GiGi

    Hi Mrs. CrossXxXxX, How would the theory of Elizabeth Vidal having an affair with Dr. Lucas play out? Why would Elizabeth Vidal want to have an affair? What would her motive be? Dr. Lucas wouldn’t have been wealthy so she couldn’t have done it for the money. What’s your theory? :)

    Hi AMC, I don't think that Eva is being tailed 24/7. That would be a huge amount of man power and money! It isn't like Eva and Gideon are part of some huge underworld crime organization. Realistically this is one murder and somehow I can't see the police department putting that kind of man power into one crime when there are so many other crimes that need to be solved as well. What do you think? What does everyone think?

    Hi Mrs. CrossXxXxX, That has been another hotly debated topic of interest. Some say that Gideon has a hair fetish (well actually I jokingly suggested that). Others say that Sylvia planted the hair colour of some of the characters as a “red herring†or something to distract the reader with. Who knows? :)

    Hi MicheleWV, It is obvious that Gideon still has some very dark secrets and that’s preventing him from being completely honest. I wonder what those secrets could be. I don’t know if the Nathan issue is Gideon’s darkest secret. I have to wonder. Eva has figured out through Gideon’s dreams that he was seriously abused. Gideon can no longer hide that so he is forced to verbalize his abuse on some level (somehow I don’t think we have even scratched the surface there…). What I found more interesting is that while Gideon was opening up, he wasn’t able to cry. That is very significant to me. It is as if Gideon’s confessions are only a first step, but he hasn’t consciously connected himself with what happened as a child. Many abuse survivors say they almost have an out of body experience when they are being abused. It is a way for the mind to be able to protect itself. Part of the healing process occur when the abused person is able to feel the “feelings†(shame, fear, pain, outrage, depression, etc.) and it seems that Gideon isn’t able to do that yet. He can’t even talk about his dreams with Eva. I understand your passion and commitment to the book. I too feel that same passion, but from a healthcare stand point. I have seen so many ways that Gideon has been let down that it infuriates me! I want to believe the best in people and I so desperately want Gideon and Eva to have their happily ever after, because sometimes that doesn’t happen in real life. It is amazing that we are reading the exact same book, but we each understand it from a different perspective. I think that’s what makes this such an enriching online book club. :)

Hi ShazScott1980, I agree too! Is it just me or does anyone else think it is completely strange that Monica spotted Nathan outside of the Crossfire Building but NEVER said a word to Eva? Why?! Monica of all people knew what Nathan was capable of! So why say nothing to your only daughter, about a man who has clearly proven himself to be dangerous? In one instance the reader is lead to believe that Monica is over-the-top protective of Eva. She calls her constantly, makes sure Clancy drives her to “less safe†areas when she has Krav Maga, but when a huge real threat comes along….NOTHING?! I don’t buy it. Monica later confessed to Eva that Stanton had decided to pay off the blackmail. That would have meant that Nathan was in town for a least a week and not just for those few days. That in turn would mean that Monica knew about Nathan and his whereabouts for that entire time. Yet she still said nothing….hmmm? It also would suggest that Nathan went to Monica and Stanton first before he ever darkened Gideon’s door. I suspect that Nathan first went to Monica/Stanton thinking that he would be able to bully them into paying the blackmail but when they said no, he then went on to Gideon and then all heck broke loose. The entire situation is completely odd...sigh! Oh my, we still have to wait more than two months for the next book. Sigh!

Hi ShazScott1980, You bring up a good point. I could almost swear that Gideon and Monica were in cahoots about the Nathan issue. Why on earth wouldn’t Monica let her daughter know that Nathan was in town? Nearing the end of RIY, Monica confessed that Stanton had finally agreed to pay the blackmail. If that was true, then that means that Nathan was in town for over a week and not just a few days. Why did no one have a read on where Nathan was at? If Gideon was having Nathan followed, why wasn’t he aware of Nathan’s comings and goings? Or was Gideon aware? Did he grossly underestimate Nathan? I think that isn’t believable? Here is Gideon, an abuse survivor himself; he has seen photographic evidence of just how sadistic and violent Nathan could be but he thought that he could control Nathan by just having him followed? It doesn’t make sense. There has to be something more to this. I hope that Sylvia does clarify things in the next book. It seems that has stirred up a lot of controversy. June 4th will tell. :)

