"The Search" Book Club Discussion

"The Search" Book Club Discussion - Part One

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Diane,

Would you consider editing the thread title? Maybe adding the name of the book in the title so the threads will be less confusing to follow? Especially when we move to additional books, it'll be easier to differentiate down the road.

Sure would appreciate that.

Really enjoyed the book looking forward to the discussion.

Title thread changed as requested...is this better?

Thanks!

Ashley wrote:

I love the setting where Fiona lives. Wish I could live that life! And Simon...every woman's dream man I think! What do you think? Could he be the killer????

I love the setting too and love that I can really "see" it in my head. Re Simon, ya, I want one of those LOL

If you could pick a movie star for the role of the main characters, who would they be? Fiona? Simon? Slyvia and the vet, Mia? I was thinking Jodie Foster for Fiona but reading further, not sure...I am not big on current movie stars so anxious to see what others think...

Interesting.... haven't thought about that yet....

Do you think there is too much dog training so far? Some critics say yes and its a "how to book" for training your dog? I don't agree. But I am a dog person! What do you think?

Absolutely not too much, it's worked in well and really gives you a feel for how her life is without taking away from the plot.

Don't want to give anything away and since I already finished, its hard to give my true opinions on everything.
Part One kept my attention and interest. I love all the characters and thought Roberts did well describing them and their involvement. I actually felt I was also living on the island with them, getting to know them.

Particularly loved when Fiona took the "trained" dogs to the Vet! Ha ha...haven't we all been there! :lol:

Sorry about the green, not as easy to read as I had hoped but I'm too tired to change it now LOL

Well I admit, it has been amusing to read this book, though I am definitely not its intended demographic. :wink:

The book is a fantasy, i.e. a life and lifestyle which is not grounded in reality, like a tv show with barely working, 20-somethings renting huge loft apartments in Manhattan. But that's ok, most things out of Hollywood are pure fantasy and can still be enjoyable! So of course the reader (who loves dogs etc) would want that life! :wink:

I did not know that volunteer canine search and rescue exists. That's neat.

I also find the "comic" cliche of dogs that are terrified of the vet to be an overdone cliche. I can't imagine dogs that are as well-trained and professional as they're described would be terrified of the vet. I actually brought Mady into the vet this morning, and she was so excited, bum wiggling crazy for everyone there, she loves the vet!

You also don't have to be some granola healthfood nut to love Couscous and lentils. I have some couscous and curried lentils ready for lunch today (courtesy of Kim's mum) YUM.

As for Simon.... I guess I should wait to say more later... once we're in Part 2. :lmt:

Oh, and labs have nothing on Sheepdogs, but I'm sure we all know that already. :wink:

I beg to differ on the vet! My dogs are well, fairly well trained, but at the Vet ( and the groomer I might add ) they fear for their life. And my vet is great. We call him Dr. Doolittle!

I actually looked up Orcas Island and found there are actually people living there year round and from what I read on the net, Roberts described it exactly as it is. A sleepy, little island where the "regulars" all know each other by first name. Really a tourist place first I guess. Actually living there is probably alot different than the fantasy sounding life in the book. But it does sound wonderful!

I might add, I love the character Fiona. I love her strength and sort of "tom-boyness". I also got kick out of her neatness and orderlyness. I tend to be a little like that and got a real kick reading how it drives Simon crazy. My husband could add a few comments about living with a neat freak! It was interesting Roberts pulls those traits and connects it to dog training. never gve that much thought but it makes sense. Training search and rescue must take alot of patience and eye for detail, which also requires being neat, tidy and orderly.

Of course I agree with David...Labs don't hold a candle to sheepdogs!!! :lol:

Quote:

Part One....

I liked the book throughout Part One. Wondering...does the author actually train her dogs in real life or did she research training?I suspect she has trained them and observed, but as prolific a writer probably hardly has time for S&R...would love to be wrong.

I love the setting where Fiona lives. Wish I could live that life! And Simon...every woman's dream man I think! What do you think? Could he be the killer????too early in the book for him to be the killer.

