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  May Group Read: THE DOLLMAKER by Amanda Stevens

  ****Warning****Spoilers Below*****Warning****
  
  Now that the warning is out of the way, let’s give a HUGE round of applause for Amanda Stevens who has agreed to lead us in a group discussion beginning on the 1st of May.
  
  Here’s the description posted on Amazon about THE DOLLMAKER:
  
  And now a new clue has surfaced...a doll that is the spitting image of Claire Doucett's missing child, right down to the tiny birthmark on the girl's left arm. A chance sighting of the eerily lifelike doll in a French Quarter collectibles shop leaves Claire shaken to her core...and more determined than ever to find out what happened to her beloved Ruby.
  When the doll is snatched and the store's owner turns up dead, Claire knows the only person she can turn to is ex-husband Dave Creasy, a former cop who has spent the past seven years imprisoned by his own guilt and despair. He let Claire down once when she needed him the most. Can she make him believe the doll really exists? She'll have to if they're to survive an encounter with a brutal psychopath— the dollmaker—who stole their future to feed an obsession that will never die.
  
  Amanda Stevens will be posting discussion questions. If readers also have their own questions about the book, either to the group or the author, please feel to ask below.
  
  

  deactivated member started this discussion 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  April P 

  This sounds like such a great book! I haven't read it yet, but have ordered it through Amazon, so I won't get to read it in time for the discussion, but I look forward to reading it soon! I am thrilled to have heard about this book from this grp! I have The Devil's Footprints that I am sooo excited to read! So many book, so few hours in the day, lol!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    April P. - Don't let time stop you from joining in the group reads. That's what's so cool about Shelfari discussion groups. Even members who join months from now, can add their comments/questions when finished with the book. So join in when you're done.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    April P 

    Great! Thanks for letting me know. As soon as I get this one, I will get reading. I would really love to do the grp book discussions. It sounds very fun. I also think it is so thoughtful and awesome that some of the authors lead!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Haji  

    Sorry, I tried my best, started beginning of March looking, finally getting a confirmation that the book was sent April 14th but media mail can sometimes take up to a month they say, and this one is going to push it I think :P !!
    
    

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    No worries, Haji. We'll be here when it arrives.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Jody Porter 

  Finished this one up last night. Looking forward to the discussion!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  kairilily 

  I ordered this book last night from Amazon along with All the Pretty Girls. I'll jump in when I'm finished!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  BethReadsAlot 

  I didn't start it yet. Didn't realize the discussion was starting the 1st of May. I have to finish up Hold Tight by Harlan Coben and then I will start it. Is this to be the trend, the discussion is starting the first of the month? I thought it was the May read. So we were reading beginning of May and then discussing mid May. I wanted the book to be fresh in my mind. Please clarify as I want to participate in the author lead reads.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    BethReadsAlot - We've always tried to start on the first. But like I said earlier, these discussions don't have a time limit. Join in when you can, but we try to get questions posted on the 1st and discuss it throughout the month.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    BethReadsAlot 

    J. Kaye,
    
    I haven't participated in a group read this year so I guess I forgot. I was mixing this up with another group. Thanks for the clarification.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  diamondgirl 

  I am half way through this now.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  IYamVixenBooks 

  Whoo-Hoo! It's MAY and we can begin the discussion!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  jenlaw77 

  I started this morning!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Amanda S 

  Okay, gang, I'm here (big wave)! I'll just dive right in with the first question. They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but let's do. The cover of The Dollmaker is pretty distinctive. In fact, I was floored the first time I saw it. It was just so different from what I expected. Do you feel the cover reflected the tone of the book?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    IYamVixenBooks 

    Yes, it did reflect the tone of the book. I was able to see that once I got over the cover of the book. It stayed on Mt Git'r'Read for a long while because of the cover! It scared the bejeezus out of me! It was my purse book, because I couldn't keep it on my nightstand.
    -V-

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Amanda S 

    My editor first sent it to me in a huge file and as I watched it open in sections, I just kept thinking, holy cow! Is this going to help or hurt me?

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Jody Porter 

    Very creepy cover for a very creepy book. So, yeah, I definitely felt that it reflected the tone well.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Ladyslott 

    The cover was one of the creepiest ever. I kept it face down when not reading it as it scared me too much.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    diamondgirl 

    The cover really didn't bother me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Colleen S 

    I'm only partway through the book but so far I think the cover totally reflects the book. It's pretty creepy. In fact, when the book first arrived on Monday, one of my daughters had to cover it up because it scared her. But then, I've always found china dolls and ventriloquist dummies to be kinda creepy.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    sweetpea78 

    Great cover. I judge books by their cover ; ) and I thought this one reflected the book well. It is super creepy for a wonderfully creepy story.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    It's an up-in-your-face scary. I like the fact it stands out and yes, it reflects the tone. Love it!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • Amanda S removed this reply 1 year ago.

