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Discussion of the written works of Author Cindy Brandner

Welcome to Cindy's Cottage
A discussion board for the written works of Irish-Canadian author
Cindy Brandner

Please post with respect.
Literary critique is acceptable; bashing of authors and board members is not

"I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade." William Butler Yeats

Cindy Brandner's Website S&S Pub S&S Book Discussion Board Shamrocks & Stones
Website Exit Unicorns
on Youtube Dream Date Contest Entries

**Spoiler Warning**
We will have open discussions of Cindy's books,
if you have not read both Exit Unicorns and Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, you will encounter spoilers!!

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Mermaid In a Bowl of Tears, Chapters 44 & 45 -- Mahri (), 06:50:08 08/18/09 Tue [5]
Chapter 44, An Examination of Conscience

'It had been a long time since Pamela had sought the comfort of the church.'

Pamela is still struggling with her guilt over Love Hagerty. She and Lawrence have taken to helping Father Lawrence at a local parish, where she instantly feels at peace while at the same time, unworthy to be there. She, in a round about way, touches on her fears and hopes of heaven, with Fr. Lawrence.
'Perhaps Pamela, Father Jim finally said, it's more a matter of forgiving yourself, rather than needing God's forgiveness. The two things are, many times, one and the same.'

Patrick has been released, Pamela's joy at seeing him is overshadowed when she initially mistakes him for Casey.

We learn that Pamela as taken a job with the RUC, photographing crime scenes. She has used her mother's maiden name to get the job.
She has been receiving anonymous cryptic notes regarding Brian Riordan. The only distinguishing factor in each note being the two interlocking rings at the top of the paper.

Why does she not tell Jamie about the notes? She seems able to tell him anything, complete honesty sometimes between them.

Part Four When the Dark Night Seems Endless
Chapter 45, Letter from Beyond

'There was no chance of getting into the file room until after lunch'

A key has shown up with one of the mysterious puzzle notes, it is to the file room at the police station and Pamela bides her time to use it.
Though she is unsure exactly what she is looking for, it appears that her anonymous correspondent has planted or marked her way. She finds paperwork which implicates that Brian Riordan was murdered.

Last edited by author: Tue August 18, 2009 07:02:58 Edited 1 time.
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Replies:
- I love these two chapters. I re-read them again last night. I find a mystery intriguing and was captivated on my first read learning of how Brian was murdered. I didn't see that coming on my first read though. I agree with Father in that I think Pamela needs to forgive herself and to have Casey forgive her as well. I'm sure it's not the thing to bring up on their prison visits but I do think Pamela needs to get it off her chest and it's eating her up that she has not talked to Casey about it. (NT) -- Tracy, 07:09:06 08/18/09 Tue
  - I love that quote about forgiving yourself. I remember the first time I read it and where I was. Years ago, I had a priest tell me the exact same thing (not for the same situation) and it shocked the crap out of me when he said it but I've held onto that belief ever since. There are a few moments like that in these books, where I think WHOA how the hell did she get in my head *g* (NT) -- Mahri (), 07:32:39 08/18/09 Tue
- I think Pamela didn't tell Jamie about the notes because she knows he would have told her to let well enough alone. He would certainly know what the rings signified and just what kind of men her search would lead her to find. On the other issue, I think we are certainly harder on ourselves than others or the Divine would be on us. (NT) -- Carla, 16:11:08 08/18/09 Tue
  - I agree Carla. I think Jamie would have told her to no to get involved but I suspect that Pamela would not have listened and then Jamie would have to get involved, which is why Pamela didn't want to tell him. We see that all went to hell in a handbasket though :) (NT) -- Tracy, 06:52:57 08/19/09 Wed
Mermaid In a Bowl of Tears, Chapters 42 and 43 -- Mahri (), 06:30:56 08/17/09 Mon [13]
Chapter 42, In the Watches of the Night

'The Beechmount Youth Center had become a strangely calm center to Pamela's universe.'

In Casey's absence, Pamela and Lawrence have kept the Youth Center open. She has also taken odd photography jobs as the opportunity arises.
'Despite unceasing violence and disruption, people still married and had babies, attended weddings and christenings.....'

They sleep at the Center on some nights when the work hours are long and on one such night Pamela is startled awake by a shadowy figure at the end of her bed.
Robin comes to her rescue and the intruder gets away.
Any thoughts on who it might've been?

Pamela learns that Robin and a couple of his lads have been keeping watch over the center - and it's not an IRA job.

In an attempt to calm nerves, they sit down over tea (with a side of brandy). They discuss Joe Doherty and his beef with Casey. The situation with Melissa comes up and Pamela decides she can forgive the transgressions of youth, especially if Casey has, but she is unsure if Robin has honor as a man.
She likes him but she doesn't trust him.

Chapter 43, History Lessons

'By mid-September David Kendall knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he'd taken complete leave of his senses.'

David has continued his visits with Pat. The seemingly random acts of kindness and trust have increased from food/sustenance and sight to freedom of movement and showers.

They have a rather heated discussion regarding their differences - Englishman/Irishman - with David implying that Patrick didn't even know what the fighting was all about.

'Eight hundred years of occupation an' subjection when all we wanted was to be left in peace. We never asked ye for anything, never exploited nor oppressed ye as others did. never invaded ye, never stole your land an' parcelled it out to our own people as war booty, never let yer people starve while food rotted in the harbors. We've never put yer women an' children to the sword, nor massacred or transported yer men to foreign land where they'd no more notion of how to survive than a wee child, where everything was foreign, an' all ye were was another goddamn paddy, a mick, a fockin' bogtrottin' Fenian bastard.'
'Ye took our language, our schools, our priests had to flee or die, ye took our culture, an' even after ye'd stripped us of everything we'd ever been or known, ye mocked us- stupid Paddy, with his backward ways.'
'An' then when we've the temerity to stand up against ye, when we rise from the fire and' say enough, ye call us terrorists. The goddamn Irish, they say, all they know is hate. Well I ask ye, Corporal, who taught it to us, who made sure it was bred deep into the bone an' blood of us?'

