Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Spoilers Welcome - this is the third segment in Part 1 'Buried Treasure' which ends 35% into the book at location 2044 for Kindle readers and then includes the beginning of Part 2 'Old Pals' for chapters 1-6 which ends 41% into the book at location 2409 for Kindle and page 183 for the hardback.

If the first to post could please summarize to guide the conversation it is appreciated.

1979-2014 (p127)
OK, so Morris is in prison, life sentence. He was raped in the first 45 minutes. This continued until some tough guys learned Morris could write, then they protected him for his services.
In high school, a teacher tried to bring up his lackluster performance by introducing him to Rothstein;s books. It was love at first read. The set was a trilogy, and Morris was taken by the series until book 3 where the main character appeared to sell out to the man. It was his mother’s reading of the books, and her criticism that drove him to get drunk and commit the crimes that landed him in the youth house.
He wondered in prison if Johnny Gold, the book character, found his spirit in the later books he had not read.
His friend Andy told him of the rumors that Rothstein had continued writing, and the further rumors that he would have his work burned when he died. He considered what to do about it.
Morris was a model prisoner, but he remained incarcerated when the woman he raped showed up at every parole hearing to tell of her suffering.
When Morris turned 55, the woman had Cancer and a change of heart. Morris was released.

Part 2 Old Pals (p157)
1
Cut to Kermit William Hodges (Bill). He is 62, already had his first heart attack, and is trying to get healthier. He works for Finders Keepers, and is awaiting a plane. He is a retired detective, and his hobby is catching criminals.

2. (p160)
Morris starts off with a junk food binge, but after enough nausea and the runs, decided that was enough of that.

3,(p162)
He survived a surprise visit from his parole officer, and then risked a trip to see that the trunk was still in place. It was, but Morris had not looked inside.

4.(p168)
Morris spies on his old friend Andy, who never answered a prison letter, and is now old and fat, running a bookstore. Morris is now thinking htat his lot in life was all Andy’s fault.

5.(p172)
Hodges gets ready to meet the plane. A mechanic gives him a bit of grief over where he parks, but he sweet talks, and bribes himself into staying.

6.(p175)
Hodges confronts the man who stole the plane he just arrived on. He meets some resistance, so uses a sap. They talk, a bit more persuasion is needed. Hodges convinces him t give up the plane and just leave.

I am once again commenting early, nothing in this post is beyond Part 1.
I just finished 1979-2014 and the end of part one where we revisit Morris and what happened immediately before and long after the fateful trip to rob John Rothstein. I wasn't really ready for Morris again, this segment lightly tarnished the joy I felt reading about Pete's experiences after finding the trunk and the money and notebooks. However it was very enlightening. I discovered things about Morris that led up to the scene at the beginning of the book that we weren't ready for yet back then, and the relationship he had with his mother. She was evidently quite a bitter woman.

Still part 1
I found the coincidence that Pete and his family are in the same house where Morris and Anita Bellamy lived rather disturbing. That foreshadows an easy ability to get to Pete when Morris is finally out of prison.
That Pete and Morris both discovered the Rothstein books at the same high school and that Morris' teacher Mrs. Todd introduces him to the books that will change his life while a much different boy, Pete is nurtured towards a broad sense of literature as his passion by a favorite teacher decades later is rather telling. I mean that it could be seen as a subtle indictment of the criminal justice system, and at least a pointing out of how a person's life can turn out badly if opportunities are not available for a better direction.
What if the money hadn't been available in the trunk for the Sauber family. What if Pete had been selfish and kept the money himself. What if Anita Bellamy hadn't been a bitter disappointed woman who (not matter what Morris thinks it wasn't her fault he was in prison, but she bears some blame) She could have had an actual discussion about the Rothstein books with her son, she is after all a professor / teacher of literature herself isn't she?

King really taps into our own personal dreams and disappointments doesn't he?

Comments on Old Pals chapters 1-6
One "old pal" Morris is out of prison and still a creepy, sneaky guy at 58, but knows enough to bide his time and impress his parole officer with good behavior.
Morrie. Everything is someone else's fault. He makes me very nervous being so near the Saubers.

Another old pal, "Kermit" Bill Hodges. I didn't expect it would take us up into part two before he appears. It's good to know he is working with Holly and enjoying life, work and good health. Finders Keepers must be doing well to go after a "big fish" crook. It's good to have Bill back in the story.

Ann wrote: "What if Anita Bellamy hadn't been a bitter disappointed woman who (not matter what Morris thinks it wasn't her fault he was in prison, but she bears some blame) She could have had an actual discussion about the Rothstein books with her son, she is after all a professor / teacher of literature herself isn't she? ..."