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    jenlaw77 

    Welcome!!
    The cover was pretty scary...the purple sinister "lighting" i guess you would say, plus the deep green eyes.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Jody Porter 

    Yes, Jenn, that eye! That's what got me. So...human looking, right in the midst of the obviously doll face.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Icedream 

    Yes, I think it reflected the tone really well. I agree about the purple lighting that must have given off the creepy vibe. It's funny how your mind plays tricks because I could have sworn the doll face had a crack in it but I had to recheck and it didn't.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Lostbagpuss 

    Hi Amanda this is great isnt it ?
    I find dolls and dummies very creepy so kept the book under a pile of others til I was ready to read it - so in common with everyone else yes the cover was very reflective of what the book was about and certainly prepared me to be spooked

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Scarlett 

    The cover drew me to it right away, very creepy and did set the tone for the book.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    BethReadsAlot 

    I am creeped out by the cover too. I don't like looking at it. this is definitely a book I wouldn't have picked up because of the cover, but I would not have not bought it because of the cover either. . It is a very good read so far.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Readingrat 

    I thought the cover was very well done.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    kairilily 

    I see that Jody mentioned it looked like a human eye on a doll's face, but I felt just the opposite. It felt to me like a human face with a doll's eye. I guess the eyelashes are why I thought that way. But, yes, I think the cover definitely reflects the tone of the book.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Brad B 

    OK, I finished the book! The cover: neat looking, but I really didn't get creeped out by it.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Amanda S 

  I love to read books with a strong sense of place. Did you think the New Orleans setting was realistically described? Could you imagine this story being set anywhere else?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    IYamVixenBooks 

    I've been to New Orleans a time or two and I think the city was realistically described. I am not sure the story would have been as spooky and atmospheric if located elsewhere.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    diamondgirl 

    I have never been to NO but I love reading books that are set there.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Amanda S 

    I was working on this book when Katrina hit. My editor and I talked about changing the setting, but I just couldn't see it anywhere else.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Ladyslott 

    I think the New Orleans setting was perfect for this book, NO always has the voodoo vibe for me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Colleen S 

    I can't imagine it being set anywhere other than NO even though I haven't been there. I missed my chance in college because I was sick and haven't managed to make it there since.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    I live in Baton Rouge. Anyone living around this area should know there are no similarities between BR & NO. They are as different as night and day. So are the people. For that matter, so is all of Louisiana. North Louisiana is like another state when compared to the southern part. So when I find out an author isn’t from Louisiana, but they are writing about it, I usually avoid the book. An outsider can’t write about the culture here and get it right.
    
    I’m about an 1/8th of the way in and am blown away. I close the book and go online in an attempt to find out where you’ve lived. You aren’t from here, but you have me convinced you lived in or around the area. Did you spend time in NO? If not, how did you get so accurate with the culture and its people?
    
    Oh and the answer to your two questions - yes, VERY realistic and no, I couldn't imagine. I could just see the doll shop in NO. It fit in there so perfect as did the owner going to the doll show in BR.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Amanda S 

    Oh, thank you! That's a huge compliment! I attended a readers luncheon last year in Baton Rouge, and one of the area writers told me she thought I must have lived in New Orleans in another life. I like that explanation a lot. All I know for sure is that the city just speaks to me. It always has.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    jenlaw77 

    I've never been to New Orleans, but I think it was pretty realistically described based on what I know of it. I don't think it would be as "creepy" had it been set somewhere else.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Kristie C 

    I thought the setting was great. I have never been to New Orleans but it seems to be such a great setting for great suspense and mysteries. I think it was a perfect match.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Icedream 

    I've never been to N.O. but once I read the book now I can't picture it taking place anywhere else.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Lostbagpuss 

    I live in the UK and although have been to USA have not been to NO ( as you call it ) but books set in the city do seem to have a certain ambience about them, I am interested Amanda in your comment that "you just couldnt see it anywhere else " as a writer then location obviously drives the book so do you start with a specific location or does that come as you sketch the plot ?

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Scarlett (edited)

    I have never been to New Orleans but I could see it very clearly in my minds eye from your descriptions. I would like to visit there one day. And no, I couldn't see the story taking place anywhere else.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    BethReadsAlot 

    I have never been to New Orleans but I am enjoying it. It seems real to from what I have read about New Orleans. the story fits here.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    kairilily 

    I've never been to New Orleans, but it seemed to fit the story. Although, I don't think it would have made a difference to me if it had been set elsewhere.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Brad B 

    I had visited NO just before Katrina hit and absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed "revisiting" most of the places that were mentioned in the book. I love it when I can read about a location in a book and know what the author is talking about. I thought NO was captured quite nicely.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Amanda S 

  When The Dollmaker made the rounds at publishing houses, one of the rejections I received complained about Dave’s character. This particular editor thought he was too dark and depressing. Did you like Dave or, like this editor, did you think he was too flawed to be a hero?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    IYamVixenBooks 

    I, for one, need my heroes to be flawed. Dave had every reason to be dark and sad. I don't think he was depressing, though. There is a difference.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Amanda S 

    I think the key to any character is proper motivation.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Jody Porter 

    To be honest, I was a bit disappointed in Dave. Don't get me wrong: LOVED the character. I just wish that he could have maintained his sobriety. I know what he was going through (not with alcohol, but nicotine), and I was impressed by the way you described the tempations and how he dealt with them. It was very real.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Ladyslott 

    I'm with Vixen, I like my heroes to be flawed. Dave went through a lot and he wore his battle scars out there for all to see. I liked his character a lot.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    diamondgirl 

    He was a little over the top, but not too bad.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    sweetpea78 

    I think a flawed character is more realistic than a squeaky clean one.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    Since when did dark become bad? Personally, I like dark books. If Dave hadn't been what he was, the story wouldn't have been believable.
    
