Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

This is the discussion for Pines by Blake Crouch. Our moderator is Karen

Oh, good!

I just ordered it for my Kindle. I'd been thinking about reading this Trilogy. Looking forward to the discussions.

I will be rereading it on my Kindle as well.

It is a hot item at the public library and I had to return that copy and there was a hold on it.

Since I have seen several weeks of the TV series, I have successfully intertwined the book and the TV series in my mind.

To start off however, let me know if you are also watching the TV show.

More later.

Karen

Gail wrote: "I just bought Pines for my kindle. I'm excited because this is my first group read! Fun! What are our time frames?"

Welcome Gail.

This is a place where you can jump in at any time with any comment.

There be spoilers here, so most people know not to read the comments until they have finished the book.

I will pose statements and/or questions from time to time to keep the discussion going.

Anyone else is free to do the same.

Most of the discussion will be during the month of June, however, these sessions remain open, so if someone does not get to the book in time, they can jump in whenever they do finish.

No pressure...

I'm watching the series and I'm curious about how the two will blend together.

I am reading the series, and I've watched the three episodes that have aired so far. I'm hooked!

I read the series and dvr'd the tv series. Can't wait to watch it.

I got my copy at the library today. Didnt know it was on tv. Will have to look for day and time.

Cathie wrote: "I got my copy at the library today. Didnt know it was on tv. Will have to look for day and time."

It is on FX on Thursday in my area.

Karen

There have been several differences between the book and the tv show so far.

In the book a lot was made of his affects from the car crash, and how much walking he did in the town to try to figure out where he was.

In the tv show, he seems a lot more pulled together. We are not getting the internal dialogue.

They completely leave out the search for Mac on the tv side. I suspect that would have slowed down the action and not provided anything towards their plot.

I can't wait to see if they both come to the same conclusions at the end of book one.

Karen

Read the book and have to say I found the ending terribly disappointing. I was really into the story from the start, didnt want to put it down but the ending seemed trite and highly unsatisfying. Felt like the author was going for a shock and awe effect and in the process left you feeling drained and wondering what just happened. Also felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions, at least as far as i was concerned.

That can be so frustrating!!! A lot like the big build up to the finali to 'Lost' totally a disappointment

Rick wrote: "That can be so frustrating!!! A lot like the big build up to the finali to 'Lost' totally a disappointment"

Other people may disagree and that's fine. Not everyone likes the same thing. I just know it didnt suit my tastes as far as thrillers go.

There are two more in this series. I have not started them yet, and they are due on Saturday at the library and not renewable. I am wondering if I should rush read them and see what the next episode is about.

Is anyone going to continue on in this series?

Karen

Debbie wrote: "Rick wrote: "That can be so frustrating!!! A lot like the big build up to the finali to 'Lost' totally a disappointment"

Other people may disagree and that's fine. Not everyone likes the same th..."

I did not really get the impression it was a thriller either. More of a sci/fi mystery. I can see why you were disappointed.

The parts where he scaled the wall and encountered the beasts was exciting, but probably too short to consider this a thriller.

Karen

I only just started, still getting into the story. But it's a strong start. Man waking up with no memory is a tough beginning to pull off and he does it well. The story picks up for me after he discovers the other agents body. But like I said, I'm still in the early parts so we shall see. I am looking forward to reading on.

This is my first group read - glad I'm not the only one. I'll start reading tonight and try to finish before the TV show Thursday night.

Another major change between book and tv is that he is now sheriff, which does not happen until the end of the book. Plus, his family has joined him, which I suspect may happen in book two.

Has anyone read Wayward, book 2 yet?

Karen

I've started reading and find Pines very much like The Da Vinci Code, a bang up beginning followed by one long chase. I'm wondering what the powerful cabal behind this weird world is and why?

Patricia wrote: "I've started reading and find Pines very much like The Da Vinci Code, a bang up beginning followed by one long chase. I'm wondering what the powerful cabal behind this weird world is and why?"

Yes, keep reading. Some of it is revealed towards the end of book one.

Karen

I finished. I write as well as read and have to admit that I really wondered how the author was going to pull this one off. I think he did a great job of tying things together with a satisfying ending that made sense of all the weird stuff.

The experiment with telling people - and learning not to - made the plot really work for me.

His family joins him at the end of book1 - or he joins his family, depending how you look at it.

I look forward to the TV series to see how they are handling it. I have a mental image ...

I definitely did not guess the plot twist. As I was reading, my mind was spinning with the possibilities: prison community, a retired FBI agent farm, alien abduction, more crazy ideas!

Did anyone guess it or come close?

Amanda wrote: "I definitely did not guess the plot twist. As I was reading, my mind was spinning with the possibilities: prison community, a retired FBI agent farm, alien abduction, more crazy ideas!

Did anyone..."

I did not, although I generally read straight mystery, not too many sci/fi mystery.

Karen

Another difference between the TV and the book:

In the book the family is openly recruited to join Ethan in Wayward Pines, and they are given a choice whether they want to.

The TV did not indicate that there was this choice at all.

If you were facing this decision, knowing what the wife knew (and more importantly, did not know), what would you do?

Karen

I didn't see the ending coming, but it worked for me. I probably would have reacted as his wife did, agreeing at first, and then thinking, "What have I done to my child?" She backed out, and the visitor gassed her. In the end, she had no choice.

I have a question - how apt are you to read the next book in this series?

I didn't guess what was coming at all - and I liked it more than all of the things I DID guess. I'm not sure what I would do Karen (about joining him in Wayward Falls). I probably would say yes if it were just me, but with a child involved...that is tough!

Is the tv show worth watching?

I will probably read the next book in the series.

Yes - I am planning on reading the rest of the trilogy.

Yes - I am enjoying the TV show, but it is confusing to try and discuss the book as a result!

Karen

I'll find a way to get the book at the library.

Patricia wrote: "I have a question - how apt are you to read the next book in this series?"

I actually jumped right into the second one, because I was pretty curious about the story behind the mystery. It answers a lot of questions but I found it ultimately unsatisfying. I don't plan to read the third book.

Did anyone watch the newest episode?

It looks like Ethan is all in, convinced that the town is a sanctuary, but his former FBI partner is going to cause problems for him.

This was not in book one. I am wondering if it is in book two, which I have put on hold at the library.

Karen

The month is over, but if you have comments on the book or the TV show, please feel free to write.

Thank you for your participation on this thread.

Karen

So now that the TV series has also finished, do you feel that the books were accurately represented for the most part, or abused?