Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

Past time for a group discussion of this lovely book. Meant to offer it in December, but December gets so busy. Enjoy — and remember, there be (dragons) spoilers here...

One of my favourite reads from last year.

My note to myself: "An interesting dilemma--how much to forgive. A character study as much as a mystery."

Most of Josh's books are as much about the characters as the mystery, which is why they are so good. I thought this one really worked with both.

Marge wrote: "My note to myself: "An interesting dilemma--how much to forgive. A character study as much as a mystery."

Most of Josh's books are as much about the characters as the mystery, which is why they a..."

I don't believe in forgiveness but I appreciated how it was explored here

The audiobook is now available at Audible & Apple...
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Lemon-...

Great narration by Andrew Gibson.

I should know this, but, how can I be notified of the next group read? I am positive it's just an oversight on my part. Thanks!

Melissa wrote: "I should know this, but, how can I be notified of the next group read? I am positive it's just an oversight on my part. Thanks!"

I usually post it here and on Chat + there should be a banner near the top of the Q&A with Josh Lanyon homepage. I'm going to extend discussion/comments through 3/31, since I meant to re-listen to the audiobook and comment, but got caught up in other things. I'm just getting back to it this week. Would love to hear your thoughts on this book.

I enjoyed The Lemon Drop Kid. I noted in my review "It's amazing how many times I am surprised by the uniqueness of JLs writings." Still so true!

I read JL's note at the end about what inspired this writing and that was kind of cool. That it was sparked by a discussion about what could someone do that could be almost unforgiveable. In this case, Casper was (essentially) sent to jail by the man he loved, a man who thought he had killed another, and then when the truth comes out, that Casper is innocent, the question is: can Casper forgive him? I don't know, that's a tough one. Raleigh thought Casper had killed someone, he believed it, thought Casper capable of murder. Yes, there was extenuating circumstances that helped Raleigh come to that conclusion. I write too, though hardly finish a story and never published, but I get ideas all the time and its beyond trippy how ideas come about. I wish I was a more talented writer and didn't have ADHD so I could finish. 🤗🫤

I also said there are several unanswered questions: (view spoiler)[The murder motive involves embezzlement of company funds, $20 million! But why? What happened to the money? How could so much go missing? It's a small company. How was the killer going to put it back as they claimed they were trying to do? (hide spoiler)]

I don't know if Raleigh and Casper's dynamic is realistic, and I mean that as more of a question to the group. I tried to think how I would react from either side, and I just don't know. I would expect someone I love, and who says they love me and know me, to believe that I wasn't capable of murder. I would want that person to be in my corner. But from Raleigh's side, if someone I loved was accused of murder and I was part of law enforcement, I want to believe I wouldn't do anything illegal to "fix" things. But I don't know if I could stay part of the investigation. It seems like a conflict of interest, and I would have to excuse myself from the investigation. Should Casper forgive Raleigh? Ugh, that's so hard! Can love be that powerful? Can people truly be that forgiving?

I know it's not a story I will forget and I hope it's made me more empathetic to this situation. I don't ever plan to find out first hand. Knock on wood!

Melissa wrote: "I enjoyed The Lemon Drop Kid. I noted in my review "It's amazing how many times I am surprised by the uniqueness of JLs writings." Still so true!

I read JL's note at the end about what inspired th..."

This is a wonderful synopsis of many of the challenges in this story. I'll post again after I finish re-listening.

(I had to divert to listening to a book for our local independent bookstore's sci-fi/fantasy book club. It's a long story and we meet in a week...)

Karen, I hope the book club choice is good. I'm not one for sci-fi.

Hooe The Lemon Drop Kid audio is good. JL usually picks great narrators. I look forward to your thought.

Melissa wrote:

(view spoiler)[

Melissa wrote: "How could so much go missing? "



I think it's easier in a small company, to some extent, if you have only one person looking at the money and that person is actively cooking the books. The owners and management only see what they're being shown by the embezzler. It won't work forever, once the company no longer has enough money to pay the employees and the bills, but it can work for a while.

Melissa wrote: How was the killer going to put it back as they claimed they were trying to do? "

It's pretty common for embezzlers to think (at first) that they're just taking a "loan" and will "put the money back" shortly. Then something else comes up and instead of paying it back, they take some more; pretty soon there's no way they can repay what they've taken through ordinary means.

(hide spoiler)]

SamSpayedPI wrote: "Melissa wrote:



Melissa wrote: "How could so much go missing? "



I think it's easier in a small company, to some extent, if you have only one person looking at the money and that person is acti..."

Totally agree on your 2nd point. Just like gambling, always think you will come out ahead and rarely do. As to your first point, I hadn't considered it that way about controlling what others see which more easily hides the truth/facts. It was still a lot, but, yeah, I can see how that could play out.

I’ve reread it. I read until 3:30 a.m. 😃

And I’ve changed my mind about it. The first time, I thought that (view spoiler)[both Raleigh suspecting Casper of murder and Casper going back to Raleigh were unrealistic. Now, however, both dynamics seem perfectly rational in that context: the incriminating message on the answering machine, Raleigh's sense of justice and desire to remain impartial, and Casper starting to understand some of Raleigh’s motives. (hide spoiler)]

Just popping in very briefly to say how much I always enjoy reading over your comments in the book discussions.

The crime plot was actually inspired by true events (as so many of my plots are these days):

https://www.texasstandard.org/stories...

There's a very interesting documentary on (I think) Netflix. Fascinating.

As for forgiveness... Not everyone is able to forgive even the most minimal of slights. And on the other side of the scale, we have Jesus Christ. I like to think most of us fall somewhere in the middle.

I think being able to forgive a genuine wrong is a sign of someone who is both brutally realistic and truly capable of unconditional love. I can't say that that's me, but it's something I aspire to.

Josh wrote: "Just popping in very briefly to say how much I always enjoy reading over your comments in the book discussions.

The crime plot was actually inspired by true events (as so many of my plots are thes..."

Wow, that is an amazing story! I am searching for it on streaming now. Thanks so much for sharing. It's a sad story, and yet they don't seem to be holding a grudge. They just moved forward. I don't know if the owners forgave, but I do agree Josh that it does take a strong person to forgive something of high magnitude.