    I thought you were brave to have him be sort of a bad guy at the beginning. By that, I mean, he cheated on his wife. Knowing that, I was surprised at how quickly I warmed up to him. This may be due to he's taking all the blame for his actions and now facing up to the past, especially when walking away would be easier to do.
    
    I love Dave! :-D

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Amanda S 

    It's funny, but I kept skirting around the cheating issue and my editor finally just said, "He cheated, okay? Deal with it." So I just put it out there.
    The same with his drinking. It made sense to me that he'd have setbacks.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    More about Dave’s turning to booze after being sober for eight months…
    
    Having experienced all the seven deadly sins on such an obsessive-compulsive level, I feel I can relate to Dave. If he hadn't picked up the bottle again, his character wouldn’t have achieved believability. He still wasn’t ready to be sober. He did want to change his life, but his knee-jerk reaction when the pain surfaced was to still pick up a drink. I think maybe the term dry drunk would apply?
    

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    jenlaw77 

    I loved Dave's character. The beginning of the book has him portrayed as such a bad guy and the "current" ex-husband is the good guy. The roles were reversed by the end of the book.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Icedream 

    Dave happened to be my favorite character. I agree that characters need to have something that the reader can relate too, flaws make them more believable.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Colleen S 

    Dave needed to be flawed. Nobody's perfect and I don't expect my heroes to be either. Besides, if he was perfect, then he'd be too smooth like that jerk, Alex!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Lostbagpuss 

    I liked Dave I liked his flaws and the fact that he fell off the wagon - given what he was going through mentally I thought it was inevitable and I agree with JK he just wasnt ready to be a "good guy " yet was he, even tho he was in a dark place and was very unhappy he was a warm character I felt and in comparison with Alex I know which one I prefer

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Scarlett 

    Dave was a "real" character. No one is perfect and he definitely had his flaws. I think he was a good guy underneath but losing a child would do horrible things to people and in this case Dave did. It made it even worse that he was cheating on Claire at the time of the abduction and his guilt was overwhelming. I felt he was a very believable character and I did like him.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    BethReadsAlot 

    To be honest the book picked up for me when Dave was in it more often. I happen to really like him. He is my favorite character in the book.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Readingrat 

    Dave was my favorite character.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    kairilily 

    I loved Dave. If he didn't have flaws, he wouldn't have been as interesting. JK brought up the cheating and I just wanted to say that my reaction to that situation surprised me. I found myself immediately blaming Angelette even though Dave was just as guilty. I liked him so much and it made me hate her even more than I would have normally.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    Jen, you mentioned Angelette and blaming her...I didn't at first. Not when this was brought up. Towards the end, when I found out that she called Clair? That's when I disliked her.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Brad B 

    I was rather disappointed when Dave fell off the wagon - but by doing that I think it kept readers eyes off of Alex, so it ended up making newer developments more of a surprise. I ended up really liking Dave at the end.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Not Rory Gilmore 

    Personally I thought Dave was realistic. Maybe I'm strange, but I didn't think he was really that dark or that depressing. I did think he was depressed, but who wouldn't be if they lost a daughter, became an alcholic, and then had your wife leave you? I think he's believable and I like Dave.
    
    Like a few other people said, I like them flawed. Who wants to read a book about a hero who is perfect and too good to be true? Psh. Not me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    Yeah, notrorygilmore, ya made it to the discussion...I was hoping you'd give us your input!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Amanda S 

  What about using the villain’s point of view? Do you prefer to be kept in the dark about the villain’s identity or does getting inside his head ratchet up the suspense?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    IYamVixenBooks 

    Those are the two types of suspense books out there, one is like a Columbo episode where you know the bad guy early on, the other is finding out the bad guy as you read. I like both, so long as they are well written. The ones that piss me off are badly written and I guess pretty much as soon as the character is introduced. The other is where I just do not care whodunnit. I tend not to finish this last example. Life is too short.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Ladyslott 

    I don't mind when I know it early on, as long as the suspense is still there. I also don't mind when i don't know until the end. What I hate is red herrings pointing to a number of suspects and then the villain is revealed, and it's someone who never played a role at all. (Patricia Cornwell does this a lot)

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • Ladyslott removed this reply 1 year ago.

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    diamondgirl 

    I like it both ways. Since the villian was not a main character it helped getting back story throughout.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Amanda S 

    I hate it, too, when the villain just shows up out of the blue at the end. To me, that's totally cheating the reader.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    There has only been one book I've read where I wished the author had kept me in the dark. In this case, I liked knowing what was going on and why he did what he did.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    jenlaw77 

    I like both...but like the others have said, if you know who the villain is all along, there still needs to be some suspense. I like knowing why bad people do the bad things they do.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Jody Porter 

    I feel like I'm stalking your posts, Jenn. Promise I'm not; we just have many of the same opinions. : )
    
    I agree with you. When well-written, the "why" is much more enjoyable to discover than the "who". IMO, anyway. (And, yes, this one was well-written.)