I'd like to hear what the counter point would be from the other side. Do they have one? Or is an apology about the only thing you can do in answer to the past? I know there are no easy answers and millions of opinions, we've our own history of stealing land, forcing native peoples out and oppression and prejudice.

Feeling Pat's pain, David crosses a line and touches him.
We have just a few moments earlier had a glimpse (a very steamy glimpse) at Patrick's manly body, and now we witness the savage, brutal way in which he knows how to use it.
Surprised?

They make their peace with talk of dreams and the losses that changed them.

Last edited by author: Mon August 17, 2009 06:46:23 Edited 2 times.
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Replies:
- That b&w photo is gorgeous, Mahri! I think it's a blessing now for Pamela to have Lawrence with her. Remember fearing, on my first read, that maybe the shadowy figure in her room might have been Lucien! Pamela's one smart cookie where Robin's concerned, imo. That little soliloquy that Pat delivered to David really summed it all up well. In one movie we saw about the Troubles, an Englishman said something to the effect, 'Ireland is such a beautiful country. If only it weren't filled with the Irish.' (NT) -- E, 07:29:21 08/17/09 Mon
  - Forgive me if I am way off base. I usually am (grin). But from the start, I didn't get the feeling that the shadowy intruder intended any harm to Pamela, in fact, I felt it was the opposite. Like perhaps he was there to warn her, and Robin just happened to get there in time to prevent him. (NT) -- Tess, 10:31:44 08/17/09 Mon
    - I'm sure you're not off-base at all, Tess. I was only relating my first experience when reading this part. (NT) -- E, 10:37:14 08/17/09 Mon
      - Well, it's my 1st experience -this- time, so I'm only relating my initial impression, is what I mean by maybe being off base. As soon as I read the part about Pamela's awareness that someone was there I just got a 'friendly' vibe. Dunno why...just felt like that guy wasn't there to hurt her. I never felt like Robin was a friend of theirs. The initial introduction to him, when he executed the soldiers in just never left me. And then we saw his shared memories with Casey...but still, I never thought he was anything like Casey, or vice verse. Casey couldn't have killed anyone in cold blood like that, which was why he didn't fit so well as one of Hagerty's men. Robin certainly would (and did, of course). (NT) -- Tess, 11:50:03 08/17/09 Mon
    - I don't think you're off base. I remember wondering who the heck it was and if it was someone really there to hurt her, especially after the figure started to aplogize 'a very mild and polite tone'. (NT) -- Mahri, 12:11:23 08/17/09 Mon
      - Yea, that mild & polite tone made me think at first it might be David. But then Robin showed up & all heck broke loose. (NT) -- Tess, 12:14:34 08/17/09 Mon
        
        I didn't get a violent vibe from the intruder but I didn't get a friendly one either. Like I said below, if he had good intentions, why go into Pamela's bedroom at night while she's sleeping? Then, I started to think oh no, what if he was a polite killer - he acts relaxed and nice so to keep Pamela off guard and then wham! hurts her. Whoever it is, it's got me thinking why does someone want to talk or hurt Pamela? (NT) -- Tracy, 13:18:33 08/17/09 Mon
        
        That more or less describes my feelings as well on that first read. Other than Casey, who would be in that room with good intentions? And Jamie respects their marriage; he didn't strike me as the type to just appear at the foot of her bed. (NT) -- E, 15:42:44 08/17/09 Mon
- Every once in awhile I'll see something I wrote in a different context, someone quotes it at me or like this morning up on this board, and I think 'I wrote that? Really?' Feeling that way this morning about Pat's wee speech. Or maybe I really do just take dictation for these people. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:31:06 08/17/09 Mon
  - You did particularly well on this exchange, Cindy, whether dictation or not! Outstanding! (NT) -- E, 10:38:02 08/17/09 Mon
- I'm really annoyed that I allowed myself to get so far behind in reading Mermaid while on holiday. I've only got about 200 or more pages to read to catch up with you...and now that I'm back to work that won't be too easy to do! Aaarggh! (NT) -- Denise, 09:16:12 08/17/09 Mon
- Not sure who the intruder was but nothing good could come of someone standing at the end of Pamela's bed in the middle of night while she slept. If it was one of the centre's boys I think he could have and would likely have waited till morning to say he needed some food or a place to sleep. That being said, if Robin and his guys were watching the centre, then how did one of the youths get in? I cannot remember so am guessing but could Robin hae planted the kid and then gone in to rescue Pamela to gain her trust and look like the good guy hero? (NT) -- Tracy, 10:44:02 08/17/09 Mon
Chapters 39-41 -- Dreen (), 21:21:16 08/15/09 Sat [9]
39 Music Room
~David Kendall helps Pat in the jail where he has been brutally treated. The act of humanity on the part of David always reminds me that in war there are still individuals, not just 'sides'. How did you feel about it?

40 Nothing Sacred
"Don't you dare say it Sylvie, don't you dare. Our men are coming home if we have to go break them out of whatever hellhole the British have dragged them off to."

"We'll glue together what we can and put the rest in the dustbin. Did the bastards leave any of the cleaning stuff?"

~Can you fathom it, really, this life that people lead in parts of the world that are at war? Can you even imagine the state of your mind and emotions having to live in this kind of terror all the time?

41 Traveller's Prayer
It struck her suddenly that one could die even when needed by husband, by children, by the very weft of the world around them.

~This wee little chapter has always held so much more for me than it would seem at first glance. It speaks of the powerlessness we have in regards to mortality. How did Pamela's moment of clarity, and then fear affect you? Do you allow yourself that kind of honesty to the reality we all face as travellers? And isn't the Celtic prayer for travellers just breathtaking?

