SS Book Club: Book 1, Chapters 1-3 Discussion (Murder on a Girls' Night Out)

[wbarker]

Ok - I know I'm a day or two early, but just in case anyone else has the book already . . .

Note to anyone reading this thread - there WILL BE SPOILERS as we are discussing the book! Please don't read this if you haven't read the book yet, unless you want to know what is happening - then of course read on!

I've read the first few pages, and I just love the conversational tone between the sisters! I'm an only child, so can't really determine if sisters would actually think and talk the way they do, but I've been smiling ever since I started reading!

Anne George has already captured my attention with her descriptions of both sisters (I love the thoughts you hear from Patricia Anne), and the friendly banter!

So far, Patricia Anne seems a bit more conservative, and I think Mary Alice is a little spitfire!

Anyone else started the book yet?

[mood4amelody]

Haven't started yet, but you did a great job of being discrete! Don't think you spoiled anything! Instead, you have my interest peaked, because, to be honest :o I wasn't all that excited about the book before! lol Thanks!!

[wbarker]

LOL - glad I've got your interest up, but disclaimer!!!! It could turn out to be a dud! I've never read it - guess we'll find out! It sure starts in a cute manner though!

[bvanpeltsw]

Yikes! I am way behind! I haven't even bought the book yet.:(

[mood4amelody]

Yikes! I am way behind! I haven't even bought the book yet.:(

Don't worry Brandy!! lol There are no time constraints really. I feel like "Yikes!", too. I forgot to go to the library yesterday to even check if they have it. I have 2 movies that were due back this past Monday, too! :o

[wbarker]

No "Yikes" you guys!! We have 3 whole months to read this book - I felt I needed to get something started in case there were some people who already started the book! :)

I've only read the first few pages!

[bvanpeltsw]

I bought the book today! YAY!:D

[wbarker]

Congrats! Let me know if you like the start as well as I do!

[mood4amelody]

Went to the library and Lana the Librarian (true) tried to find it on interlibrary loan but the internet server was whack, so I don't know yet. She will check again tomorrow and see if she can find it for me. :(

[Jenni232323]

I'm going to check out our library after work today for the book - if they don't have it, can't beat amazon or that book swap site for $4 or so! Our library used to have really strange/odd hours too, but thankfully they changed them to be open most weekdays until 7pm. I'll set aside some time this weekend to start on the book. Thanks for all your work in setting this up Wendy!
Oh man - just after I said that, I checked and they're only open until 5 on Fridays! Grrr...Guess I'll go tomorrow morning.

[rebate queen]

I got a voicemail yesterday saying that my book was waiting for me at the library--yeah! Will pick it up today!:D

[mom2fussbudgets]

I just got an e-mail. I will be picking mine up today as well. :)

[mood4amelody]

After Wendi sent me the copy thru email, I got a call from Lana the Librarian, and she was able to get thru an order me a physical copy! I'll have it in about a week! I might reference both since I can notate on the copy from Wendi, but I can read in bed at night with the hard copy! ;)

[wbarker]

Yeah! What a grat Librarian!

[mood4amelody]

Yeah! What a grat Librarian!

She's wonderful!!! - doesn't charge late fees!!

[wbarker]

She's wonderful!!! - doesn't charge late fees!!

Hee Hee - that's why I had to stop using the library - couldn't get something and turn it in on time! I was always 1 day late!

[mood4amelody]

Oh, wanted to mention - I have been reading a book called The Old Wine Shades: A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes, that I picked up at the library and it's quite good! It's British, but not too much so! Very engaging storyline, etc. Apparently there are like a million in this series, so perhaps we might try one of her books later if everyone/anyone wants to. This is the first I've read of hers.

[Jenni232323]

I just placed a hold on the book - it's on the shelf at another county library, so I should get it towards the beginning of the week. :)

[rebate queen]

I just read the first chapter this morning. I am enjoying the book so far. It is an easy read, and I have been cracking up at the sisters. I can see myself in each of them when I roll into my sixties(of course, I'm more like the older sister:rolleyes: Who woulda guessed?? No murder yet....;)

[Jenni232323]

Picked up my book last night - will hopefully start some tonight!