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Kristie C 

    I enjoy books written both ways, though I think when an author does a good job getting into the mind of the villian can add to the suspense and sometimes makes it even scarier because you see how messed up some people are.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Icedream 

    When your target audience are avid suspense readers then you come across the "been there" problem- we have read so many books that we begin to guess fairly quickly whodunnit. I don't mind knowing the villain's identity early on in a well written book, it's better than being able to guess half way through.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Colleen S 

    I like the villain's point of view, and while I don't necessarily want the whole book to be from his side, I do like getting the glimpses into his (or her) head. I'm fascinated by what makes people do the things they do.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Lostbagpuss 

    I like to be kept in suspense and I like to know what motivates the bad guy, I have to say that I thought that the suspense with regard to the murder, kidnapping and the doll and also the back story of Matthews life was well balanced and written so that even tho we knew he was a very very bad person there was a certain sympathy for the life he lead
    ( not for what he did of course )

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Scarlett 

    To me using the villain's point of view sets the tone for the character. Do we hate this guy right off, do we feel sorry for him or go back and forth. I personally liked the way clues were given to his identity but not totally giving it away right off. In turns we could be sympathetic to him but also hate him for what he was doing.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    BethReadsAlot 

    I like having a sense of where the villain came from. Not that it makes what they do excusable but it is good to see how they got to where they are and what precipitated them to become who they are.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    kairilily 

    As long as it's well written and keeps my interest, it doesn't matter to me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Not Rory Gilmore (edited)

    I agree with Ladyslott. I like both types, as long as the suspense is still there. Finding out who the killer is is not always why I keep reading - it's for the suspense. In some novels I keep reading to find out who the culprit is, but others, the suspense of finding out if they'll catch the killer/bad guy is enough for me.
    
    I also agree with what a few members above said about hating when the killer isn't introduced until the end. That angers me and makes me think the writer just didn't want the reader to predict the outcome.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Amanda S 

  Early on, you find out that The Dollmaker has abducted another child. Did this add a ‘ticking clock’ aspect to the story for you?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 13 replies

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    Ladyslott 

    Yes, I kept thinking about that poor girl and hoping that she would be rescued.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    diamondgirl 

    To be honest I had forgotten about her until it was brought up again.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    sweetpea78 

    Yes absolutely. It set a sence of tension that I look for in a suspense/thriller.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    Not as much as Dave finding the truth about the dancer. I was worried he was going to be killed in the end. When the cops didn't kill him, I thought sure the doll maker would. Soooooooo relieved he didn't die!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    jenlaw77 

    Yes...and I wondered all along how long she was going to be a live. Since apparently all the other girls were killed right after their dolls were made. But I guess since she was Maddy, then she would have the best chance of surviving. But if Ruby looked just like Maddy, then why was she killed? I would have liked more explanation as to what happened to Ruby.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Icedream 

    I agree with Ladyslott, she was on my mind through out the whole book.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Colleen S 

    Yes, I kept hoping she'd be ok. Although I maybe would have liked a little more info on her as well, but then that would have made it a totally different book so maybe not. (I'm feeling kind of indecisive today)

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Lostbagpuss 

    I am like diamondgirl by the time I got to the end I had forgotten about her and for a moment had to think back to remember who they were talking about - so no I didnt feel any suspense from that thread of the story

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Scarlett 

    I kind of lost track of the other abducted child with the dirty cop aspect and the trying to find out what happened to Ruby. I was disappointed that there was not more info on what happened to Ruby so her parents could put a period on it. Her body was never found and I would continue to hope she wasn't really dead. There was no finality there for me. No ticking clock there for me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    BethReadsAlot 

    I had forgotten about her until I started to add to these posts before finishing the book and that reminded me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Readingrat 

    Not really. I just assumed she would be dead long before anyone found out about Matthew. I was a little surprised to find her still alive at the end.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    kairilily 

    I didn't think about her much either.
    
    Jenlaw, the way I understood it is that Matthew kept the girls until they lost that gleam in their eyes. When they started to realize they wouldn't be found and lost all hope, he couldn't capture the essence of the child anymore and that's when he killed them. That's my understanding anyway...

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Not Rory Gilmore 

    Not really because I felt that scenes with the Dollmaker were few and far between that I didn't really think about it frequently.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Amanda S 

  I had a very clear image of Claire in my head as I wrote her. In fact, she was inspired by a character in one of my favorite movies. Claire, maybe more than any other character I’ve ever written, really spoke to me. Did she come to life for you? Did you find her sympathetic?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    diamondgirl 

    Yes

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    I'd say all the characters were crystal clear, but it was Dave who I related with, could see better than any other character and who I fell in love with the most.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    jenlaw77 

    Yes...she did come to life to me.
    
    May I ask who the character was?

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Kristie C 

    I did find Claire sympathetic though I really did like Dave a lot better. I really identified with all of his struggles and was sympathetic to him.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Icedream 

    I found her sympathetic but Dave came across stronger for me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    I did find Claire sympathetic. As a mother, I couldn't help wondering about how I'd react if, God forbid, something like that happened to one of my girls. In fact, while I was finishing up the book this morning, one of my daughters was outside riding her bike and I kept glancing out the window every so often because I'd be sucked into the story and then it would occur to me that I hadn't seen her go by for a few minutes. I was almost at the point of taking the dog out so I could look for her when she came riding into the drive. My paranois wouldn't have been appreciated since she'll be 13 next week so I didn't say anything to her but I just breathed a sigh of relief to myself.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    I liked both Claire and Dave - I liked the fact that she was determined and independant which was demonstrated when she realised that she wanted Dave back in her life and went and got him - when she stayed the night with him not when she asked him to find the dollmaker -