Last edited by author: Sun August 16, 2009 10:56:53 Edited 3 times.
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Replies:
- Posting early so I don't fall asleep watching my movie and forget to do it. Nighty-night! (NT) -- Dreen (), 21:23:44 08/15/09 Sat
- Dreen- is the chapter 'The Music Room' not in that copy? That's chapter 39 in the regular book- the one where Pat first meets David. Not wanting to be a nitpick or anything- just thought I'd ask. (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:59:42 08/16/09 Sun
  - Hahaha...good thing you did...it's 38 in this copy...I will go get my proper copy and revise...sorry, love. (NT) -- Dreen, 10:41:01 08/16/09 Sun
- (39) Even in the midst of horror and crisis, there can be love. It never ceases to amaze me. In real life, most of what we hear are the truly despicable things, but every once in awhile we are treated to one of those beautiful moments, and we're reminded that compassion still exists, even in the worst of circumstances. (40) There are simply too many places in this war-torn world of ours where people have grown accustomed to oppression and occupation and violence. The thing that always blows me away is that, in all those unstable cultures, the women stand out as being stronger than the men. Sure, the men fight and kill, but the women are the ones who hold their tattered world together. (41) That prayer is very moving. It covers the three phases of a woman's life, and the three faces of the Goddess. A fitting way to memorialize the poor, dead, unknown woman Jamie and Pamela discovered. (NT) -- Elaine, 14:48:07 08/16/09 Sun
- 39. I liked David and appreciated what he did but I was still nervous. I think I'm always nervous meeting new characters because I don't know their motives or who they really are yet. 40. No, I cannot imagine it. I have been petrified a couple of times in my life and dealt a hard blow once that almost did me in but to live like the Irish did on a daily basis at that time, no I cannot fathom it, cannot really understand what it would feel like to know that at any minute my family and my home could be destroyed forever. I am grateful that I do not this. 41 - I like how Elaine worded her response and I could not say it better. (NT) -- Tracy, 16:43:17 08/16/09 Sun
  - David made me nervous at first too Tracy. I wanted to believe it was kindness with no motivation or for something in return. I'm not a cynical person by nature, in my own daily life but I think if you live in times like these (in the book) it probably becomes 2nd (or 1st) nature to doubt first. (NT) -- Mahri, 06:34:27 08/17/09 Mon
    - I was not 100% convinced of his motives, either, at first. I can only imagine, being in Pat's position, that trust would not come easily! (NT) -- E, 07:20:18 08/17/09 Mon
- 40 - Nope can't fathom it, but we'd probably amaze ourselves did we have to - 'The strength of the human spirit never ceased to surprise her. It was the one thing no enemy had ever been able to flog out of the Irish.' I think we all have it we're just not all tested like this yea? (NT) -- Mahri, 06:38:44 08/17/09 Mon
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears - Chapters 37 and 38 -- Tracy, 09:35:46 08/15/09 Sat [7]
Chapter 37 - Zorba and Company

Strangford Lough

"The Greek threw him a sideways smile, causing his moustache - large, black and oily - to twitch alarmingly."

"Zorba the Greek," Toad snickered, "is this some kind of feckin' joke?".

"You think is funny?" said the Greek, thick brows lowering ominously, "I think not is funny."

1. I knew all hell would break loose after this. I love, love, love when Jamie is in disguise and on an adventure. What did you think about Zorba the Greek?

"...The two of ye saved my life, another minute or two an' I'd have been dead. How the hell did ye know to find me?"

"Casey nodded, drawing the blanket tighter. "Aye, there's been a couple of things that have happened out of the way since I've been home..."

2. Who is out to kill Casey and who is the man with the voice that is posh like Jamie's but not as cultured? Could they be the same man?

"Jamie gone beyond the bounds of exhaustion and sense, laughed without humor. "I've handed him over to the British Army."

Chapter 38 - The Maidstone

I read that Gerry Adams was an internee on the Maidstone.

"The second he kept in his shirt pocket, unable to bear parting with the small bit of familiarity and home her few words provided him."

"The entire deck had stilled, the milling, tense crowd suddenly frozen in place. And Casey know without even looking up, that the cat had come amongst the pigeons."

"Until later then, Mr. Riordan." The Sergeant made me nervous. He couldn't just be a nice guy, could he? I agree with Casey that he had made an enemy he couldn't afford but it wasn't Casey's fault. I was annoyed at Declan and Roland.

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Replies:
- 37.2 I'd like to know that too - is it someone we should know? We are getting ready to meet a man with a similar accent but it couldn't be him! Or could it? Maybe it's a hint about certain men we haven't been told about yet *g* (NT) -- Mahri, 12:03:25 08/15/09 Sat
- 38 - The Sergeant made me angry and scared, men who hold power and misuse it and enjoy while their doing it turn my tummy. I actually giggled over Delcan & Roland. I know it wasn't meant to be funny, but they reminded me of a couple of crochety old women sometimes. (NT) -- Mahri, 12:07:08 08/15/09 Sat
  - No, those two are meant to supply a little comic relief in the midst of all the tension and worry. So they ought to make you laugh at little. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:42:06 08/15/09 Sat
    - Oh yeah, annoyed with a little grin on my face. I could see where their tiff was going to lead and I get worried when Casey lands in trouble. A ship is close quarters too, nevermind being a prisoner on a ship! (NT) -- Tracy, 13:02:34 08/15/09 Sat
      - I didn't see it coming that Casey would be left holding the knife just as the Segeant came up...well I didn't see it coming till the last minute. But I was so proud of those men closing ranks around him the knife mysteriously disappearing! I wanted to stick my tongue out in the Sergeant's face *g* (NT) -- Mahri, 14:24:36 08/15/09 Sat
        
        Yes! That was quite the feat in the short amount of time but I'm glad they had the balls to do it and I think they know what Casey was facing and am glad that they stuck up for him in this way. I think Casey is a natural leader and can command things without actually demanding them - you know what I mean? I think he commands with respect rather than how the Sergeant commands. (NT) -- Tracy, 19:19:02 08/15/09 Sat
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears - Chapter 36 -- Tracy, 10:52:29 08/14/09 Fri [13]
Chapter 36 - The Devil and Mr. Jones

Apparently, the most expensive vodka and filled with precious gems.

Isn't this the prettiest bottle of vodka?

"She asks about ye, always, but I never have an answer for her. I tell her that ye don't come around anymore an' she says she thought ye were wise enough to understand that we were still yer family too."