[messajarjar]

I'm on chapter 6. Should we start discussing when everyone's at a certain point? :)

[rebate queen]

I'm on chapter 6. Should we start discussing when everyone's at a certain point? :)

I'm on chapter 5, but I don't want to give anything away...:confused: The chapters are short and it is an easy read, so it won't take people long once they have the book!:)

[mood4amelody]

This thread is to discuss chapters 1-3 so go ahead and discuss that here. If someone doesn't want to give it away, then they shouldn't peek in here til they finish Ch. 3. :o

I am still at the beginning. Where they are dancing at the new bar. I thought it rather odd that the one sister liked the look of it and bought it without any mention of looking at the books, a prospectus, or any type of thing like that. The seller's sick parents story sounded fishy, too.

I also thought at this point, that although the sisters are close, they seem to try to sabotage each other a bit. The one teases the other about anorexia while the thin one pushes the plate of cookies to the one with the weight.

I'll try not to peek in here until I get at least up to the start of the third chapter, but no promises! ;)

[Jenni232323]

I just finished the 1st chapter - it is an easy read for sure. I've not got 'Rocky Top Tennesseeeeee' stuck in my head...

[wbarker]

Ok - so I thought I'd start by creating a list of people I've met in the book so far (I'm in chapter 2!)

Mary Alice: 65 years old, 250 lbs, flamboyant personality??, married 3 times (Mary Alice Tate Sullivan Nachman Crane)
Patricia Anne Hollowell: 60 years old, thin, more conservative of the sisters, nickname: Mouse, married 40 years, allergic to alcohol
Bill: Mary Alice's "boyfriend", 72 years old
Fred: Patricia Anne's husband, 63 years old
Edward Meadows "Ed": Original owner of Skoot 'N Boot bar, hula girl tattoo, SPOILER: dies in the beginning of Chapter 2
Jed Reuse: Sheriff
Henry Lament: short order cook at the bar, Patricia Anne taught him AP English for 2 years

I'm sure there are more, but that is who I have "met" so far in the book . . .

[mood4amelody]

Here are my thoughts so far on the first 3 -

As sisters there seems to be some sisterly rivalry like Dawn mentioned. Mary Alice seems to goad Patricia Anne about her thinness, calling her anorexic, etc. I thought maybe Patricia Anne was getting back at her with sabotage there at the beginning using the cookies! "I put the plate by her." She may have just been being a good hostess, but I think it might have been a little "getting back" about the thin cracks by Mary Alice.

Later (p.21 on Microsoft Reader), I was kind of wondering if when she was thinking about Haley - "her biological clock is ticking so loud, it must surely keep her awake at night." if that were just her own perception or if that came from something Haley had said.

Anyone else have suspicions about the chipped mirror and toilet-paper roll? (p.24) I thought that maybe when Patricia Anne repaired it with her screwdriver, that she may have inadvertantly covered up some crime scene evidence?

Wonder if Henry Lament's last name is an indication of his character?

(p.25) Doris Chapman character - will she re-appear? Why mention her if she isn't a part of the story later on? Wonder if she's demised as well?? :eek:

(p.32) This Ed just keeps looking shadier to me. Paid non-working employees for a month while remodeling with high dollar fixtures. Where does his money come from? (p.33) The "time of the month moodiness" with extra bartending help called in for replacement during that time is pretty suspicious and the women falling over him. He's got something bad going on, and he's got more than just a touch on the back of the hand he's been giving them.


That's all I've got right now til we start tossing around ideas! :o

[wbarker]

Lynne - great points! You know, I totally agree with you on Patricia Anne inadvertently repairing the bathroom items - thought she should have mentioned something about them . . . wondering if it had something to do with the crime . . .

You know, I thought the same thing about Henry's last name, also thought the sheriff's last name "Reuse" was funny.

:)

[messajarjar]

The fact that "Mouse" is allergic to alcohol will probably be brought up later. Novels usually don't give specific details like that unless they are intricate to the plot later on.

Don't forget Bonnie Blue Butler...the "negative image" of Mary Alice (that cracks me up!!!!).

[wbarker]

I was actually just reading the part where Bonnie Blue Butler came into the bar to talk to the sheriff! I really like these characters! I sit there and smile - I was trying to get my son to sleep and had to keep from laughing!