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    I did like Claire and she did come alive to me. I was very sympathetic to her and especially when no one would believe her.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    BethReadsAlot 

    I don't know that she came to life for me, I felt for her as a mother. As I said earlier, the character I enjoyed the most was Dave Creasy. The book was able to be put down until I got to the part where Dave was in it consistently, then I couldn't put it down, read the last 200 pages straight through. I was concerned he was going to die, and I didn't want that to happen.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    Claire did come to life for me and I thought she was a wonderful, strong character. However, I also liked Dave more.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Not Rory Gilmore 

    I like Claire and I certainly found her sympathetic, but it was Dave I really liked. I know he cheated and had his flaws, but he was the one I really felt for. However, I did really like Claire.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S 

  What character could you relate to the most?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 12 replies

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    Charlotte

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    sweetpea78 

    I wouldn't say I necessarily relate to her but I have a few family members who remind me of Lucille.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    Oops...should have read this before I answered the previous question. You something odd, I felt for Alex. As bad as he was, I don't think he meant to turn out the way he did.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Jody Porter (edited)

    I too would say that Dave is the character to which I most related. I've got an addictive personality, which I is why I refrain from alcohol as much as possible. (Occasional glass of wine with nice meal, and a few Sam Adams never hurt anybody though. :) ) I'm 8-months nicotine-free, so in that sense I am right where Dave was in his "recovery". Your descriptions of Dave's tempations were spot-on.
    
    Edited to add: Also, I think we all dwell on past mistakes. But at the same time, we find a way to trudge ahead and make something out of it. Seems as if Dave is on his way to doing just that.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    jenlaw77 

    I don't know if I could relate necessarily to any of the characters...but if I HAD to pick one, it would be Claire. I'm a mother myself...and I had to stop myself from thinking about how I would react if one of my boys were abducted.
    
    That said, I think the character that was developed the most was Dave...I felt like I knew him more than the other characters.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Icedream 

    I agree with Jen, Dave was the strongest character for me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    I think Dave. Even though I related to Claire as a mother, I tend to have a bit of an addictive personality so I identified with Dave dealing with his demons.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    I could identify with Claire - I am a mother and am rather strong and independant myself - I could see me doing and feeling, in the same situation, what she did and felt - and of course, like Claire I liked Dave lol

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    I agree with Lostbagpuss. As a mother I could relate to Claire the most and would heaven and earth to find out what happened.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    BethReadsAlot 

    Well, I answered that in the above question, LOL. In case you missed it, DAVE!! I could read another book where he comes back. That would be really good!!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Readingrat 

    Like Claire, I'm a mother, and personality-wise I probably reflect her more than any other of the female characters in the book. However I fell like I related the best to Dave.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    I related to Claire the most probably. But I still liked Dave the best!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S 

  Lucille, Claire’s mother, was a real trip to write. She has a lot of my older sister in her. Did you enjoy Claire’s relationship with her family? Knowing what they knew about Claire’s past ‘obsession’ with children who looked like Ruby, did you think her mother and sister's reluctance to accept her ‘doll’ story was believable?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 10 replies

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    Yes and yes

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    Loved Lucille! I know some people just like her too. I was really upset no one believed Claire and cheered Dave when he did.
    
    Of course if everyone believed her, it wouldn't have made for a good story...lol!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    jenlaw77 

    I LOVED Lucille...I had a perfect image of her in my mind. I think Claire's relationship with her family was very realistic. And yes...they were reluctant to believe and accept her doll story.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    Yes, I thought she had a good relationship with her family and I thought it was completely believable for her mom and sister not to accept her doll story. And I found it perfectly reasonable that Claire would be obsessed with children who looked like Ruby. I think that was probably the worst for her--knowing in her heart that Ruby was dead but not having the closure of her body being found.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Ladyslott 

    I think everyone has a "Lucille' in their family, I really liked her character. the family dynamics were believable except I had a hard time accepting Charlotte's betrayal of Claire. It really bothered me that she could do that to the sister who had already been through so much.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    Yep! I too loved Lucille and her relationship with her daughters - I think it was entirely natural that Lucille and Charlotte disbelieved Claire about the doll although sisters usually do have a little bit of themselves that would go along with it -
    I am not sure that Charlotte would have slept with Alex though as the relationship between the sisters seemed close and that segment of the story didnt really seem to add much except of course for the conduit to Lee Elliott which, if you dont mind me saying was a bit slick, a bit too easy

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    Lucille was a fun character even though she wasn't a big part of the storyline. I thought she took a back seat to Charlotte who was sleeping with Alex. I was disappointed in that part because Claire really needed someone to believe in her and instead, Charlotte is sleeping with her almost ex. But that said, after all the false alarms that Lucille and Charlotte had been through with Ruby sightings, this was believable.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    BethReadsAlot 

    Yes, I loved Lucille...too bad we didn't get to read more about her, she was a trip and a half.
    
    Totally understand mom and sis not believing Claire. It had happened too many times before and they didn't want to see her devasted again.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    I did enjoy her relationship with her family. As for Charlotte sleeping with Alex, to me it was believable. I have one sister that tried to move in on my exhusband while we were still together!
    