I was almost sorry for Morris with this nasty vindictive shrew as a mother. We assume bad criminals have trashy moms, but here is an educated, accomplished and maybe even principled woman (professionally) who is a train wreck of a mother, doing everything she can to tear down her son instead of building him up, and over what? Not sure it's in this section so I'll put it in spoiler marks (mild spoiler) but when she (view spoiler)[read the three Rothstein books for the express purpose of tearing them down and belittling Morris for his lack of taste (hide spoiler)] I really despised her.

Excluding the fact that it was Morris, I loved the description of when someone first falls in love with reading! Can anyone remember if it was a specific book like The Runner in this case? I don't remember a specific book but I do know I was an avid participant in the summer reading programs at our library. Nancy Drew was probably my first mystery books! One summer stands out though that solidified my passage into adult reading...I'm guessing 7th grade...I read Catcher in the Rye for my older sister-it was her mandatory summer reading.:) I also remember the summer I read Thorn Birds. I digress. Oh but one more thought....I loved reading on my own, but it was definitely a teacher that hooked my daughter. Wonder how many teachers passed on this joy.
I don't know Ann...so far Anita isn't as bad as some of the other mothers in King's books...lol...I'm not feeling any sympathy for Morris yet - he creeps me out too much. Carol - your spoiler is safe, she did that in this section. Glad to finally have Hodges appear! Seems like he's in a good place. Curious to see why Barbara Robinson is calling him because nothing has happened to Pete or Tina yet.

Reading that about both Morris and Pete's reaction to The Runner made me think about an impactful first book and I couldn't isolate one.
Nancy Drew was one of my first and early loves, too, though I can't be sure that Perry Mason wasn't "my first mystery" book.
My first reading memories are tied to my first library card at 6 years of age, the earliest I could have my own instead of books checked out on my mother's card. I remember devouring several biographies about settlers in the U.S. West told from a child's point of view. I identified with the Native Americans whose way of live was being taken away by the migration to settle the west.

Oh wow Ann...you reminded me of those first trips to the library. Our library was in a town over, and it was old, and big. My mom didn't drive, so it was a once a month trip with dad and I remember coming out with a stack of books from the children's room. When I was a freshman in hs I got a job in the library-a smaller town one and worked there for a couple of years. They used to let me read the new books before calling the people on the list because back then I'd read them in a day or two.
Do we have to keep this on topic ;)...I can also relate to Tina. I went to a parochial grammar school My two older sisters went to the paraochial high school that everyone from grammar school went to. But by time I was in 8th grade, the hs had raised tuition quite a bit, and my parents couldn't afford it. I was sad, but like Tina, understanding. Okay, enought about me..I promise!

Dawn: I really felt for Tina too and Pete as well.
In so many ways this showed the caring nature of Pete, and how he felt like he had to be a parent to her and provide for her, and to give up something that was so very important to him too. I felt sadness that he was so young and inexperienced to not be able to realize that sometimes you can't get something you want. (legally at least)

I always struggle with recalling my first book. I think it must have been a Nancy Drew, because my earliest memories are of going to the local big box store and picking one off the shelf. That was followed very closely by the Trixie Belden series, and I identified much more with Trixie than I ever did with Nancy.

Strangely enough my most vivid book obtaining memories are not of trips to the library, but instead are trips to the bookselling trailer that would come to my school periodically loaded with paperbacks for sale. I couldn't wait for them to come around.

Morrie's mother was a poster child for women who should never reproduce! What a bitch.....and I'm being nice here!

Seems children who come from troubled homes, even when the trouble may be short-lived, look out for each other. Pete was truly a loving brother to put himself in harm's way like he did to try and get what Tina wanted.

I always loved books and I remember well the book that made me fall in love with reading. GREEN EGGS & HAM! When I first learned to read (I could read before I went to school thanks to my mom and my dad's youngest sister), I'd get it every other time we went to the library. At 80 my mom can still recite the book to you from memory because I'd read it to her over & over when she'd be cooking.

Oh that's funny about Green Eggs & Ham. For me it was The Cat in the Hat. I can still picture the illustration of just the mom's leg as she is walking towards the house, about to burst their bubble (and more). LOL!

Melodie, that's a great memory! I love how you took it out over and over again. Carol....your first suspensful Thriller book ;)

Dawn wrote: "Melodie, that's a great memory! I love how you took it out over and over again. Carol....your first suspensful Thriller book ;)"

I finally got my very own copy for my birthday when I was in the 1st grade.

Melodie! I love your Dr Seuss first book memories of Green Eggs and Ham, especially that you and your Mom share and recall your multiple readings of it!
Melodie wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Melodie, that's a great memory! I love how you took it out over and over again. Carol....your first suspensful Thriller book ;)"

I finally got my very own copy for my birthday when ..."

LOL! Dawn, I hadn't thought of that but you are exactly right!!!

Dawn wrote: "Melodie, that's a great memory! I love how you took it out over and over again. Carol....your first suspensful Thriller book ;)"