I too am not up on movie people, but your question sounds like something DH ALWAYS asks, "Who should play the parts?" :lol:

Do you think there is too much dog training so far? Some critics say yes and its a "how to book" for training your dog? Of course I don't think there's too much, but then I'm a dog person; however so much emphasis on control probably plays out through the rest of the book. Simon is the antithesis of control.....free spirit....untamed?

Part One kept my attention and interest. I love all the characters and thought Roberts did well describing them and their involvement. I actually felt I was also living on the island with them, getting to know them.I wish there was more about the island, but then I'm more into the physical setting. I'd like to know more about the town people, not just the folks coming across the ferry for their dog training class.....can you imagine?? Good thing this story happens during the "dry" season. I imagine the Orcas can be pretty wet.

Finally I really dislike the name Jaws........would a guy really name a dog that?

I am really enjoying this book so far. I love Fiona and her dogs. :hearts:

Wish mine were that well behaved. :wink:

She is strong and confident, not your typical damsel in distress. I like her stepmother and the vet, and can't wait to experience their spa weekend. God, I could use one of those.

I really don't like Simon at all. :evil:

I think he is selfish and rude, always expecting Fiona to help him when he decides, and only grudgingly does he help her. JMO

I love all of the training with the dogs and look forward to reading more about that. I too agree that sheepies are far superior to even her well trained labs. (I have owned both) :lmt:

Ha ha! I didn't like the name Jaws either.

I'm realizing this may be difficult to fully discuss the book, any book, in parts. Perhaps we should be reading the entire book and then discussing it? Some points that are made now might change once we're done reading???

Has anyone finished the entire book yet?

Ashley wrote:

I'm realizing this may be difficult to fully discuss the book, any book, in parts. Perhaps we should be reading the entire book and then discussing it? Some points that are made now might change once we're done reading???

I don't think discussing the book in parts is a problem. I think it is interesting to see how our feelings change as we go along. :wink:

I do think if some have read ahead it could become hard, because their thoughts and feelings may have changed because of info they have that others do not.

If we want to read a whole book before we discuss it, we may not have as much to discuss, but I'm game.

Oh, and this book was a great choice! I can't wait to read part two. When do we start?

I finished it in a day.....

Yep, I think it might be interesting to discuss as we go along too. And fun to see how things change as we continue to read.

You can start reading Part Two. Read ahead if you want. I did. But try to keep things under wraps if you already know the end!

For those who need to order our next book is "The Art of Racing in the Rain"...beware there are two books by a similiar title. We want to "adult" version, which is "The ART of Racing in the Rain"...

Yeah, I'm finished and it is hard just sticking to part one, but trying.

Laugh at vet visit, I've had a few who would tremble like that. I've mentioned "skidmark" the time MO plopped down at one end of the reception area and would not stand to walk into the exam room. The floor is a nice polished concrete so I dragged her in, her butt never came off the floor. She remembers she lost that round and will reluctantly go into the exam room now instead of suffering such humiliation.

I really am enjoying this book and can see Fiona's home and setting. Of course how can you not love the dogs. Her 3 so well trained and fearless, and then the vet. I was laughing out loud. AND the treats at the vet's are poison! (some of mine thought so ) Jaws is certainly a character. A busy puppy but many are. The fact Simon got Jaws from his Mom, he couldn't refuse. I have very mixed feelings about Simon. I hope he doesn't turn out to be a hand job. I have to acknowledge, she gives some good training tips. I actually tried one on Oliver. It worked!! :banana:

Since we all know Sheepies are brilliant, tonight when I am reading, I will imagine all the dogs are sheepies and they will be wearing little pig tails and bling. :bulb:

Ha ha...little pink tails and bling!!!! I forgot aboutmthetreats being "posion"! Ha ha...I give my dogs the same food. both of them. One, the female, Bella, will eat anything. The other, male, Bowie, was very sick as a pup and took alot of meds which I always tried to hide in cheese..

Now when I feed them, if I even attmept to put anything in Bowie's food that is different, be i some supplement or vitamin or whatever, he knows it..he sniffs and steps back..yes, the poison there! Ha ha...Bella eats anything and everything...doesn't care what is in there, as long as its food! Boy can I relate to Fiona's dogs and the treats being "poison" at the Vets office! :lol:

Ashley wrote:

I actually finished the book so I will try to keep the discussion questions to Part One. Our goal for next week will be to complete Part Two but if everyone goes past , let me know...