Hi Mrs. CrossXxXxX, I think that thus far, we have surmised that Magdalene was up to no good when she contacted Eva. I think that the photos Nathan had were of her being raped as a little girl. Only something really horrifying would get the attention of Stanton/Monica and Gideon. All other photos could be passed off to the media as a youthful indiscretion. One need only look at all of the real life socialites out in today’s society. They produce and profit from their own sex videos and no one bats an eyelash. :)

Hi MicheleWV, I never thought of Eva going and confronting everyone on Gideon’s behalf as something that might be psychologically comforting to the “little boy†in Gideon. It does make sense though. In a sense Eva is the first woman who has ever fought for Gideon, taken up his cause and expressed her outrage about what happened to Gideon as a child. I would almost think that if Gideon didn’t love Eva before this, he certainly would love her now. There is a saying that actions speak louder than words. Those actions must have spoken volumes to Gideon. The more I think about Gideon, the more I start to think just how incredibly insecure he appears to be beneath that confident exterior. I guess the question of the hour is how long will it take for Gideon to trust Eva and let down his guard? What do you think?

    Hi Mrs. CrossXxXxX, Welcome to the forum. I too, don't think that Gideon killed Nathan and I have been ribbed about it (). So it is nice to have someone in the other camp. I have nicknamed it Team Monica, Stanton, Clancy, etc. :)

Hi LNCronan, In order to compete you have to be in the game. Magdalene was never in the “game†in that Gideon most likely never; asked her out on intimate dates, touched her intimately or imitated any kind of sexual contact. All of these signs suggest to me that Magdalene had huge self esteem issues. Magdalene was willing to settle for scraps. She got the public dates but never anything more. I have to wonder where she learned that was acceptable or could it be that she made a play for Gideon but was rejected so she justified the rejection by telling herself a man like Gideon would have to make the first move. I also wanted to clarify that it was the media speculation that Magdalene was the girlfriend of Gideon and that Gideon allowed it or didn’t bother to clarify it because either; he didn’t care or it served his purpose in that it kept media attention of his “real†love life.

Hi LNCronan, The airplane theory wouldn’t work. Airplanes can’t fly off (take off for flight) without first having filed a flight plan with the airport they are taking off from and then the one they plan on landing at. They also have to have a flight manifesto/passenger list. It is a way of keeping track of who is coming and going. I could however see several of Gideon’s limousines or cars being dispatched at the same time and the cops having to figure out which car (if any) Gideon is in. As far as the means, motive and opportunity theory goes: • Monica, Stanton, Gideon, Angus, Clancy, etc. all had the financial means to “off†Nathan. • Monica, Stanton, Clancy, etc. had the motive in that Monica is the mother of the daughter whom was abused. Stanton is married to Monica etc. • What isn’t clear is if Monica herself was approached by Nathan or whether Nathan just approached Stanton for a payout or whether the both of them were approached. • Any good defense attorney would “Plan B†all of the prosecutions’ witnesses. Monica, Stanton, Clancy, etc. all had the opportunity to get rid of Nathan. • Mrsmajessick brought up a good point about the paparazzi and their ability to spot Gideon. I simply can’t buy that Gideon would be able to slap some disguise on and then poof…he would magically be able to avoid being spotted by “seasoned detectives†and the media who earn their living taking “juicy photosâ€. • I also don’t think that Gideon would be sneaking into her apartment an hour later. Everything that needs to be said could be done so while they are together in his apartment hallway. • You also stated that detectives are seasoned professionals, who know how to tail a suspect, etc., but now all of a sudden these detectives have lost their street smarts and Gideon just slips by them? I think not. • The only thing that the cops would be able to prove is that Eva went to Gideon’s apartment building. They would have to prove that Eva saw Gideon, they would have to link Eva and Gideon talking etc. and if anything that could backfire on the detectives again. Eva supposedly went to talk to Gideon but she rejected her yet again…. • Gideon could have said enough to Eva to reassure her and not taken up to much of her time and thereby keeping his alibi intact and Eva safe from suspicion. What do you think? What does everyone think?