1. Is Joan Colleen's mother? I cannot remember and thought I better check.

2. Do you think it is hard to keep ties with the in-laws when there is no connection via wife or children anymore?

"Don't tell me ye've forgotten the pearls, Jamie?" ... "then ye'd drink off the vodka an' store the pearls in your mouth."..."he'd take his tongue an'-" Cindy, where is the rest of this intriguing tale? :)

3. From where does Thrawny, Colleen's brother, get his information? Who would kill Thrawny if they found out he was talking to Jamie?

4. I started to feel a real sense of gut-wrenching fear at the end of this chapter. For some reasons Thrawny's words carried such weight and such fright that it scared me not knowing what they were going to face at 8:00pm. How about you?

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Replies:
- I was trying to remember the relationship too - I don't think her mother, maybe an aunt? I was surprised that I didn't remember Colleen's family was Protestant. Did Colleen convert or was the Protestant only on one side and she was raised on the other? (NT) -- Mahri, 11:29:50 08/14/09 Fri
  - Thrawny and Joan are half brother and sister to Colleen and therefore much older. They are related through the second marriages of Thrawny and Joan's father to Colleen's mother. So they were raised Protestant, Colleen was raised Catholic. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:35:26 08/14/09 Fri
    - Wow now there's a story I bet - a Catholic & Protestant trying to make a go of it in N. Ireland. You'd think that others around them would see that as a sign, but I guess not. I too thought it was her mom at first then figured no, traditionally children got their faith from their moms so it must've been a Protestant father and Joan was an Aunt. But I never would have guessed siblings. (NT) -- CindyS, 12:02:21 08/14/09 Fri
      - I wasn't sure if Thrawny was Protestant playing both sides or a Catholic and playing both sides. Whatever he does, it seems to eat him up and so much so that he drinks himself into oblivion or perhaps that is due to something else. Maybe he and Jamie drink to forget when the pain or memories become unbearable? (NT) -- Tracy, 14:05:56 08/14/09 Fri
- 2. I think sometimes it is more difficult than others, depending on how much pain and hurt is involved when you and their daughter/son part ways. (NT) -- Mahri, 11:31:45 08/14/09 Fri
- Yes, what about the rest of the pearl story? *g* I've heard of pearls (other than the jewelry kind), though the description I heard of what they were used for I'm thinking is different from what Jamie & Winnie were participating in, cuz the one I heard just gives me an icky feeling :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 11:36:30 08/14/09 Fri
  - No, these are actual pearls. As to the rest of the story, well that's up to Jamie whether he wants to share or not. I know he's got some erotic stories in his past, but he's not one to kiss and tell very often. So we'll see if he whispers any of it in my ear one of these days, or not. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:38:20 08/14/09 Fri
    - **whisper vibes** **whisper vibes** (NT) -- Tracy, 14:06:35 08/14/09 Fri
- 3. I had no idea before this read Tracy, this time I think I'm getting a handle on what he's mixed up in, before the fog stated clearing though I had thought he was just part of some Loyalist gang type thing. But even that didn't make sense to me given how fond he is of Jamie (even if he hasn't been showing it in this scene), Catholic and all. I was nervous about the 8:00 meeting but I knew Jamie must have a plan, he wasn't just gonna walk in there as himself without any backup, so I was curious how he was going to pull it off - he's so funny when he's in character :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 11:45:37 08/14/09 Fri
- 2) I think it depends on the ppl involved. My DB continued to have fishing trips with his former FIL but I do believe that stopped when DB got remarried. And I know my sister has stated many times how she misses her BIL and what a great father and role-model he was. Heck I even miss him. He was more a part of our/their family than the actual SIL (her DH's sister). But the DSIL asked he not be included in family events with her, so I guess they have to respect her wishes as well. The whole thing is horribly sad. (NT) -- CindyS, 12:13:44 08/14/09 Fri
- I was totally mystified as to how Joan and Thrawny fit into Colleen's life, so thanks for asking, Tracy :) I think how in touch you stay (or don't) depends on how the relationship ended, who's moved on to another relationship, etc. (NT) -- Carla, 14:13:41 08/14/09 Fri
- I figured Thrawny was somehow connected to Protestant militants and that they would certainly kill him if they found out he was talking to Jamie. I figured it was going to be no good thing they found when they went looking for Casey and was worried for all of them. I assumed Cindy wouldn't kill Jamie or Casey, but thought Thrawny's days might be numbered. (NT) -- Carla, 14:15:31 08/14/09 Fri
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears - Chapters 34 and 35 -- Tracy (), 08:14:04 08/13/09 Thu [11]
Chapter 34 - And Justice For None

"I stood in the street, Jamie," her head came up and he saw her eyes were glittery with unshed tears, "and took pictures like I was composing some storybook; I took pictures while they chained my husband like a savage to a truck."

..."and the government, whether it realizes it or not, is finished, they've signed their own death warrant. The road back is closed forever, all we can do now is look ahead and pray."

1. Who do you think outed Casey to Doherty?

Chapter 35 - Pat

"Pure exhaustion took hold of him and bore him down past worry and pain into the dark embrace of Lethe."

Lethe was one of the rivers of Hades in Greek mythology. Those who drank from the river experienced forgetfulness.

"How could he have expected to remain unscathed in Belfast, a Catholic man? As a human being, for that matter?"

1. In this chapter we read about specific acts of violence against Pat and the elderly man. What are your reactions? What saves someone in this kind of situation? What is there to hold on to in order to save one's sanity?

Girdwood Barracks and Jail - is this the right place Cindy?