Part One....

I liked the book throughout Part One. Wondering...does the author actually train her dogs in real life or did she research training? I like the fact that she uses positive reinforcemnt training. I agree with her methods, do you?

I am enjoying the book and it is a fairly quick read. I wondered about the author and the training too--it is clear that she has done a lot of research. I do like her training methods!

I love the setting where Fiona lives. Wish I could live that life! And Simon...every woman's dream man I think! What do you think? Could he be the killer????

Fiona does have a beautiful life! Simon...hmmmm-haven't made up my mind yet on him. Love all of the dogs--they do make me smile! Jaws is a character for sure.

If you could pick a movie star for the role of the main characters, who would they be? Fiona? Simon? Slyvia and the vet, Mia? I was thinking Jodie Foster for Fiona but reading further, not sure...I am not big on current movie stars so anxious to see what others think...

I will think on this one--I did like your 'Jodi Foster' pick but really not sure yet on her. Simon...maybe 'Benjamen Bratt'--might change my mind on that one too. This will be a good topic to revisit later.

Do you think there is too much dog training so far? Some critics say yes and its a "how to book" for training your dog? I don't agree. But I am a dog person! What do you think?

I definitely don't think there has been too much dog training. I really am enjoying the training!

Don't want to give anything away and since I already finished, its hard to give my true opinions on everything.
Part One kept my attention and interest. I love all the characters and thought Roberts did well describing them and their involvement. I actually felt I was also living on the island with them, getting to know them.

Part one really did set up the rest of the story. I am a little ahead and will probably finish the book this weekend. I think the discussion can go a little deeper after part 1.

Particularly loved when Fiona took the "trained" dogs to the Vet! Ha ha...haven't we all been there! :lol:

Yes--really enjoyed the visit to the vet!

Just in Part One, how do you all like Simon? He's sort of that "love to hate him" type. But sounds sort of hunky at the same time....

I find it interesting that he is described or thought of as controlling. However, I find Fiona to be more of the "in control" type - with all her organizing, meticulous house and simple life in general. But doesn't that personality work well with dog training? Especially search and rescue. Lots of patience and practice - and we all know you must be a little disciplined for all the practicing and repetitions to get things right.

The book definately dragged me in and kept me interested. Looking forward to discussing Part Two. Having read it, there is alot more to discuss...Did we meet Perry in Part One? I forgot! I have lots to say about him for sure!

I am thinking that if we were to choose someone to play Fiona--Angie Harmon would be a good pick.

I am just finishing part 1 . It has been a busy week. I love the visit to the vet. Carley loves the vet. He and my husband went to high school together and he sits on the floor with Carley.
I am not sure about Simon yet. I can understand him naming the puppy Jaws. I eats or chews up everything.

I love all of the dog training throughout the book. I don't think it is too much.

I agree that Fee is very organized and maybe a little too controlling but after being trapped in a trunk and needing to escape in order to live I can certainly understand her need to control her life.

I was fascinated by the search and rescue aspect. I hope there is more of it in the rest of the book.

I like how Simon is creative and I love the way he didn't think the wine cabinet was right for her.

I would so love to do the spa weekend. Can't wait to read how that goes.

Did it bother anyone else when the killer methodically trained someone else to do his killing for him. That was really scary to me.

I can't wait for the next section to see what happens.

I'm surprised that no one mentioned when she gave her dogs rawhide bones to keep them busy.

I'm just into the next section so don't know the ending but I do know that she and Simon will end up together...look who wrote the book.

All together, so far I'm enjoying the book. Even though I'm not looking forward to when the killer catches up to her...and we know he will.

I've been pleasantly surprised by this Nora Roberts book. Haven't read her for many years, and delighted that her depth and intrigue has matured. Thoroughly enjoying this book, thanks for choosing it to kick off our reading club!

So not a fan of the Jaws name either. Poor puppy. But I am finding so many good training tips to use with Charm. That's a huge draw for me. And while Jaws is bright and eager to learn, maybe too easily trained in some paragraphs.