Hi LNCronan, I don’t think that Detective Graves hit the jackpot with Eva’s dad (yes my paraphrase not yours). You theory fails to take into consideration that although Eva’s dad is a detective, he is a father first and foremost. He may not have been able to give Eva a luxurious lifestyle but he can certainly protect his daughter from legal harm; by helping whomever killed Nathan cover it up. I seriously don’t see Victor talking to the detectives to try and cut a deal for his daughter or even him throwing who ever it was under the bus. What I find interesting is why Eva still feels the need to lie to her dad about Nathan? I understand what Eva’s motives were when she was younger but she is an adult now and no harm can come to her mother? Was Victor in love with Monica or just the idea of her? Have the years just magnified a fond memory into a supposed huge torrid unrequited love? Did Eva’s dad really buy her lame explanation of Nathan or did he do a little investigating of his own? There can be just as much meaning in what is not said as in what is said….like when Monica fell off the side of the earth and didn’t obsessively call her daughter the week before Nathan was killed. I seriously don’t think that Detective Graves would have dropped the bomb of Eva’s rape on Victor. If she did, I seriously don’t think that Victor would have taken it well. Victor isn’t his profession, he works at his profession. Think about it for a second, how would you react if one of your colleagues filled you in on what happened to your daughter. Then let your mind wonder why your own daughter wouldn’t say anything or come to you for help, or that the woman you have been carrying a torch for (for all these years allowed this to happen) and then wonder why you were the only person who was never in the loop….then see how helpful you would be towards someone who you don’t even know…is trying to use your kid to further her career (yes she would be solving a crime but that isn’t her only motivation). How’s this for an alternate theory; someone (Detective Graves, Carey, Gideon, Monica, you fill in the blanks…) spills the beans to Victor about what happened to Eva, so being a cop for so many years, Victor knows how the criminal justice system works. He decides that in that moment, he is going to eliminate any threat that can hurt his daughter. He can relax knowing that she is going to be safe with him so he enjoys the rest of the weekend with her. He carefully maps out how he is going covers said crime up and quietly counsels whomever it was that killed Nathan, just what exactly to do. What do you think? What does everyone think?

Hi AMC, I completely agree that Victor could be capable of harming Nathan if he ever found out about what Nathan had done to his daughter? Here’s the question. Do you think that Victor found out about Nathan had done to Eva before he was killed?

Hi LNCronan, I just thought of something. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that if Gideon had his security team check Nathan’s hotel room after Carey was attacked, do you think that would be enough to set Nathan off? Mrsmajessick noted that Nathan was seen walking outside of the Crossfire Building a second time. Could it be that Nathan lost “it†mentally after the ransack? Some people who suffer from some type of delusion also have a sort of paranoia as well. So could Nathan have come back to his room after it had been searched, Nathan realized that things had been moved around or were missing and he snaps…? What do you think? What does everyone think?

    Hi KiMa, We are absolutely over analyzing theories, things, characters, storylines etc. That is what happens when people have to wait for the next installment of a book series that is beloved! :)

Hi LNCronan, I have to wonder to myself what exactly Christopher Jr. would have to say to Magdalene in order to get her into bed. There is something sort of sick and twisted about a woman commiserating with a man about her heartbreak while she screws his brother. Is it just me or does that stink? Why is it that Christopher Jr. became the go-to guy for sex and commiseration about Gideon? Why sleep with him? Did she not realize that Gideon wouldn’t want to sleep with her if she slept with his brother?

Hi LNCronan, Corinne could go any number of ways: • She could be trying desperately to win back Gideon-which is futile and then she will give up. • She could go completely “postal†in the next book, which would make her a mentally unstable woman who finally snapped. • She could lose her conscience and decide to team up with Christopher Jr. (which I don’t see happening at all). • She could go by way of “Fatal Attraction†which means no pets will be safe…sigh!! • Corinne could have a complete and total mental breakdown and wind up in a padded room or in a catatonic state (which actually would be really sad). I think if Corinne met Christopher Jr. it would have been by his design. He would seek out Corinne and try to lure her into working with him (working…scheming…ahem…whatever…). I wonder if Gideon has an honest chat with Corinne in the next book about his feelings toward her and how he led her on. A scenario like that could go in so many different directions. Hmm….?

Hi LNCronan, I have a friend’s daughter who is studying to become a doctor of psychology and although she can work as a T.A. (teacher’s assistant), she cannot legally take on patients or set up a clinical practice. She has completed her Master’s degree and is working on her PhD. Just because you have a degree in psychology doesn’t mean that you can treat patients. In order to see patients in Canada, a person has to take extra courses and diplomas asides from a Master’s or PhD level degree. I find it astounding that the US Educational system would be that different. I also find it borderline horrifying that someone with a lowly Master’s degree can diagnose someone with such a severe mental illness with so little education, no clinical support (or colleague support) or support from the mental health system. If that student was going through school directly (i.e., bachelor’s to PhD) then he wouldn’t be eligible to treat patients. I am telling you something about that scenario stinks!! I should also mention that I have another friend’s daughter who is studying to become a psychiatrist. She has finished her undergrad (i.e. medical school), but she also CANNOT practice medicine yet or treat patients on her own (i.e. She can’t set up a clinical practice and continue her schooling). She is now doing her specialty in Psychiatry and is doing her hospital rotation, but she has to answer to her supervisor, the hospital board and psychiatric team. She is able to see patients under supervised conditions and is insured by the University and the hospital where she does her clinical rotation. Oh June 4th come quickly so we can settle this subject once and for all! :)