Last edited by author: Thu August 13, 2009 08:15:38 Edited 1 time.
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Replies:
- I was coming to suspect Robin was up to tricks as far as Casey was concerned. I seem to be writing this a lot, but I cannot imagine standing in the street and watching my husband being taken away like this knowing the men who were taking him followed no rules or laws known to decent society. (NT) -- Carla, 10:38:29 08/13/09 Thu
  - It's maddening that Casey and Pat were arrested for just about every crime under the sun that they didn't actually commit, but the men arresting them didn't follow the law and committed real crimes and injustices. Argh!!! The title of the chapter is absolutely fitting. (NT) -- Tracy (), 11:48:23 08/13/09 Thu
- I was appalled and horrified reading about how that poor little old man was being treated. I also know, though, that most of us are closer to being capable of that type of behaviour than we'd like to think. What saves a person in this situation is the ability, IMHO, to turn inward and find some deep, hidden corner of your soul within which to live away from the reach of ones torturers. Much easier said than done. (NT) -- Carla, 10:43:43 08/13/09 Thu
- Yes, Tracy that's the right place. It is across the street from the courthouse. Mick took us there and was saying that there's a tunnel that runs under the street. So they would try, convict and jail them often in a matter of about twenty minutes. They were quite justly called 'kangaroo courts' by Republicans. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:15:38 08/13/09 Thu
  - Is is still operating as a jail? I have the Kilmainham Jail on my list of places to see when I get there. I think I spelled the jail's name incorrectly. I have never seen a jail before. (NT) -- Tracy, 18:55:30 08/13/09 Thu
    - Kilmainham is on the Dublin City Tour, so it's easy enough to get there. We may see this one in Belfast as it's on a main strip. They truly did not care whether these men were guilty or innocent as newborn lambs, they were Catholic and Republican or sometimes just Catholic- that was enough as far as the powers that be were concerned. (NT) -- celtgirl, 19:07:14 08/13/09 Thu
  - 20 minutes??? A man's life decided in 20 minutes - they certainly were not too concerned about justice. They were dealing with human beings who had real lives and families and friends. Gosh, it's disheartening to think about but I appreciate knowing. (NT) -- Tracy, 18:58:16 08/13/09 Thu
- Hi everyone! I just popped over (well i've been lurking for a while) to say these two chapters were just wild. I can't imagine just standing there taking pictures of my husband being arrested and treated like some sort of "less than". And the whole thing with Pat and the old man...gawd! I am so tired at night I haven't been keeping up, but I'll tell you these chapters don't go away. The injustice burns into your memory. (NT) -- Lil, 19:20:55 08/13/09 Thu
- 34) I don't know if I could have kept a level head like Pamela and did as her husband asked and photographed the whole thing. As for selling Casey out well...I didn't think Robin knew where he was going to hide out but someone was definitely following him or there were "plants" in various areas to alert whomever. I thought it was the British army that arrested him but Joe who paid them off to have him removed from the others and ahem..disposed of. 35) seeing as this was Pat's first enterment I thought he handled it rather well. And that poor old man oh how I flinched and ached for him..unimaginable how another human being could act that way. (NT) -- CindyS, 23:28:22 08/13/09 Thu
- These chapters are, as Nalana said, burned on my brain. Horror, the kind of stories you just don't *want* to believe but know in your heart are true. It's a sad statement that such forms of 'swift justice' and mistreatment still exist in parts of our world. Sorry I've been MIA. A bit too much going on this week; it should be better next week. (NT) -- E, 05:08:44 08/14/09 Fri
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears - Chapters 32 and 33 -- Tracy, 06:47:02 08/12/09 Wed [9]
I couldn't find the same pocket watch as Lawrence's, but I did think this celtic one was handsome.

Chapter 32 - Tears of Saint Lawrence

"Casey's birthday dawned in a breathless heat." I thought I would throw in Casey...breathless...heat....birthday sex since it is Wednesday :)

"Twilight soul, I like that - it suits ye".

1. What did you think about Lawrence's birthday gift to Casey and then Casey's reaction to it?

2. Why was it important for Pamela to reveal to Lawrence that she had been raped?

"I love ye boyo, an' don't think that doesn't surprise me, but still there it is, I do."

Chapter 33 - With Extreme Prejudice

"The small seismic tremors of impending trouble weren't as noticeable out in the countryside, but they were felt all the same." Uh-oh, what's going to happen?

"We don't have to explain anything to you, you Fenian bastard, we're entitled under the Special Powers Act," said the soldier."

1. What is the significance of the "simple, black-inked 'J'"?

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Replies:
- That is a beautiful pocket watch! First time I read this chapter I remember feeling that even though Casey's instincts may have been right, I felt he overreacted. As it turned out, both he and I were wrong all along. (NT) -- Elaine, 07:51:29 08/12/09 Wed
- That watch is gorgeous! (NT) -- celtgirl, 07:55:46 08/12/09 Wed
- Chapter 32: Given Lawrence's history I think it's not a far stretch for Casey to make the assumption he did. And I think we all overreact more often that we'd like to admit, especially on such emotionally fraught issues. If Casey hadn't recently caught Lawrence with somebody else's wallet full of cash, he may have been less hasty and more calm. Pamela's telling Lawrence about her rape shows him that not only can Casey love somebody who's not "pure", but that it's possible to build a good life for one's self after such horrific experiences. Love the watch, btw, Tracy. (NT) -- Carla, 09:26:21 08/12/09 Wed
  - I started crying softly when Lawrence thought that Pamela was going to tell him to leave and that she and Casey did not want him living with them anymore. Bless his heart. I think her answer about Lawrence being family and that Casey loves him no matter what meant the world to Lawrence. It's a shame and so heart-breaking that children have to grow up not knowing they are loved unconditionally and that the love is given with sincerity and pure intentions. (NT) -- Tracy, 10:17:05 08/12/09 Wed
- This chapter made my blood run cold. I cannot imagine having to live with such constant fear and uncertainty. I took the "J" to be a message that Jamie knows where Pat is and is working to get him out. (NT) -- Carla, 09:27:55 08/12/09 Wed
  - Yes, the preparing to run and hide made me angry but even more so when they grabbed Casey out of bed and handcuffed him with no regard for his family especially pregnant wife! For Casey to be calm on the outside took guts and I'm not sure I could do that. (NT) -- Tracy, 10:19:09 08/12/09 Wed
- 'With Extreme Predjudice' - this chapter makes me so angry!! It puts me in mind of how the Nazi's just 'lifted' people from their homes for being of the wrong race. I realize there's a wee bit more involved in this 'lifting' than just religious persuasion, but outrageous just the same. I found each paragraph that started with 'Click' very chilling. I'm glad Pamela had her wee camera and had the presence of mind to use it. (NT) -- Mahri, 19:37:17 08/12/09 Wed
  - Oh and I meant to say that the Celtic Pocket Watch above is just beautiful - I wish I (or Glenn) used one, I'd love one like this :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 19:38:42 08/12/09 Wed
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears - Chapters 30 and 31 -- Tracy (), 19:41:10 08/10/09 Mon [16]
Chapter 30 – A Little Irish Homestead

“It’s the home I’ve been waiting for all my life,” she replied softly, and knew that it was true.