Mixed feelings about Simon. I do want him to be the good guy for Fiona. He's the smoldering white knight. I want him to be the one using Fiona's dogs to find her when the killer snatches her for that last ride. But so many nagging thoughts. He just shows up on a tight knit island, and instantly becomes a favorite? And while Sylvia did see his celebrity picture on the Internet, is he really who he says he is? And conveniently has an unruly puppy to train, from his mother???? And Fiona's male friend (sorry lost his name) distrusts him too. Maybe branching in the wrong direction entirely, but I'm leaning that way.

I'm not current on whom to choose for the movie leads. My favorites, Richard Gere and Clint Eastwood, are too old for these parts lol.

I've just finished our Part One, and barely into the following chapter. Looking forward to a lazy Sunday with the remaining pages.

Yes, I forgot about her giving thd dogs rawhides! Maybe we should contact her and tell her they are dangerous!

What's interesting about the killer training someone else is the way he trained him. Sort of like Fiona training her dogs. Fiona and the killer are a bit alike in that regard...controlling, meticulous, patient..interesting...

I'm also not up on current movie stars and I was thinking Gere or Eastwood too! Ha ha...showing our age :lol:

I find Simon to be a man who is used to his own way, need for perfection.......which is why he's such a good carpenter.

He's very much like an untrained older dog, set in their way, perhaps tried to form a relation with an upright but the upright was too "dense" to catch on, so the dog is now running the pack.

Here come a dog trainer who sees in Simon what she finds in older untrained dog. At one time Simone would have been more like a puppy.......but years have blunted his enthusiasm. He will take a different type of hand to train.

One thing I do find tiresome are the long conversations between them, but then I'm not into talking a problem to death........a woman's trait. But then the author is properly showing the difference between how the two sexes communicate and how often it is frustrating for the opposite side.

Love the 3 dogs and their movie names......trying to think of what I'd name dogs using this same movie criteria........one would also be Bogart........what would be the second :lmt:

Female dogs? :lmt:

Ashley wrote:

Part One....

I liked the book throughout Part One. Wondering...does the author actually train her dogs in real life or did she research training?
There is no mention of Nora Roberts ever owning dogs on her website so I would assume she did some research training.

If you could pick a movie star for the role of the main characters, who would they be? Fiona? Simon? Slyvia and the vet, Mia? I was thinking Jodie Foster for Fiona but reading further, not sure...I am not big on current movie stars so anxious to see what others think...
For Simon, I think Patrick Dempsey. Not too sure about the other characters yet.

Do you think there is too much dog training so far? Some critics say yes and its a "how to book" for training your dog? I don't agree. But I am a dog person! What do you think? :

Love the dog training in this book....adds interest.

Interesting to read that Roberts' second husband is a carpenter.

Ah, Roberts husband is a carpenter! Wonder how she met him???

I found the conversation and even the sexual aspects of the book sort of boring. I'd much rather read more about the dogs and the killer than how Simon and Fiona were making it on the dining room table

gives new meaning to hand buffed finish............

Don't think I would find it too appertizing to eat on that table!

Sorry so slow getting my input in - we were way too busy with our DSRD testing this weekend....and getting ready and then getting home!

I must qualify all comments with the fact that I think I have read every Nora Roberts book published. :roll:

I do love her books.

My initial turn off was in the 1st encounter with Simon and Jaws meeting Fiona. She had them get a gentle leader on him...

No working dog trainer would ever consider using one of them - especially in the SAR field were teamwork is so highly stressed. Huge flaw on her part putting that in her book.
Only casual trainers use them, and target those who want to see immediate results and not invest much time or effort into training their dog. They are used to show people who need instant gratification results, not those really investing time into a solid relationship with their dog. They are not ever considered by a real dog parson who is looking for a partnership - dogs who work on GL's or halti's rarely progress to much of anything unless the owner gets them off them and invest time and effort in their dog.
Certainly not something someone so into teamwork and relationships like Fiona (as a SAR dog trainer and expert in her field) would ever truly use. A big "miss the mark" in my opinion. :twisted:

I also noted the rawhides - another sign of ignorance about dogs and safety.

Also agree with David about the hokiness of the vet office - and especially now in light of the Disaster Dog training process Chewie and I just did. This behavior never would happen in a simple vet trip.
Then add in this vet is a personal friend and also part of their command center in searches - for SURE never would happen!