    I did think their reluctance to accept her doll story was believable. She'd been seeing "Ruby" at places for years.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Not Rory Gilmore 

    Oh yes. The more obsessive someone gets about something like that or the more false sightings of Ruby, the less likely anyone is to believe Claire. I didn't think it was horrible that her mom, sister, or Alex didn't believe her - it was only natural.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S 

  In telling Matthew’s back story, I knew I ran the risk of making him too sympathetic, but I thought it important to show how ‘The Dollmaker' was born. Were the flashbacks essential to the story or did they slow down the action too much?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 16 replies

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    They were essential but I found them to be confusing. I didn't really get what was going on with the Maddy/Matthew thing.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    sweetpea78 

    I don't think they slowed the action but it took me a while to make the connection they were the same person.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Amanda S 

    Good to know. That's something I need to watch out for.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Amanda S 

    Good to know. That's something I need to watch out for.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    No, not at all and these were sprinkled throughout the book like breadcrumbs.
    
    I did feel for Matthew. Of course in the end, I wanted Dave to forget about the girl in the room and choke the life out of him. But with a father like that...yeeee...who couldn't help but feel for him?
    
    I was glad the father and aunt suffered in the end. Matthew suffered all his life.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Jody Porter 

    Other than Dave dealing with his caving temptations, the Matthew/Maddy part of the book will be what I most remember. My favorite sentence in the entire book, in fact, ends the "flashback" in Chapter 17: "And no one came to release him from his prison." WOW. Talk about a jaw-dropper. Things started to come together in my mind after reading that one.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    jenlaw77 

    I loved reading about Maddy/Matthew. Like I said before...I like to hear about the history of a person that commits a crime...why they did it. The motivation.
    When I figured out the Maddy/Matthew thing, my draw dropped and I was drawn in even more..

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Icedream 

    I loved that you added Matthew's back story. I found the flashbacks the most compelling part. I guess I like to glimps into the darkside. :)

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    THey didn't slow the action for me, but my jaw I think dropped open when I made the Matthew/Maddy connection. I sort of wished there'd been a couple of more flashbacks but that might have made his character too sympathetic. I think we had just enough to "get it" but not enough to completely feel for him. That must have been a tough balancing act to write!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Ladyslott 

    I think you did make Matthew sympathetic, but I think it was n integral part of the story, what made him what he was. However, I did guess the Maddy/Matthew thing pretty early on, but I think that comes from reading a lot of the serial killer suspense format, which as a group we tend to read. A lot.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    the flashbacks were essential to the story and although as in my previous post we couldnt condone what he did Matthew's story was very sad and moving and like others my jaw dropped when I got the connection, which I did at the right point I think - and of course made it easy to see not only his motivation but also how the various things that he did fit in
    the spookiest bit for me by the way is when he took the doll to the cabin and put her under the floorboards with the others that he couldnt make like Maddy I could see the river and the shack and worst of all the eyes !

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    I loved the flashbacks. Each one gave a little more of a clue into Matthew's psyche and didn't slow the story at all. They were very important to the story imo and helped to clarify and give him more depth as a person.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    BethReadsAlot 

    I don't think you made him too sympathetic, we needed to know what had happened to him. I enjoyed the flashbacks. I liked finding out what went on and made him evolve the way he did. They did not slow down the action and they were not confusing.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Readingrat 

    I also tremendously enjoyed the flashbacks.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    I thought the flashbacks were essential. It did make me sympathetic toward Matthew but not enough to think it was okay for him to kidnap and kill the kids. Like JK, even though I was sympathetic toward him, I would have liked Dave to just finish him off! Also, I didn't think the Matthew/Maddy thing was hard to figure out at all. I thought you laid everything out perfectly.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Not Rory Gilmore 

    I figured out as soon as I read the sentence that Aunt Savannah didn't know it was Maddy she was making the doll for. If she'd met Maddy once, she'd probably know that it was her, so I figured out that Matthew and Maddy were the same person. The Aunt story coupled with someone asking about Matthew revealed everything to me.
    
    It's funny, before reading that passage I had a feeling that The Dollmaker was a transvestite. I was expecting the woman who killed the man in the beginning to be the Dollmaker - choosing to be a woman or a man whenever he felt like it.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S (edited)

  I tried to paint Alex in shades of gray—not all bad, not all good. Did you find this to be the case, or did he come off as a self-serving jerk with no redeeming traits?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 18 replies

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    Self-serving jerk with no redeeming traits

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Amanda S 

    LOL. I was afraid of that.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    Gosh, maybe I should have read all of the questions before answering...lol! I just posted about Alex above. I didn't know that you intended to paint him in shades of grey...lol! Now I am not surprised at my reaction to him.
    
    He was self-absorbed, but I don't think he perceived his actions as such. He didn't want all the other cops to lose their careers over one person.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    I work with cops and nothing annoys me more than when they think they are above the law because they are the law. He didn't want them to lose their careers? They were having private sex parties with underage girls. They deserved to lose more than their careers. Alex doing what he did was for no other reason than to cover his own a**. He helped cover up a murder and used the kidnapping of someone's child to his advantage.
    Sorry, things involving cops gets to me lol

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    Uhhh...I was looking at it from a detached point of view. I wasn't condoning what he did.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    jenlaw77 

    I wouldn't use words that are as severe as "self-serving jerk with no redeeming traits"...but he was a bit of a jerk.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • jenlaw77 removed this reply 1 year ago.