[rebate queen]

Well, I'm not too surprised that Mary Alice seemed to buy the bar without doing much homework. She seems very impulsive....

They do seem to be focusing on food quite a bit so far...maybe the author has a food hang up of some sort. Maybe it is leading to something...

This whole thing about Ed having PMS is quite strange--wonder what was really going on. There are certainly a lot of things that point to drug trafficking....

this is from last night-never finished-fell asleep at the keyboard:eek:

[wbarker]

Hee Hee - I fell asleep in the middle of a page last night . . . then thought I'd gotten farther than I did! LOL

NOT implying that I was bored - I think it was around 1 AM, and I was TIRED! :)

[wbarker]

Ok - here are some of the things I've noted so far:

Chapter 1:

I was really interested in the description of Alabama in October. . . "Seventy-five degrees, a cloudless sky and everything golden as buttered buscuits."

In Seattle, I think we have some nice days in October, and it is nice to see the leaves change, but I don't think it is that warm, and we usually have some cloud cover. :)

Chapter 2:

I liked how Patricia Anne talked about how Fred smells . . . "the nice Fred smells of Gain and Bounce, soap, warmth, sleep, Prince Albert tobacco." then goes on to say, "Familiarity doesn't necessarily breed just contempt."

It is interesting how we link certain smells to certain people and events.

I also never thought about familiarity breeding contempt, but I guess we do tend to get used to things and not appreciate them as much. I think it goes for people and things. Any thoughts??

Hmmm - Chapter 2 ends with Ed's death! The conversation between the two sisters (on the phone when Mary Alice calls to tell Patricia Anne that Ed is Dead!) . . Dead in the well. . . . it was kind of funny! The way they talk to each other!

Chapter 3: All I can say about chapter 3 is Bonnie Blue Butler. What a character - I smiled a lot once we met her. She is right up there with the sisters, the way she comes right in, and takes over with the Sheriff! I sure hope nothing happens to her! She's kind of a cross between a warm hug and comedy relief!

[mood4amelody]

Well, I'm not too surprised that Mary Alice seemed to buy the bar without doing much homework. She seems very impulsive....

This whole thing about Ed having PMS is quite strange--wonder what was really going on. There are certainly a lot of things that point to drug trafficking....


They do mention later about doing paperwork with the lawyer, so maybe those were just details the author didn't think important to mention. But, then again, you're right, she seems very impulsive by nature!


I was really interested in the description of Alabama in October. . . "Seventy-five degrees, a cloudless sky and everything golden as buttered biscuits."

In Seattle, I think we have some nice days in October, and it is nice to see the leaves change, but I don't think it is that warm, and we usually have some cloud cover. :)

I also never thought about familiarity breeding contempt, but I guess we do tend to get used to things and not appreciate them as much. I think it goes for people and things. Any thoughts??


"Mouse" was supposed to be an English teacher. I thought this must just be the Microsoft reader, when I saw a grammatical error or two, but wouldn't this be better said "everything AS golden as buttered biscuits" or "everything golden like buttered biscuits"? Sorry to nitpick. Grammer is a pet peeve of mine.

Our Octobers in Iowa are golden and green and brown and red and purple. We get the full Fall spectrum. It's really lovely.

As for familiarity breeding contempt, you haven't spent a lot of time with DA! :( He will pay for a ride back and forth to work, but it will only last from 3-6 months before they tell him, "Look, you have to find another ride." Haven't you ever met someone and the more you got to know them, the less you thought of them? Maybe a neighbor who didn't treat the family right, or a co-workder that seems really nice at first then you see they are just a brown noser and would take credit and lay blame further down the road? Sometimes, the more you know someone the more you wish you didn't. It's just because we can't instantly know one's motivations or intent at first meeting them. Often only a little at a time do we develope a sense of their true character and decide if it's likeable or not.

[wbarker]

They do mention later about doing paperwork with the lawyer, so maybe those were just details the author didn't think important to mention. But, then again, you're right, she seems very impulsive by nature!