“I put yer books in the bedroom, near to killed my back with that last lot.” I loved this line when Casey spoke it. It made me recall moving in with DBF and boys and them helping me to carry my many boxes of books.

I enjoy reading about this time of calm, getting settled in their new home and beginning a family. I know things are boiling under the surface but I like when characters are doing things like this. I think maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned. What do you think...about the characters and their lives over the past couple of chapters? ;)

Chapter 31 - …And Everywhere that Mary Went

"It had to be done right, this first fire in their home. It was both the center and the welcome of the place -where the young were brought to cradle and the old to warm their aching bones." Is/was this true in your family?

"Aye, she could feel the smile stretch further, "everything" I feel like Casey. I'm sorry I'm a bit mushy tonight, but I just appreciate and love the idea of a home and family.

Please feel free to add whatever you would like.....

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Replies:
- The first fire seems very sweet and romantic to me. We don't have rituals like that in our family; sometimes I think it would be nice. It's certainly true in my house - I go to the fireplace to warm my aching bones! (NT) -- Elaine, 11:47:15 08/11/09 Tue
- I love seeing them getting settled into their new house and beginning to turn it into a home. Partly, I think, because I know they've had such heartache and have more to come. It's the chaos and trouble that make us appreciate the quiet and calm. I also loved the ritual of lighting the fire and saying the blessing. We don't really have any specific rituals such as this one, but I think collectively our lives are poorer for the loss of these types of personal ceremonies. (NT) -- Carla, 13:08:56 08/11/09 Tue
  - I agree with you, we have lost something as our culture has progressed. I think it would be better if, despite all our modern conveniences like furnaces and a/c, that we still followed the rhythm of the seasons, and that we purchased food grown locally (so, no peaches or tomatoes in November - 'tis okay, others survived before us without those!). I am trying to become a locavore, haven't quite managed it entirely but it's a fun process. And I do try to follow the rhythms that come with the tilting of the earth. I love the change of seasons; we should celebrate those changes by adding those little rituals that have an ageless significance. Hope I don't sound too sentimental for you. (NT) -- Elaine (), 14:00:53 08/11/09 Tue
    - I think we'd all be much more healthy mentally and emotionally if we moved more with the rhythm of the planet and its seasons. I do try to pay attention and have small rituals to attend the changing of the seasons, it really helps to make one feel that time isn't just this non-stop flow over one's head too. (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:26:38 08/11/09 Tue
- I love sitting by a fire. It feels cozy and homey to me and to be gathered around with family is wonderful too. I suppose it happens in the winter time and in the summer we gather in the kitchen or outside on the deck. (NT) -- Tracy, 18:31:48 08/11/09 Tue
  - I wish I had an open hearth in my kitchen, I would love that. One of the things I most look forward to on the Shindig is sitting around a fire one evening, talking with drinks in hand. Maybe I'll even bring something along to read to you all, if anyone would like that. :) (NT) -- celtgirl (), 18:38:36 08/11/09 Tue
  - I love sitting by the fire too or on the deck in the summer. I wish we still had a 'real' fireplace instead of this crappy gas model. It's convenient, flip an on switch but I miss the crackling sound and the smell. I've been MIA a wee bit today trying to pull my own chapters together - can you just imagine what kind of images google hits on when you type in 'torture' hahahaha (NT) -- Mahri, 18:46:21 08/11/09 Tue
    - eekk..my laughing there sounds/looks terrible & callous - to explain, I had the safe search off but I wasn't expecting X rated bondage pictures *g* (NT) -- Mahri, 18:53:48 08/11/09 Tue
      - I have typed in the most innocuous terms at times, and got porn results. I think it's hard to not have it crop up in many searches. (NT) -- celtgirl, 20:37:10 08/11/09 Tue
      - It would either be that or a big picture of Dick Cheney. (No disrespect meant to anyone with GOP-leanings.) (NT) -- Elaine, 21:41:07 08/11/09 Tue
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears - Chapters 28 and 29 -- Tracy (), 07:13:08 08/10/09 Mon [26]

Chapter 28 - Lucky You, Lucky Me

1. “As long as ye love me, the rest will sort itself out.”

2. “It’s what he knows, aye, an’ humans are likely to do what they know an’ understand even if it’s threatenin’ their life.”

3. “Then ask him, “ she said. “He needs to hear it from you to know that we really mean it.”

What are your feelings about this chapter?

Chapter 29 - Paddy’s Lament

1. Can Casey be a minor or fringe member of the IRA or is it his destiny and is he the best man for it as Robin says?

“Don’t take the mickey on me” I had never heard this phrase before so I had to google it.

“Too long a sacrifice, can make a stone of the heart.”

