2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Two tales of murder and betrayal from the Lucy Kincaid and Maxine Revere series

Spiral (Lucy Kincaid, #12.5)

Sean Rogan and Lucy Kincaid are enjoying their honeymoon in a remote cabin outside Vail, Colorado. They sorely need the quiet time alone—a break from the murder and violence that has defined so much of their lives. And for one blissful week, they are in paradise.

But they should have known that their idyllic peace would come to an end. When their reclusive elderly neighbor disappears, the police find no evidence of foul play, but Hank would never leave his beloved Golden Retriever out in the cold all night. With the help of the faithful dog, Sean and Lucy retrace Hank’s steps and learn a dangerous truth that may turn their honeymoon into their funeral.


Retired (Max Revere, #3.5)

Nothing gets under investigative reporter Maxine Revere's skin like someone getting away with murder, especially when the victim is a harmless elderly woman. So when 82-year-old Lois Kershaw contacts her about a suspicious death at the posh Del Sol Retirement Community, Max agrees to go undercover as Lois’s granddaughter.

Max is willing to go along with Lois’s wild theory — up to a point. Proving an octogenarian died of anything but natural causes is next to impossible, and soon Max wonders if the lonely widow is creating an elaborate mystery for attention. But as she digs deeper into the history of Del Sol, Max uncovers a dark secret and realizes that Lois—and other Del Sol residents—are in grave danger. Finding the truth will take all of Max’s cunning and street smarts—and a little help from her new friends.

SPIRAL
Settings
Vail, Colorado

11 Chapters

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Recurring Characters
Lucia (Lucy) Kincaid Rogan: Youngest of the Kincaid siblings. She’s completed her training at the FBI academy and is now an agent in the Violent Crimes Squad in San Antonio. She’s a rape survivor and newly married to Sean Rogan. She’s 25-years old and has long black hair and brown eyes.
Sean Rogan: The youngest of the Rogan siblings, he was formerly a partner at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid and is newly married to Lucy. He’s now a consultant and followed Lucy to San Antonio. He and Patrick Kincaid had recently opened their Washington, DC office.
Rachel Vaughn: New FBI Supervisory Special Agent now in charge of the Sand Antonio office.
Bandit: Hank’s dog, a golden retriever.

Non Recurring Characters
Hank Henderson: Man who lives in the adjacent property to Sean & Lucy’s new home in Vail. He’s a retired forest ranger.
Abigail Geiser: Photographer.
Bob Cannon: Along with his wife, Betsy, owner of a woodworking business specializing in bears.
Betsy Cannon: Along with her husband, Bob, owner of a woodworking business.
Kyle Cannon: Bob and Betsy’s grandson. He’s home from college.
Gracie Calvert: Kyle’s girlfriend, an artist.
Cyrus Platt: Financial mogul and Gracie’s father.
Jim Kline: Cyrus Platt’s personal security agent.
Anita Longfellow: Deputy sheriff.
Trevor Martin: Kyle’s friend. He came home with him to help move his grandparents.
(hide spoiler)]

Spoiler Info
(view spoiler)[
Kyle’s friend Trevor was illegally mining for gold on the land near the Cannons, Platts and Hank’s properties. Hank went missing when he went to investigate, his body later found.

Trevor also kidnapped Gracie to get the money he needed for his gambling debts. She was initially complicit, wanting money from her wealthy father to open her store in town but apparently changed her mind at the last minute. It’s unclear if that’s true, that maybe she was complicit all along, which is what her father now believes.

Lucy & Sean are keeping Hank’s dog, Bandit.
(hide spoiler)]



RETIRED
Settings
New York, New York
Miami, Florida

12 Chapters

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Recurring Characters
Maxine (Max) Revere: Investigative reporter and host of the cable show Maximum Exposure. She’s 5’10” with dark red hair. She was undercover as Maxine Adler at the Del Sol retirement community.
David Kane: Max’s full-time assistant and as-needed bodyguard. He’s a former Army Ranger. He has a 12-year old. daughter, Emma, and is divorced from Brittney.
Emma Kane: David’s 12-year old daughter.
Ben Lawson: Max’s friend since college and producer of her show. He was Karen’s boyfriend.
Nick Santini: Detective Max met in California during her last investigation. They’re seeing each other long distance. He’s divorced from Nancy with a son, Logan.
Marco Lopez: Max’s recently ex-boyfriend, a supervisor all FBI special agent.
Harper Grey: Accountant for Max’s family trust. Her father, George, manages the trust.
Iris Torres: Forensic scientist.

Non Recurring Characters
Lois Kershaw: Resident of the Del Sol retirement community who believes one of the resident’s recent death was suspicious.
Florence (Flo) Riley: Lois’s friend and fellow resident of the Del Sol retirement community.
Rory O’Brien: Lois’s doctor.
Dotty Holcomb: Del Sol retirement community resident who recently died but Lois thinks is suspicious. She was her best friend.
Beau Pomeroy: Longtime resident of Del Sol and Lois’s good friend.
Nadine Delacruz: Realtor for Del Sol.
Debra: Del Sol staff member.
Thomas Hart: Randy resident of Del Sol.
Rachel Brock: Resident of Del Sol who is now sick.
Peter Markson: Administrator of Del Sol. He runs the day-to-day operations. He’s married to Nancy.
Jennifer Markson: Resident nurse at Del Sol. She’s married to Peter.
Richard Warren: Co-owner of Premier Development, which owns Del Sol Retirement Village. His sister is the president
Carlo Romero: Miami crime reporter.
Felicia Feliciano: Former president of the sorority Jennifer and Nadine belonged to in college.
Kerry Osaka: Nurse who was in the same sorority as Jennifer. She’s Felicia’s friend.
Pedro Chavez: Orderly at Suncrest.
(hide spoiler)]

Spoiler Info
(view spoiler)[
Jennifer Markson was killing the residents that joined Del Sol at the onset. They paid less in fees and when they were replaced by new ones, Jennifer & Nadine were embezzling a portion of the ne, bogus fees. Both were arrested with Marco’s help. (hide spoiler)]