"Mouse" was supposed to be an English teacher. I thought this must just be the Microsoft reader, when I saw a grammatical error or two, but wouldn't this be better said "everything AS golden as buttered biscuits" or "everything golden like buttered biscuits"? Sorry to nitpick. Grammer is a pet peeve of mine.

Our Octobers in Iowa are golden and green and brown and red and purple. We get the full Fall spectrum. It's really lovely.

As for familiarity breeding contempt, you haven't spent a lot of time with DA! :( He will pay for a ride back and forth to work, but it will only last from 3-6 months before they tell him, "Look, you have to find another ride." Haven't you ever met someone and the more you got to know them, the less you thought of them? Maybe a neighbor who didn't treat the family right, or a co-workder that seems really nice at first then you see they are just a brown noser and would take credit and lay blame further down the road? Sometimes, the more you know someone the more you wish you didn't. It's just because we can't instantly know one's motivations or intent at first meeting them. Often only a little at a time do we develope a sense of their true character and decide if it's likeable or not.

Yes - I noticed a few gramatical issues, but assumed it was a regional thing - like people here saying Warshington (there is NO R in Washington!) In our area, it is usually people from certain areas that add the R's . . .

October sounds beautiful where you are!

You know, your perspective helped me see that comment differently - thanks! Yes!!! I do know people like that - guess I've just conveniently blocked them from my mind. Unfortunately, we have quite a few family members on both sides of the family that fit the bill - I was just reading with rose colored glasses on! LOL - helps that I've been reading really late at night! All other thought kind of goes out the window!

[mood4amelody]

You know, your perspective helped me see that comment differently - thanks! Yes!!! I do know people like that - guess I've just conveniently blocked them from my mind. Unfortunately, we have quite a few family members on both sides of the family that fit the bill - I was just reading with rose colored glasses on! LOL - helps that I've been reading really late at night! All other thought kind of goes out the window!

I should have just let you leave your "glasses" on and not pointed them out! lol Sorry about that!

[wbarker]

I should have just let you leave your "glasses" on and not pointed them out! lol Sorry about that!

No - I can understand better! Thanks being sent your way! :) Needed to be able to put it in perspective, plus that is what this discussion is all about - yeah

[rebate queen]

Haven't you ever met someone and the more you got to know them, the less you thought of them? Maybe a neighbor who didn't treat the family right, or a co-workder that seems really nice at first then you see they are just a brown noser and would take credit and lay blame further down the road? Sometimes, the more you know someone the more you wish you didn't. It's just because we can't instantly know one's motivations or intent at first meeting them. Often only a little at a time do we develope a sense of their true character and decide if it's likeable or not.

Unfortunately, that was also true with my ex DA.
I often wish I had a rose-colored computer screen as well as glasses. I have seen this more times than I would like to on this forum. It is so much easier for people to mask their true character behind a computer monitor. I would much rather not be harboring the animosity that I have...and letting go of it is easier said than done, especially as you have to watch it happen continuously:(
Sorry for getting off the subject. Someone can post an @ss whippin' for me! LOL!

[mood4amelody]

Unfortunately, that was also true with my ex DA.
I often wish I had a rose-colored computer screen as well as glasses. I have seen this more times than I would like to on this forum. It is so much easier for people to mask their true character behind a computer monitor. I would much rather not be harboring the animosity that I have...and letting go of it is easier said than done, especially as you have to watch it happen continuously:(
Sorry for getting off the subject. Someone can post an @ss whippin' for me! LOL!

No whippin' for you. You're right. Just keep thinking "We're all God's children" and understanding that some "children" are just going to be brats or mean. Looks better for the good kid's when it comes to asking God for your allowance! Too bad it's prally against the rules and regs here to just say "Can you just shut the F up!" once in a while.

[wbarker]

LOL - Every now and then I rant at my hubby about family members, and he reminds me that if we didn't have some bums in the family, we wouldn't appreciate the nice ones! Kind of like painful events - we lost our first pregnancy at 18 weeks, then had trouble with the second (my Avatar!), who came EARLY! But it has made us VERY thankful that he arrived and is healthy - even if he is a bit spoiled. We have been extra cautious because of our earlier loss and my sister-in-law's (SIL?) losses, he still sleeps in a little crib next to our bed so I can make sure he is breathing (he's 13 months now - I know I need to find a way to transition him to his own room . . . . ) LOL (Sorry to ramble - it was a long night - Logan's getting another molar, and he was crabby and crying all night - I rocked him much of the night, and now he want's to crawl around and play!)