GPO in 1916

GPO today

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Replies:
- I was happy that Casey & Pamela wanted to include Lawrence in their move, as part of their family. I still wasn't sure if the poor lad could completely accept them or their love yet though, considering his life, but I hoped so. Casey and Pamela would make wonderful parents to a teenager. (NT) -- Mahri, 13:35:14 08/10/09 Mon
- I sure hoped that Casey could play a minor role versus being a full-fledged member. I don't know though, he himself says it feels like it's something genetic yea? I'm a little confused - can someone explain or remind me cuz we probably talked about this before....why should the party and army be publicly separate? (NT) -- Mahri, 13:38:19 08/10/09 Mon
  - Because Sinn Fein knew they would never be accepted as a legitimate political entity as long as they were viewed as the political wing of the IRA. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:51:29 08/10/09 Mon
    - Ahh ok - because Casey was the one to say it (to Robin as part of what the IRA needed to do), I was confused. (NT) -- Mahri, 14:00:31 08/10/09 Mon
    - Woo boy, I remember when Clinton met with Sinn Fein. What a ruckus he created back then! (NT) -- E, 16:04:02 08/10/09 Mon
      - I believe he was the first President to allow Gerry Adams into the US. Both Adams and Tony Blair credited Clinton with the survival of the peace accord, he wouldn't let either side walk away until they came to an agreement and this went on over years of back and forth negotiation and stalemating. (NT) -- celtgirl, 16:17:06 08/10/09 Mon
        
        I was just reading something about this - sure pissed off the British government when he granted THAT Visa didn't it? (NT) -- Mahri, 16:57:33 08/10/09 Mon
        
        Oops, I'm sorry, Mahri, we must have posted at the same time. (NT) -- Elaine, 17:01:47 08/10/09 Mon
        
        Yes, first prez to officially recognize Gerry Adams, and grant him a visa to enter the US. A very big deal, and one that was met with great criticism. (Success has a way of quashing the critics.) (NT) -- Elaine, 16:57:45 08/10/09 Mon
- I'm wondering if Carla or Tracy recognized the title for Chapter 28? (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:40:08 08/10/09 Mon
- I'm probably the only one who worried that Pamela was too young to be 'saddled' with raising a troubled teen under her roof. Casey, yeah, he was well-suited for the job. But Pamela was only separated from her teens by a few short years. There are few things that can wreak havoc on a marriage like the tricks of a wayward teen, and Pamela and Casey weren't exactly on firm ground yet, marriage-wise. But then, thankfully, it seemed to work despite my concerns. At least to a point, but I don't want to get into spoilers. (NT) -- E, 15:48:31 08/10/09 Mon
  - I've just never seen Pamela as that young, I mean I know she is but she's always come across, to me, as older or something, probably because of her life experiences and being on her own at such a young age. (NT) -- Mahri, 17:01:33 08/10/09 Mon
    - (Oops, posted twice for some reason.) (NT) -- Elaine (), 17:06:21 08/10/09 Mon
    - She does seem older than her years, I agree. She always did seem older. But I still don't think it's good to take in a teenager until you really know and understand teenagers in general, and troubled teenagers in particular. It is sure a whole 'nuther world. That's just a personal thing from one who has taken in older foster children, including one named Lawrence (Little Larry in our house). Now I'm straying too far from the conversation! This part of the storyline hits particularly close to home with me, so I probably shouldn't speak to it, sorry. (NT) -- Elaine, 17:07:35 08/10/09 Mon
      - I don't know if this is applicable to the situation between Casey & Pamela, but from personal observation, I have noticed that people in marriages that have (cough) issues, they sometimes bring third parties into the situation (friends with troubles that move in with them, for example)....and it seems like it is often a buffer for their own problems. I've seen this happen often. I wondered if Lawrence might have been...intentional or not....a buffer for them. They were able to focus on helping him, rather than on the as yet uncovered strains within their marriage. (NT) -- Tess, 18:48:50 08/10/09 Mon
        
        That's an interesting thought, Tess. (NT) -- Elaine, 22:40:01 08/10/09 Mon
      - Oh don't apologize E - of course you should speak to it, especially if you have experience (unless you mean you shouldn't speak because it brings back bad memories). I sometiemes (alot actually) have a hard time, especially if I've read the whole book, speaking to just the moment in question w/o infusing what I know happens in the future. Does that make sense? Sometimes I do remember exactly what I felt or thought when I first read something, before knowing how it all turns out..but mostly I'm answering in hindsight and forget to stay in the moment :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 05:25:34 08/11/09 Tue
- I don't know that I would have whatever it is that's required to take a troubled teen into my home, although I hope that if faced with somebody like Lawrence who truly had no options I would step up to the plate. It's surely a test of many things, though, as all children are. On the other topic, I don't think Casey can be a minor member of anything. Even if he wanted to stay in the background or have a small role, the men about him would not let it happen, they would naturally turn to him. He's also not the type to stand by and watch others make predictable mistakes or treat people badly. I think, for Casey, either he's in or he's out, there's nothing in between. (NT) -- Carla, 17:49:36 08/10/09 Mon
- 28) I don't see Casey & Pamela as parents to Flip but rather as older siblings, which Casey has a bit of experience with. 29) What's the saying the mind is willing but the body is weak...I think Casey really wants to walk away from the IRA, afterall it's much safer for his family, but so much of who he is stems from being a part of them that I often wonder if laboring and watching after ruffians will be enough. (NT) -- CindyS, 18:12:31 08/10/09 Mon
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears - Chapter 26 -- Tracy (), 10:57:56 08/09/09 Sun [5]
Chapter 26 - The Boy

Some Irish boys from Divis Flats in the 70's.

Thank you Elaine for a wonderful discussion and photos to match!

I thought I would post some questions, some photos and some quotes over the next week. Please feel free to add anything else that you would like to.

1. Casey thought that "Flip" was his opportunity to square himself with the uiniverse. What do you think? What did you think of Flip AKA Lawrence upon first meeting him?

"Na, the boy said, "readin' is a waste of time. It's all pretend isn't it, words? Don't mean much on the streets." Pg. 235

"Yer safe from him here, I'll not let anything happen to ye," Casey said gently. Pg. 241

Chapter 27 - When the Evening Falls

1. A new and intriguing story has been revealed - the disappearance of Robin's younger sister Jo when she was twelve years old. Do you have any comments as to where this will lead or the importance of it to Robin and Casey?

