he despise. It all seems hypocritical but maybe that's the point for later on I'm guessing. I am intrigued to find out what is up with teddy's wife, what Zachs gonna uncover digging around and who's gonna take the fall for this murder. but other than that I don't see any crazy plot twists happening, I just see someone doing something and the story unraveling from there which is pretty disappointing but at least it's a bit of a fun read. I heard someone say this started to feel a little YA for them and I agree. maybe it's just the academic scene but the writing does feel like it's trying too hard to be quirky and satirical. either way I'm not so turned off that I'll DNF so onwards I go.

This is my first experience with Samantha Downing, and I’m enjoying the book so far. I’m eager to find out if Teddy is a reliable narrator and what Frank is up to.
Even though Teddy doesn’t seem to be a killer (as far as we know), he does show some characteristics of a psychopath killer in my opinion. People like that tend to be disappointed after their kill and become ‘depressed’ for a while, before starting the cycle all over again.

Also, what is Zach going to find out? The contact info of the fertility doctor stood out for me. I’m wondering if Allison is still alive, and if she isn’t, I bet Teddy had something to do with it.

This is my first Samantha Downing and I'm liking it so far! Teddy is super schetchy and I love the multiple pov's, even if they can slightly confusing sometimes. Can't wait to read the rest of the book :)

I just started it last night and so far I am enjoying it and very much intrigued with what is happening and what will happen next :) @red.head.reader

Not really digging this book. I will push through tho. I prefer academia books written more from a student perspective. Its disappointing as I waited forever for the library loan.

Finished this first part. I want to push through since I purchased it. I’m intrigued enough, but I really don’t like the jumping from perspective to perspective with all their thoughts in third person. It’s really clunky.

I don’t know if I dig Downing. We’ll see how part two fares because part one took far too long to trudge through.

Just finished part 1 and I like it. The characters are awful but I think that is what intrigues me? I don't mind the different perspectives and I think its really going to pick up. Or I hope it does.

I have to get caught up! Finally got this book from the library. I promised myself I wouldn’t buy any books this month. But waiting on holds from the library is frustrating lol 😝

It's my first book of this author and so far I'm very intrigued. I find all the characters pretty unlikable but I enjoy the dark humor and the short chapters. Also I'm curious about Teddy's wife. I have no idea what's going to happen so I can't make any predictions at this point.

I’m enjoying it because I really have no idea where the plot is going, but…

If I had no idea what the author’s name was, I would SWEAR this was written by a man. Everything from Sonia’s POV felt very men-writing-women. Anyone else???

Finished part one so quickly. I loved My Lovely Wife SO MUCH so I'm hopefully I will love this book just as much.

I kind of hate all the characters, but I'm super intrigued to know what happens and what the heck is going on! HAHA. Teddy gives me super creepy vibes, to be honest I don't like him very much, but I like where his character is heading (sounds weird I know). Frank is super intriguing and I want to know more about him. I also think Zach has some secrets that needs to be talked about.

Here goes to part 2.

Melanie wrote: "Just finished part 1 and I like it. The characters are awful but I think that is what intrigues me? I don't mind the different perspectives and I think its really going to pick up. Or I hope it does."

Yes! I think the characters are also awful, but there's something super intriguing about that!

None of the characters I'm feeling anything about..they are find of obscure...like someone mentioned "caricature."
I don't want to predict anything...I haven't really liked My Lovely Wife, I'm worried of giving myself hope.
This book has a better beginning than My Lovely Wife but boring nonetheless...
Things have only started picking up after "the incident"...I'm excited

I am actually really enjoying this. As someone that taught college level courses to some privileged students, I first found some of the content relatable. LOL But Teddy takes things wayyyyy too far. To be honest, none of the characters is very likeable, but I don't really need my characters to be likeable in order for me to enjoy a book. I don't know. I am liking this so far. The characters are surface level, and I don't see that changing, but the story itself has my attention :) As someone that has been in a reading slump up until recently, I am glad it is holding strong.

I read Samantha Downing before and loved her writing.
This book in comparison in my mind is better in that Teddy is a dastardly fella whose mind is quite twisted.

Just finished Part 1 and I'm definitely intrigued! Teddy is terrible, to say the least. Sonia is insufferable. Zach and Courtney seem pretty okay to me. And Frank... I don't know but something's not right with him. (I feel like I am forgetting one of the POVs but oh well...)

This is my first Samantha Downing and I am really enjoying her writing. The beginning was a little slow but it's starting to pick up and I am anxious to see what happens next. On to Part 2!

I'm obsessed with this so far!

I really like the story so far, it's easy to read and the characters, while not necessarily likeable are quite interesting. Curious to see what happens from here on out and who will see it through til the end

I just started listening to this tonight and am definitely engaged. I'm enjoying how thoroughly entangled all the petty little battles of the parents and teachers are, and I like the Election meets Heathers vibe. At this point, I doubt Zach and Courtney are completely blameless, but I'm hoping they expose all the nastiness.

I haven't read anything from this author before but so far I like her writing style. There are a few incorrect details that bother me, though.