The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

This is the thread for Trust No One, New Zealand mystery writer, Paul Cleave's, most recent work, originally published in 2015. Ethan will be this group read moderator. Enjoy.

Hi everyone! I actually received an ARC of this novel back in July. It was one of my favorite standalone thrillers that that I've read in a long time, so I'm excited to begin discussing it with all of you!

I've seen this book all over GR lately. I'll probably have to jump in later, but look forward to discussing it.

Wow! I've gotta read this!

I have already called the bookstore and had a book set aside for me. I'll go pick it up tomorrow.

Ouch, I just checked. The price of this book is wayyy out of my league! God bless Agatha for her expensive stories and cheap prices!

I'm on a waiting list with my library for this one.

Has anybody else finished yet? I'm wondering about something, but I can't do the spoiler HTML on my tablet.

Deborah wrote: "Has anybody else finished yet? I'm wondering about something, but I can't do the spoiler HTML on my tablet."

I've finished it! What are you wondering about?

I just put this book down, and I must say it left me breathless with emotional response - from that of tender pity to that of an enraged sense of justice.

VickiLee wrote: "I just put this book down, and I must say it left me breathless with emotional response - from that of tender pity to that of an enraged sense of justice."

I agree! This novel really works on an emotional level. There is something about a person falling into dementia that just leaves you with a breathless sense of pity and sadness. Using this situation as the basis for a mystery has to be one of the most clever premises that I've ever read.

On a strictly emotional level, there were many times during this novel that I was reminded of Still Alice. Of course that one is much more tragic, but tonally the two are similar.

Ethan wrote: "VickiLee wrote: "I just put this book down, and I must say it left me breathless with emotional response - from that of tender pity to that of an enraged sense of justice."

I agree! This novel rea..."

Another good mystery/thriller in which the protagonist has Alzheimer's is Alice LaPlante's Turn of Mind.

For those of you who are reading, what is your reaction to the beginning of this novel? I was equally frustrated and intrigued at the start. I found it a bit slow to get into the rhythm of Jerry and his journal. Still, I really wanted to find out what was true and what was just a side effect of his dementia.

Ethan wrote: "For those of you who are reading, what is your reaction to the beginning of this novel? I was equally frustrated and intrigued at the start. I found it a bit slow to get into the rhythm of Jerry an..."

I actually was frustrated with the end of this book. I was immediately engaged and propelled through the book up to about 3/4 of the way through. I listened to Trust No One and felt often that audio format has the edge for this story - narrator was fantastic! I guessed what was going on well before the end and the way it ended seemed a little fantastical to me, leaving me let down and scratching my head a little. With that said, I overall enjoyed this book and recommend it with reservations. If you have direct experience with Alzheimer's, it would likely not appeal.

Deborah wrote: "Has anybody else finished yet? I'm wondering about something, but I can't do the spoiler HTML on my tablet."

What are you wondering about, Deborah? I'm finished.

In addition to the two books already mentioned that feature dementia, I will add Elizabeth Is Missing. I really liked it - another mystery but not so dark as this one.

Suzy wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Has anybody else finished yet? I'm wondering about something, but I can't do the spoiler HTML on my tablet."

What are you wondering about, Deborah? I'm finished."

Never mind, I hashed it out with Ethan a while back.

I agree that the ending was a bit predictable and ordinary. That being said, I felt Cleave was very inventive in the way he framed the story.

I finally started this one and half way through and really liking it so far. I hope the end isn't a let down like some of you are saying.

Even though this discussion is supposed to end soon, please continue to post as you read. I know this is a more recent publication and understand it may have been a bit harder to get a hold of. Thanks to everyone who has participated thus far, and please check in as you finish.

Overall I think this book had an interesting premise. It's something different in crime fiction and for 3/4 of the way I really enjoyed it. But I found the ending a real let down. Too many unnecessary twists and too many dead bodies.

It took away some of the believable factor. It's one thing to think a guy in his previous life committed a murder but what police detective would really believe a man in full blown dementia would be not only capable of a crime but multiple crimes and also of intricate cover ups?
(view spoiler)[ There was an interrogation good cop/bad cop scene that seemed like a ridiculous way to deal with an alzheimer patient (hide spoiler)]

Also alzheimer is such a depressing disease as it is, I was hoping for an ending that was less of a downer.

I read the book in just 2 days. A real page turner with lots of twists. I gave it 4 stars.

I am still waiting for our local library to get this one in, BUT I am first on the list when it does arrive! *:D And yes, I am in NZ, and it is a NZ author....