Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

As soon as I know more about the chapters I will set up additional threads. This is the first of the spoilers welcome set.
What do you think, is it a powerful beginning?
Would we have said that about To Kill a Mockingbird which began, "When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow."?
The first to post please summarize this segment for future guidance.

Chapters 1-4 spoilers welcome. Summary:
Chapter 1
Jean Louise Finch traveling home to Maycomb AL for her fifth annual trip from NYC vividly describes the journey. Train travel was different back in the 1950's.

Chapter 2
Atticus Finch, 72 years old has rheumatoid arthritis and is unable to pick up his daughter at the train. Henry (Hank) Clinton does that duty as well as being Atticus' right hand in the law office. Henry interned with Atticus and works side by side in the office with him after Scout's brother Jem's death two years ago. He also wants to marry Jean Louise. Jean Louise isn't sure about that.
Along with Atticu's sister Alexandra, they sit and reconnect after Jean Louise is home.

Chapter 3
Alexandra Finch Hancock knows Jean Louise's hot button and the two clash over lady-like behavior, the proper manner and responsibilities of a young woman in Maycomb and whether Jean Louise should marry Hank.

Part two Chapter 4
Hank and Scout eat dinner Saturday at the restaurant in the local hotel.

Reece Witherspoon is perfect for the narration of the audio!

I am immediately drawn into the story, the train in chapter one seems to take the reader on a journey with Jean Louise and a journey back in time. I have a picture of Maycomb Alabama in my head, partly from my childhood, and "knowing" Alabama fairly well from living in Tennessee and partly from reading several books about Nelle Harper Lee and Monroeville AL where she gre up and lived part time. The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee was of great insight into the lives of the Lee sisters

I'm trying to take my time with this book. You just get the feel that you want to make sure you read each word. So far, the characters fit with who I would expect them to be, but I know from all the press there's a lot more to come. All except Jem, that was sad - and I wonder if we'll get more of that story. There are rumors that this was actually written before TKAM and if so what impact would that have on Jem's role in this story. At first I was shocked at the severity of Aunt Alexandra's attitude about Henry, but then I know that would be a very real sentiment at that time (I'm sure in some circles, even today)

Dawn:
I echo your sentiment on taking my time with this book, I have rewound and listened to passages over again; more than I would have done for the last twenty books combined. Rewinding not because I didn't catch the text, but because there are fore-shadowing moments
The characters are resonating with me too, it is very good to revisit the past from Scout's grownup perspective,

I was struck by all the pains Lee took to point out the effect of social strata on the lives of the characters. I agree with Ann that the attitudes and social mores will come into play later in the book.

I agree, Ann. And I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but her amateurish singing of church hymns is just perfect, not nearly as tuneful as we know she can sing (from playing June Carter Cash), and singing as a young girl would sing as well.

Ann wrote: "Reece Witherspoon is perfect for the narration of the audio!"

I read a post somewhere, maybe it was on one of our Facebook groups, that suggested that this and To Kill a Mockingbird were desired prerequisite reading for Go Set a Watchman. I can see that, although it was not something I was inclined to do.

Ann wrote: " The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee was of great insight into the lives of the Lee sisters ..."

I find myself thinking about this a lot (the sequence of writing) while reading the story, as I also connect the older and younger Scout with the Scout from TKAM. (And Atticus too.)

Dawn wrote: " There are rumors that this was actually written before TKAM and if so what impact would that have on Jem's role in this story. ..."

I am looking forward to that connection. Right now the story is feeling a bit underwhelming, especially when compared to TKAM. Although full disclosure I never read the book, so don't know how it unfolded in print, only know the movie version.

So far this has me more comparing it to something like The Help, a slice of life of the south at a certain time in history. Not nearly carrying the weight of TKAM. But I admit it is perhaps early on to make those comparisons, I just can't seem to help making them as I listen now.

Barry wrote: "I agree with Ann that the attitudes and social mores will come into play later in the book. ..."

Carol: I think both Harper Lee books are deceptively simple but deeply resonant stories. I have thought of The Help several times too.
Wow, how did Ms Jan O'Cat let you get away with not reading TKAM Carol?!? :)
At her urging and sharing of a copy, I did read TKAM and then watched the movie. Someday soon I am going to listen to TKAM too, fairly recently released on audio and read by Sissy Spacek.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I am looking forward to that connection. Right now the story is feeling a bit underwhelming, especially when compared to TKAM. Although full disclosure I never read the book, so don't know how it..."

Wow, I keep thinking of The Help too as I read this book! Interesting!

Ann wrote: "Wow, how did Ms Jan O'Cat let you get away with not reading TKAM Carol?!? :)..."

LOL. I think I dug my heels in!