2012.01.23 Meeting Notes

We had a great meeting on Monday, with a record breaking 15 attendees. We also had quite an in-depth discussion of Laura Lippman’s I’d Know You Anywhere. I think the one thing we were really in agreement on was that she had some very well rounded characters. Whether you loved them (Reba the dog) or hated them (Barbara the scary prison groupie). The characters were very memorable and very distinct. I personally wanted to slap Vonnie on no less than 4 occasions.
The average score out of 10 was between 6 and 8. Most of us were entertained and enjoyed the book. Chris pointed out that it was different from the books we usually read, in that we knew whodunit right at the beginning and only followed Eliza’s current day re-acquaintance with her abductor Walter. We also got flashbacks of Eliza’s kidnapping, where it was unclear whether she was Walter’s captive or his co-conspirator. We discussed Stockholm Syndrome and related that to Eliza’s connection and submission to Walter’s wishes. Many of us agreed that we understood Eliza’s need to confront Walter before he was put to death.
I think one of the biggest complaints was that there wasn’t a twist at the end. Although the author had you guessing for a minute whether or not Eliza actually saw Walter kill Holly, she quickly cleared it up when Eliza remembered seeing it all through the rear view mirror. Jeff and I were both convinced that Eliza killed Holly herself (and I think also secretly hoped). I think the author dropped a lot of clues and laid a trail that could have gone somewhere but didn’t. For me, this is where she lost some of her points.
All in all I think we were pleased with the month’s selection and many are looking forward to next month when we will read Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet. Jeff will lead and Kim will provide snacks. See below for a complete list of leaders and snack bringers for the first half of 2012.
If you need a copy of Sherlock Holmes, please email me. I have a copy that I can take to the library for you to pick up.
Crime & Beyond	
Lead	
Snacks
Jan 23: I'd know you Anywhere by Laura Lippman	
Kerry	
Kerry
Feb 27: A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle	
Jeff	
Kim
March 26: The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly	
Jose	
Lorraine
April 23: Heat Lightning by John Sandford	
Janice	
Joyce
May 28: Dexter is Delicious by Jeff Lindsay	
Dave	
Dave
June 25: The Snowman by Jo Nesbo	
Sharon	
Nick