Last night saw the fourth meeting of the crime book club on Google+ Hangouts. What I’m absolutely loving about the club, is not only that it is specifically for crime fiction, but that it is so wide reaching. Crime fans can meet regardless of geographic boundaries. Last night there was a member present from the UK, the US, Australia and France. How great is that!?
We discussed November’s book, The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald. You can watch the meeting below. It is recorded every month on YouTube.
It was a brilliant meeting and the book provided a lot of points for discussion.
The group found the novel perceptive and realistic in its portrayal of media frenzy and the incidents the press choose to pick up on. The relationships were complicated and well layered and comparisons between Joanna and Alistairs ex-wife Alexandra were explored. Perception was a big theme that came out during the group chat and it was felt that Fitzgerald weaved varying perceptions quite seamlessly throughout. It was a book that was emotional and though it was felt using the word “enjoyed” was a bit odd considering the content, all members said they thought it was well written, a good read and would read another book by Fitzgerald.
An interesting point came out this month with the authors use of social media within the novel, specifically the use of named websites and Twitter usernames. So much so, that the website was searched for during the book club meeting!
And talking of Twitter, with another interesting turn in this months choice, Fitzgerald found out that we were reading The Cry and offered, via Twitter to answer any questions that we might have. @_alisongray put forward a couple of questions and these were answered. You can find out what these were towards the end of the meeting.
For December we are reading Dead of Winter by Peter Kirby. We will meet on Wednesday 18th December at 8 p.m. GMT. I know it’s close to Christmas but don’t forget, you don’t have to get ready to go out anywhere and the meeting lasts between 40-50 minutes, so I do hope you can make it.
Inspector Luc Vanier is drinking his way through Christmas Eve when he is called out to investigate the murder of five homeless people. His investigation takes him into the backrooms of the Catholic Church, the boardrooms of Montreal’s business elite and the soup kitchens and back alleys of street life in winter.
For January, as it is a New Year and a new start, the theme will be debut crime novels, so if you want to nominate a book, please let me know. I look forward to many more meetings!
Thanks for writing these meeting summaries Rebecca (and for all the work you put into organising and chairing the meetings each month).
Sad I missed it but now that I know what time you have it – I will make it to next month’s one. 🙂
– KimK
This seems like such a simple but great idea Rebecca. I have no idea when it comes to Google + but I am betting that there are groups like this for all genre? 🙂
Rebecca – Thanks for leading such a brilliant meeting. You’re terrific! Folks, do come and join us.
It’s cool your reading group is doing so well. There is a science fiction one I keep thinking I will join, but I have so many other books waiting on my iPad…
Hi ladies, Having just finished The Cry today, I really enjoyed watching your discussion and listening to what you thought. I too found it a harrowing and compelling read. Maybe one day I’ll manage to finish a book in time to join you.