    Hi LNCronan, I am beginning wonder whether all of this waiting has turned you into a “red herring†hunter (wink, wink) . I just wanted to clarify from stand point that Nathan was always dangerous. He escalated from cat killer, brutal rapist and torturer, blackmailer and yes potential murderer (I take it from Detective Graves view Nathan was plotting Eva’s demise). I could also imagine that Nathan was busy torturing and killing neighbourhood cats before he escalated to his violent crimes. I would almost bet money on it.

Hi LNCronan, I can only see that scenario if Victor didn’t do any investigating of his own before finding out about Gideon and that wouldn’t make sense to me. Why bother trying to dig up dirt on someone who by all appearances is squeaky clean? Other than being seen with Corinne out at dinner, Victor would have no reason to start investigating Gideon. The only way I could see Victor digging is if he found out about what happened to Eva when she was younger. Yes I could see the argument being made that if Eva was dating Gideon that would be reason enough for Victor to start digging, but I think that Eva’s reactions while the detectives questioned her would have raised huge flags for me and maybe for Victor too. I don’t know whether Detective Graves would actually drop a bomb like (Eva’s past rape etc.) that on Victor. Quite frankly I don’t think that Victor would be too inclined to be “grateful†to the kind detectives for imparting that kind of information to him. If anything I could see that type of scenario backfiring on Detective Graves.

    Hi LNCronan, I will believe it when I see it. I recall being told that a certain book would be coming out around New Year’s Eve and then around Valentine’s Day and now it is June….(wink, wink)… It is good to know that there will be new characters for all of us to dream about, chat about, blog/post about...:)

    Hi MicheleWV, It will be interesting to see if the next book reveals what his “little whispers†were. I know what you mean as far as the English language is concerned. My family also speaks several languages (my Aunt speaks 9, my dad 4) but alas I am the slacker in the family. I only speak three (). All kidding aside, I was thinking about a very familiar old saying “The man is the head of the household, but the woman is the neck and she can turn the head any way she wantsâ€. It seems that this holds true for Gideon and Eva. Do you think that Eva set out on that day to get Gideon to talk or was it just a bonus (a result of all her digging and his chasing)? Mrsmajessick made a good point when she stated that every time things turned desperate between Gideon and Eva and she threatened walk away that was when his honest admissions started to flow. If that is true, then the final day that Eva started searching for answers wouldn’t fit that scenario. They were supposedly no longer together so technically Gideon didn’t owe Eva any explanations. When they were in the car, they still weren’t together either and yet Gideon still started to open up. What do you think? What does everyone think?

    Hi AMC, That is a really good question. I can’t remember Raul’s physical description well. I don’t know if Sylvia went into great detail about how he looked. I would think that in order for that to be possible, Raul would have to be the same height and physical description (hair and eye colour) so that if someone were glancing and not looking too hard, they might mistake him for Gideon. If Raul was wearing a chauffeur’s uniform then I think that theory would fly out the window. :)

Hi Syliva, I just wanted to wish you a belated Happy Birthday. I didn't know where to post this yesterday, so I finally plucked up the courage to start a thread. I hope you had a wonderful day! GiGi

Hi LNCronan, I think that if Sylvia chooses to include the Christopher Jr. character in the next book, it will be really interesting. We have been so busy tossing around mental illness titles that I am beginning to wonder if he might not fit the criteria of either being a sociopath or psychopath. Unfortunately there isn’t enough information to go on, but I can hardly wait. I am glad that Corinne is going to get a reprieve for a while. For a minute there, I thought I was going to have to hire a celebrity to host a telethon to help raise money for poor “Corinne†(wink, wink). I was just wondering something; did Christopher Jr. ever try and make a play for Corinne? He always seems to interject himself into Gideon’s life and I just wonder how long that has been going on? Now that I think about it, I wonder what Corinne's impressions of Christopher Jr. are? How did she get along with Gideon's brother? Here's a bigger question; if Gideon jilts Corinne, do you think that she may team up with Christopher Jr. to seek revenge? Who knows better about how to push this man's buttons than these two. What does everyone think?