I enjoyed the suspense and building of the characters through the novel.

I'm not into movies, so I really have no input for actors/actresses.

I liked the carpentry features, the whole PNW and island descriptions. It sounds like a great place.

Dawn, I am interested in what you ahve to day about the gentle lead colar used in the bok. I honestly never noticed this was used...But I wil add...I recently used one of these on my younger females and she was able to get herself out of it!!!!! Luckily I had her hooked to a second collar or she would ahve been gone, gone, gone....

And Dawn, just a thought, The bok is not meant as a training guide book. And we are interested in knowing how everyone feels about how she trained the dogs...But if she screwed up in our "expertise", let's reember it s a serial killer/romance book...Ha ha...We can send her some info on what our real trainers know!!!!

Ashley wrote:

I actually finished the book so I will try to keep the discussion questions to Part One. Our goal for next week will be to complete Part Two but if everyone goes past , let me know.

Finished the book and I really enjoyed it.

I liked the book throughout Part One. Wondering...does the author actually train her dogs in real life or did she research training? I like the fact that she uses positive reinforcemnt training. I agree with her methods, do you?

Love all of the parts with dog training and love all of the dogs. Especially love the puppy antics. But don't really like his name either.

I love the setting where Fiona lives. Wish I could live that life!

Love the setting also. She did a great job of describing it and it was really easy to visualize.

And Simon...every woman's dream man I think! What do you think? Dream man?

I don't think so, maybe in looks he sounds good but I don't like how he treats her initially. I don't like that he told her she's not his type and she's not beautiful. That's not romantic, I guess I'm spoiled . I also don't like that he didn't love the puppy right away. For my dream guy loving the puppy would be a no brainer.

If you could pick a movie star for the role of the main characters, who would they be? Fiona? Simon? Slyvia and the vet, Mia? I was thinking Jodie Foster for Fiona but reading further, not sure...I am not big on current movie stars so anxious to see what others think...

Do you think there is too much dog training so far?

No, I loved the dog training stuff whether it's exactly on point or not I enjoyed it in the book. Artistic license.

Some critics say yes and its a "how to book" for training your dog? I don't agree. But I am a dog person! What do you think?

Don't want to give anything away and since I already finished, its hard to give my true opinions on everything.
Part One kept my attention and interest. I love all the characters and thought Roberts did well describing them and their involvement. I actually felt I was also living on the island with them, getting to know them.

Loved all of the other characters as well. Spa weekend that's credible for sure.

Particularly loved when Fiona took the "trained" dogs to the Vet! Ha ha...haven't we all been there! :lol:

Judging by the photo on the back cover I think the author has the body type and hair color of the heroine. And I bet those are her dogs and she's a dog lover.

Borrowed this photo from the Pictures thread that was recently posted by Jean. The puppy on the right is how I picture "Jaws" to look, so darn cute!.

Ashley wrote:

Oh, I'm well aware it's not a dog training book. That's why I started my whole comment with stating I have read every book she has ever written. :wink:

But when you have expertise in an area, the inconsistencies can't help but jump out at you.

An interesting point may be that I have no real experience besides basic woodworking, so everything she wrote about Simon's career I took at face value!... :lmt:

I bet it's a real issue for authors - adding in a specific theme into a story and not being an expert yourself in that area. If I was an author it would really bug me and I would be compelled to research it to death before I wrote it into a book....so I would be a very broke author, as it would take forever to get books to print!

Dawn, I never thought about that - when you are well versed in something and read things that just don't jive! I find that alot with courtroom dramas. I work in one every day and after 30 plus years I laugh when I see how they depict some courtroom scenes!! :lol:

I also might add, I did find it hard to believe she was able to train Jaws to do certain things in about ten minutes!

Hoping everyone is well on their way into Part 2! I'll make a new topic line for Part 2 by the end of the week...

Just some general questions popped into my head about books and authors in general...Wonder how they come up with the names of their characters? And the locations? Do you think they write it all themselves? Wonder if they know the ending before the write it or do they write as they go along?

Shame on me, I just started the book. Seriously, I've been so crazy busy lately... There's not much that I can tell but that it made me cry when the little boy was found...

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