:) Life lessons - gotta take the sour in order to appreciate the sweet - I really do hope the sweet outnumbers the sour though!

[mood4amelody]

Don't worry about getting him transitioned. As long as you guys have your "time" together, there's no hurry. I heard or read an article about how the incidents of SIDs in the US was just outrageous compared to other countries. The reason they cited was that here we are always getting the kids in their own rooms because of privacy, etc. But, in countries where the baby sleeps with or near the parents it's practically unheard of. I guess you are more likely to catch any instance of apnea that could be fatal if the baby were in another room.

[rebate queen]

Don't worry about getting him transitioned. As long as you guys have your "time" together, there's no hurry. I heard or read an article about how the incidents of SIDs in the US was just outrageous compared to other countries. The reason they cited was that here we are always getting the kids in their own rooms because of privacy, etc. But, in countries where the baby sleeps with or near the parents it's practically unheard of. I guess you are more likely to catch any instance of apnea that could be fatal if the baby were in another room.
:D I agree wholeheartedly on this one!! I am a big fan of the family bed and co-sleeping(same room). There is so much evidence and study results to prove exactly what Lynne is saying. Don't worry about it making him more dependant either-it actually leads to a more independant child. Also, if he is having a bad night --grab him and cuddle right up with him. Studies also show that babies/moms sleep patterns and rhythms will match better when you do this.
Oh , I could go on forever about this subject....

[messajarjar]

LOL - Every now and then I rant at my hubby about family members, and he reminds me that if we didn't have some bums in the family, we wouldn't appreciate the nice ones! Kind of like painful events - we lost our first pregnancy at 18 weeks, then had trouble with the second (my Avatar!), who came EARLY! But it has made us VERY thankful that he arrived and is healthy - even if he is a bit spoiled. We have been extra cautious because of our earlier loss and my sister-in-law's (SIL?) losses, he still sleeps in a little crib next to our bed so I can make sure he is breathing (he's 13 months now - I know I need to find a way to transition him to his own room . . . . ) LOL (Sorry to ramble - it was a long night - Logan's getting another molar, and he was crabby and crying all night - I rocked him much of the night, and now he want's to crawl around and play!)

:) Life lessons - gotta take the sour in order to appreciate the sweet - I really do hope the sweet outnumbers the sour though!


My son is 16 and if I happen to get up in the middle of the night, I always peek in on him and make sure he's brething okay! He likes to mush his face in his pillow! Anyway, there's nothing wrong with looking out for your baby-no matter HOW old he is!

[mood4amelody]

For Logan's (you know at least 3 of us here have a Logan! :D ) teething -

Freezer pops are awesome! They taste good, they are cold and sort of deaden the gums a little so they can push the tooth through, and they are inexpensive. Also good to help reduce fevers. Cold spoon to chew on works well, too. And, if you dip a washrag in kool-aide, soda or sugar/water and freeze it, sometimes they like to chew on that, too.

[wbarker]

Wow Lynne/Dawn,

You guys are making me feel better (my hubby might growl a bit - he wants his bed back!). I know that at age 2 the risk of SIDS goes down significantly. Co-sleeping is a bonus for me, because DH doesn't wake up at night unless he is kicked by Logan, so I am the one that gets up with him, this way, I don't have to go all over the house, and can get back to sleep quicker - Logan usually ends up in our bed around 2 or 3 am. I'll have to look into the studies a little more - Dawn if you feel like it and have a list, pm me!

:) Thanks!!

[rebate queen]

Wow Lynne/Dawn,

You guys are making me feel better (my hubby might growl a bit - he wants his bed back!). I know that at age 2 the risk of SIDS goes down significantly. Co-sleeping is a bonus for me, because DH doesn't wake up at night unless he is kicked by Logan, so I am the one that gets up with him, this way, I don't have to go all over the house, and can get back to sleep quicker - Logan usually ends up in our bed around 2 or 3 am. I'll have to look into the studies a little more - Dawn if you feel like it and have a list, pm me!