  • 

    Kristie C 

    Self-serving jerk. Didn't like him at all.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Icedream 

    Did not care for Alex at all. I just didn't pick up the shades of grey, in the end he was just a jerk for sure.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    Echoing...self-serving jerk with no redeeming traits. He was too smooth in the beginning so I automatically mistrusted him.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    Colleen S - You & Mama. She didn't trust him either...lol!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    J. Kaye--Too bad I can't recognize these things in real life. Although I have been married for 14 years so something must have sunk in at some point!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Ladyslott 

    He struck me as completely self serving, so I wasn't surprised he was behind the call to Dave.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    Yep he was a nasty piece of work alright and his attempts to make Claire the reason for the breakdown of the marriage, knowing what he had done to Dave were just the pits - so no shades of grey there I am afraid Amanda lol

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    I didn't care for Alex right off, he was too smooth and I pegged him for a bad guy right off.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    BethReadsAlot 

    You mean he wasn't? LOL. Never did warm up to him. Hated him for being with Claire too. Nah he was supposed to be a self serving jerk with no redeeming qualities.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Readingrat 

    I also vote for self-serving jerk. lol

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    Early on, I can say that there were shades of gray, but by the end, sorry, I have to go with jerk!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S 

  Did the scene with Matthew and his father surprise you? Did you feel it was symbolic?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 8 replies

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    It did not surprise me, no.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    The whole Matthew thing was surprising - his childhood, aunt, everything...it's what kept me up late trying to finish reading...lol!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    jenlaw77 

    Not at all...

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    Not surprised either. I didn't like Matthew but with a father like that, it's no wonder he turned out the way he did.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    it didnt suprise me and I am not sure symbolic is the word I would have used - the scene was what I guess every person who had been abused in that way would wish for the chance to do - it didnt seem to help him much tho

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    As my mother always says "payback is hell"! I was surprised that his Dad was still alive but liked this added twist.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    BethReadsAlot 

    No it didn't surprise me, paybacks being what they are. If he was so intent on getting his mother back and being who he was when he was with her, you would expect him to make his father suffer, his aunt too. Gave him the control they had over him.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    No it didn't surprise me. I did find it symbolic. Matthew thought what he was doing his dad (trapping him in a body that he couldn't control) was justice for his dad keeping him trapped in Matthew's body all those years when he really just wanted to be Maddy.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S 

  What do you think is the theme of this book?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 7 replies

  • 

    deactivated member 

    Hmmmmm....
    
    Hmmmmm....
    
    We can't change the mistakes of the past, but we can learn from it and try to do better.
    
    Or...
    
    That which doesn't kill you will make you stronger?

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Icedream 

    I would guess redemption.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    Redemption definitely, also learning from the past and trying to better in moving on. I was glad when Dave said he couldn't go back to the police force because he'd burned too many bridges. I could see him maybe going back to a police force, but not in NO, where he'd made all those mistakes.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Ladyslott 

    Echo Echo- redemption was the over riding theme for me.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    I think the theme is that whatever you do in this life you dont do in isolation, your actions impact upon others whether you know it or not and you should be aware of that and try to temper them so that you dont tread upon other folk
    ( if you know what I mean )
    yes redemption too - you can go back but only if you go back in a different frame of mind

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    Maybe that everything is not always as cut and dried as it seems. There are always some underlying currents lurking.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    I agree with Lostbagpuss.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S (edited)

  The original manuscript contained an epilogue, but my editor felt it dragged the story out and didn’t feel ‘mainstream’ enough, so I cut it. One of the complaints I’ve received about this book is that the ending seemed too rushed. Do you think I should have kept the epilogue?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 12 replies

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    It seemed incredibly rushed for me. It's so wham bam and I felt like some things were omitted. I thought a bigger deal would have been made about Angie. I mean I know a cheating husband is bad, but you never really found out why she was so wicked.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    sweetpea78 

    I would have like to read the epilogue, the ending left me wanting to know more.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    If there is going to be a book II with Charlotte as the main character, then no. I am probably the only anti-epilogue person on the list.
    
    No, the ending wasn't rushed and it ended perfectly. Loved it! But like I said in the other post, I'd like there to be a book II. THE DOLLMAKER's ending is perfect for something like that.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    There are a lot of questions I am still wondering the answers to. I would think there would be a sequel to tie everything up.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    jenlaw77 

    I would have liked to find out a little more about what happened to Rudy...maybe that could have been accomplished in the epilogue.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Kristie C 

    I think it was rushed. I went back to my notes about the book and that was my only problem with the book. I even said I thought 3 extra pages would have made it that much better.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Icedream 

    I would say go with your gut. I think an epilogue would have been great (unless like J.Kaye said, there is a sequel in the works).

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    I would have liked an epilogue to maybe tie things up, but if there's going to be a sequel, then maybe that could do the same thing.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    I dont think an epilogue was neccessary but I do think that everything came together a bit fast - however I am not saying that was a bad thing as I dont like long drawn out endings either

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    I would have liked an epilogue, the ending was rushed to me. Overall I thought the book was very good but I still had questions at the end.
    
    My biggest question is about the color of the eyes, and why were Matthews eyes the same color as Claire and Ruby's? This kept coming up in the book but there was no follow up and turquoise is an odd color so what are the odds?
    
