2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Any other topics you’d like to discuss? Your overall opinion of the story?

This story was a good addition to the series. My only question is did we find out why Aaron was wearing a badge when he killed Paul? I don't remember if we learned why.

He killed two dirty cops in Newark, thinking they had the money and used their badges to make people think he was in law enforcement.

I liked the story but didn’t love it as much as the others. Too many action scenes.

Jonetta wrote: "He killed two dirty cops in Newark, thinking they had the money and used their badges to make people think he was in law enforcement."

That's right. I forgot about him killing the cops.

To be honest, this is the weakest book in the series for me. It is so full of plot holes and inconsistencies not to mention the excessive descriptions of Evan on the run.

Another thing that irked me was the fade to black scenes at the end of the chapters from Evan's POV. Every time he gets in trouble and the reader is never made aware of how he escapes.

Aaron as the killer also doesn't make sense. Why didn't he kill Lance? Why send a letter to Tina that could be easily intercepted? Why kill Paul and not go directly to Tina for the money? Why continue to pursue Evan at all? He could just have let him take the fall for the murder.

Also, Brian Springer's explanation doesn't make sense at all. I think Leigh changed her mind halfway through writing and made Aaron the killer when it should have been Brian (the badge, his excessive force, his involving himself with the letter).

Jonetta wrote: "He killed two dirty cops in Newark, thinking they had the money and used their badges to make people think he was in law enforcement."

This had a tacked-on feel to it instead of being a natural conclusion.

Frankly, all those scenes involving Evan and his escapes were hard to visualize. I even had trouble with the ones between Lance and Aaron. They were just too intricate and I got lost.

I actually have no issues with Aaron being the killer. One his Dad came back and resumed leadership, that left him out in the cold. He needed money and once he learned her whereabouts and that the cops hadn’t stolen the money, he went after her. Paul showing up in her stead probably made him think he knew about the money and it’s location. Otherwise, I think he just would have gone after Tina.

Lauren wrote: "To be honest, this is the weakest book in the series for me. It is so full of plot holes and inconsistencies not to mention the excessive descriptions of Evan on the run.

Another thing that irked..."

I was thinking a lot like your reasoning, Lauren.

Jonetta wrote: "I actually have no issues with Aaron being the killer. One his Dad came back and resumed leadership, that left him out in the cold.."

I'm with you on Aaron's motive, which makes total sense.

My issue is with the writing and the lack of foundation in the story for this resolution. There are too many inconsistencies and loose ends in the narrative that undermine the conclusion that Leigh provides.

For me, this book is not as well written or plotted as the previous books, and we all know I had problems with certain parts of those books as well.

Perhaps I have just read too many excellent police procedurals (Gerritsen, Slaughter, Robb) and Leigh's books fall short.

I agree, Lauren. It felt like she spent too much time on the action scenes and underdeveloped the characters. I did have to piece together Aaron’s motivations and behaviors a bit too much. And, we sure could have used more insight into Olivia Cruz. She and Sharp needed more alone time.

Jonetta wrote: "And, we sure could have used more insight into Olivia Cruz. She and Sharp needed more alone time.."

Yes! They needed their own series rather than having their characters tacked on in this one :(

I was a little disappointed with this story. I didn't have a problem with Aaron as the killer. I had to many questions about the execution of the story. I was angry with Morgan too.