:) Thanks!!
I will do that Wendi-I've made myself a note and will pm it to you sometime this weekend. In the meantime, let hubby growl a little. This time with Logan is precious and short. Hubby is a big boy, and he'll have his bed back soon enough!!;)
Oh, I forgot to say, mom sleeps better too!!

[mood4amelody]

I will do that Wendi-I've made myself a note and will pm it to you sometime this weekend. In the meantime, let hubby growl a little. This time with Logan is precious and short. Hubby is a big boy, and he'll have his bed back soon enough!!;)
Oh, I forgot to say, mom sleeps better too!!

This is all really good info, would you mind just making a thread about it, Dawn? There are lots of new babies just arrived and coming soon to other SS moms, and they probably aren't checking the book thread for mommy tips! lol

[wbarker]

I will do that Wendi-I've made myself a note and will pm it to you sometime this weekend. In the meantime, let hubby growl a little. This time with Logan is precious and short. Hubby is a big boy, and he'll have his bed back soon enough!!;)
Oh, I forgot to say, mom sleeps better too!!

:) I do sleep better in that I'm not worried and constantly running to the other room! No rush on the info - whenever you get the time, and Lynne might be right - should we start a thread? Others might find the info helpful!

[rebate queen]

:) I do sleep better in that I'm not worried and constantly running to the other room! No rush on the info - whenever you get the time, and Lynne might be right - should we start a thread? Others might find the info helpful!
OK-when I get the info together I will start a thread. I certainly hope it will just be taken as helpful information and wisdom, and not start a debate with other members. I just don't have the time, extra patience, or energy for that.:o

[mood4amelody]

OK-when I get the info together I will start a thread. I certainly hope it will just be taken as helpful information and wisdom, and not start a debate with other members. I just don't have the time, extra patience, or energy for that.:o

I know I'm no one to give advise about getting into it with other members, but just look at it like bar fights - "spectator sport". :p

[bvanpeltsw]

I got my book today! Man I better get started!:eek:

[mom2fussbudgets]

I'm behind in posting! I'm on chapter 11 too!

Wendi, toddlers in your bed is just a part of life. I think we all probably went through it. Tell your hubby that time flies like the wind, and one of these days, it'll all be a distant memory. Oh, and don't stress over it. :)

[wbarker]

I'm behind in posting! I'm on chapter 11 too!

Wendi, toddlers in your bed is just a part of life. I think we all probably went through it. Tell your hubby that time flies like the wind, and one of these days, it'll all be a distant memory. Oh, and don't stress over it. :)

Yes - I had to stop reading because I'm getting so far behind on posting! I think I'm in chapter 11 or 12, but I'm afraid I'm going to start posting in the wrong thread and give something away! :)

Everyone - thanks for the encouraging posts on toddlers! :) Lynne - I was giving him a bath tonight, and let him play with the clean washcloth, and he LOVED chewing on it!! I'm going to try to cold spoon tomorrow.

[Jenni232323]

Ok, 1 interesting thing in ch.1-3 - I think the broken mirror in the Skoot n Boot restroom has something to do with the murder...I don't think it was the careless crime scene investigators. Anyone else?

[mom2fussbudgets]

I think you are right!

[wbarker]

I agree with you as well - the thing I can't figure out though is that it was in the women's restroom, not the men's - if Ed was in the restroom, shouldn't it have been in the men's restroom?

So . . . a woman might have been there??? I find it hard to believe a woman would slit someone's throat and hang them up above the well . . . .

[caryn]

I haven't read any of the post yet, I just started reading the book. Hopefully I will get through the first three chapters so I can post.

[caryn]

Ok, 1 interesting thing in ch.1-3 - I think the broken mirror in the Skoot n Boot restroom has something to do with the murder...I don't think it was the careless crime scene investigators. Anyone else?

I was just thinking that yesterday as I was reading. I wonder if all of the books in this series are as into the food as this one appears to be? I guess I will have to read more of them when I am done with this one.

[rebate queen]

I was just thinking that yesterday as I was reading. I wonder if all of the books in this series are as into the food as this one appears to be? I guess I will have to read more of them when I am done with this one.
You'll see my posts about this in another thread(diff chapters) for this book;)