    Some closure for Claire and Dave on what did happen to Ruby and where her body was could have been answered.
    
    What became of the real Savannah Sweete? Did she die?

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    BethReadsAlot 

    Some books have an epilogue to wrap everything up. Most times I don't even want to read it. I think what you did was good. Dave saved Claire and the little girl. You know that the aunt would get treated and the Dollmaker would go to an insane asylum. Char was not going to tell her sister about the affair. Alex was going to have to face his choices. Mom was where she needed to be with both of her daughters and then went to be with Charlotte who needed her more and Dave was there for Claire. I think it ended nicely.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    I agree with Bethreadsalot. Although I will say this. I thought everything was tied up nicely like she says, but it did seem to happen kind of quickly.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S 

  Did the ending leave you with the feeling that Dave and Claire might get a second chance or has that ship sailed?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 12 replies

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    Already sailed

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    sweetpea78 

    I think they might have a second chance.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    The way she asked for Dave at the end? And he was right there. Oh yeah, they are getting back together for sure!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    jenlaw77 

    I definitely believe a second chance is possible.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Icedream 

    I am rooting for a second chance.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    I feel they might have a second chance but I think, just as in real life, it wouldn't be easy and quite possibly wouldn't ultimately work out but I'd like to see them try.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Ladyslott 

    Since I think they both obviously care for each other, and since Dave had made strides in dealing with hie problems, I would say I felt they may have a chance at a new life together.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    Amanda didnt you know they got back together and lived happily ever after - thats what I wanted for them and I am sure it happened - for me I have to say that the main story was the love they had for each other and the way they felt about what had happened to them,

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    cassiea 

    I am hoping for a second chance.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    Dave and Claire have a big chance of getting back together. They have a bond that will last forever but will have obstacles along the way as real couples do.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    BethReadsAlot 

    If not together, then good friends.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    kairilily 

    I think a second chance is a real possibility.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Amanda S 

  I’ve had several requests for a sequel to this book. What would you like to see in a follow-up story? What questions would you like answered? And do you think Charlotte, Claire’s sister, has a story to be told?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 10 replies

  • 

    diamondgirl 

    More about Charlotte, Angie and Dave when he was with Angie

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    A book where Charlotte is the main character? Heck yeah!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    jenlaw77 

    I listed most of my unanswered questions...but yes, I would be interested in a sequel.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Colleen S 

    A sequel would be great! And yeah! I think Charlotte's got a story! Plus, does Claire ever find out about Charlotte and Alex. It seemed that Charlotte was going to tell Claire when she went over but then Claire thought Charlotte was going to tell her about Alex being the caller when Ruby was kidnapped and then the phone rang and stuff just happened from there.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Ladyslott 

    I'm a sucker for sequels, so yeah I'd like one. I would like to know more about Charlotte, but Dave and Claire need to be in there too, And Lucille for sure.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    I would like a sequel but I would like it to be Angie's story there were a lot of clues to Angie having had a hard life and had fought to get where she was as a police officer - I would like to know what happened to her to make her the way she is

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    deactivated member 

    Lostbagpuss - I never thought about that...how interesting that would be!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    I think a sequel would be good and Charlotte would make a good main character in the story. I addressed my questions that I would like answered above.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    kairilily 

    I thought the book was tied up nice enough to not need a sequel. However, if there was a sequel, I would also like the scoop on Angelette.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Not Rory Gilmore 

    I really don't see how there can be a sequel to this book. Everything seems resolved except for maybe some relationships...but how would that work into another thriller? Unless of course they involve Dave and his life as a PI. Otherwise, I really don't understand how a sequel can occur. I've love to see Charlotte as a main character, but I don't see how that works either.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Amanda S (edited)

  Let the discussion begin! (I really hope I was supposed to post all those questions at once.) Feel free to ask anything pertaining to the writing, publishing, marketing or anything else about the book.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 3 replies

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    deactivated member 

    Yes, all of the questions posted at once is best. Readers who have already finished the book can jump right in. :)

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lostbagpuss 

    Thanks Amanda for a great read and for hosting our discussion it certainly adds another dimension talking to the author and I hope you enjoy seeing what we all thought about your work

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Scarlett 

    Amanda, thanks so much for leading this discussion. I really liked all your questions and it made participation very easy. I will definitely look forward to reading more of your work.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  deactivated member 

  I do want to mention there is a book raffle for THE DOLLMAKER or THE DEVIL'S FOOTPRINTS (winner's choice) at http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/ (copy and paste) The direct link is http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/dollmaker-by-amanda-stevens.html

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  ahenry262 

  This group has got me on my toes! I just joined last Friday and already I'm going to try and speed-read All the Pretty Girls, then quickly pick up The Dollmaker. Sounds great!!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  show 2 replies

  • 

    deactivated member 

    ahenry262 - The list of upcoming books are found on the group's home page. Also if you add your name to the Updates II, I'll send notices of who has been added.
    
    Welcome to the group. THE DOLLMAKER is so good, I ordered her next book.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Scarlett 

    I think you'll enjoy "The Dollmaker" ahenry262 and the group, it's a fun one. : )

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  ahenry262 

  I'm going to speed through my current book and join in on this discussion later. I hope it lasts a while...I could not resist buying this book.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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