"She was three years younger, no more than a scrap of bones an' skin, with a mop of haid like her brother an' a pinched little face that had never known much more than unremittin' misery." Pg. 249

"So even now he doesn't know what happened to his sister?" Page 250

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Replies:
- I didn't know what to think when Lawrence first presented himself, aside from a wee bit of mistrust that here was someone who was either going to rob Casey and Pamela, or was put there to "spy" on them by Joe Doherty. I think when we feel out of balance in ourselves, we are looking for the opportunity to redress that imbalance in some way and so we seize upon circumstances or people who come into our lives unexpectedly as a way of regaining our equilibrium. (NT) -- Carla, 15:49:12 08/09/09 Sun
- When we are first told of wee Jo's disappearance, and the brutal home life she and Robin shared, I simply thought it was by way of offering some insight into how he'd become the man he is today. I did feel sorry for the two of them, knowing nothing but pain and misery all their lives. (NT) -- Carla, 15:50:44 08/09/09 Sun
  - I remember being confused about how I felt about Robin at this point. Before this, I thought I had the guy all figured out, and then this, which only muddied up my thoughts. (NT) -- Elaine, 17:11:03 08/09/09 Sun
    - That's it exactly. Just as there is some bad in every good person, there is generally a kernel of good in every bad person. I don't think Robin's upbringing excuses his actions as an adult, but it certainly goes a way towards explaining how he became the man we first met in "Scotsman's Lament." (NT) -- Carla, 05:45:28 08/10/09 Mon
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 23, The Travellers -- Elaine, 21:13:40 08/07/09 Fri [10]

Jamie has asked Pamela to take photos, which will be used in a booklet, for a housing project that Pat is developing, and she agrees after consulting Casey.

Pat is working closely with Jamie, and he and Sylvie are frequent guests at Kirkpatrick's Folly.

The housing development is meant for both Catholics and Protestants, which poses problems even beyond what you might expect.

For his first case study, Pat takes Pamela to the caravan home of travellers Victor and Emily, who are expecting a child any day.

Patrick and Pamela happen upon a tragedy inside the caravan. The constable turns out to be someone Patrick recognizes.

* * *

Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 24, Nine Tenths of the Law

On a snowy night, Casey returns from the Pub fully inebriated and lusty. As he attempts to undo Pamela's buttons with his teeth, the security guard, Harvey, meets up with them.

Pamela learns that Casey had just been meeting with Joe Doherty and Robin. And that he'd gotten a tattoo on a dare.

They almost reach the point of argument, but settle things quickly by making love. He whispers in her ear, a liomsa. Mine.

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Replies:
- I didn't think Casey could be any hotter to me, but dang if that tattoo didn't make it so :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 07:24:17 08/08/09 Sat
- 23) Heart wrenching scene for all parties. But I couldn't help think of Pamela having to see all this and wonder about your own daughter and how her heart must still ache for loss and what might have been. 24) This is one of my favorite scenes. And I love the line about not being drunk if you can still hold a blade of grass :). I'm not into tattoo's but I'll admit this one on this fella fits. In fact I kind of wonder why he didn't already have one. I'm still not exactly sure what Joe's "test" was and how it was resolved. (NT) -- CindyS, 08:40:51 08/08/09 Sat
- Haha- I just noticed the snow angel, perfect picture, E. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:54:54 08/08/09 Sat
- The chapter with the travellers just broke my heart. How terrifying must that whole experience been for Emily and Viktor? And poor Pamela and Patrick, I don't any amount of horror or tragedy could prepare you for a scene such as that one. I love the lighter chapter to follow, with Casey drunkenly making snow angels and molesting his wife ;) I do think these are big issues, though, that will have to be worked out between them rather than settled without really being settled because they're distracted by making love. Don't get me wrong, sometimes making love is just the healing a couple needs, but there are some issues that need to be addressed and aired or they'll just fester into something bigger and possibly deadly to the relationship. And yes, the thought of Casey whispering "mine" in Irish into my ear is enough to make me weak in the knees. (NT) -- Carla, 12:14:48 08/08/09 Sat
- I liked that Pat and Sylvie had a weekly dinner with Jamie. I just feel that Jamie is lonely and I like knowing that he has become close friends with Pat and Sylvie. I felt devastated about the caravan scene and Victor waiting outside but then the next chapter had me giggling about Casey in the snow. I like the balance that Cindy writes with or perhaps it's organization of the chapters and events. (NT) -- Tracy, 19:36:44 08/08/09 Sat
  - I was thinking about that balance, as well, Tracy. It keeps things from becoming too heavy and shows, IMHO, that even in the midst of difficult times people still can find joy in the simple things in life. (NT) -- Carla, 21:15:53 08/08/09 Sat
    - The balance is very deliberate as I sort the chapters and keep a tenuous timeline in my head. I don't want anyone to get reading fatigue from one huge event after another or too much tension, etc. So alot of thought goes into that, mostly subconscious when I'm writing, but very conscious as I take the first draft apart and look at it with a more technical eye. (NT) -- celtgirl, 16:04:43 08/09/09 Sun
      - The writing process never fails to amaze me or your gift of keeping things straight in your head - what a terrific memory. (NT) -- Tracy, 16:11:19 08/09/09 Sun
        
        I think because the story almost seems to come from somewhere else, and I merely write it down on the characters' behalf, it's easy for me to keep things straight. Not that there isn't alot of hair pulling and frowning and 'what the hell was I trying to say here?' going on as I go over that first fully printed copy. (NT) -- celtgirl, 16:32:11 08/09/09 Sun
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 22, The Boys of Summer -- Elaine, 20:40:38 08/06/09 Thu [10]

Pamela opens a package from Lucas North, containing many of the images she took while in Boston, including a publicity shot of Love Hagerty.

Casey and Pamela have a long, frank discussion about his influence on the opposite sex.

The conversation turns to Casey's youth, and his time spent with Robin, which included music and women and the IRA. And the story of Melissa. Do you think she has something to do with Robin's comment about an unpaid debt?

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Replies:
- Well, my answer below to Mahri's comment on Robin and his debt tells you my thoughts on this one, but I can't remember if all is revealed in this chapter or not. I do love "listening" to Casey's story though and imagining him as a young man with nothing more serious on his mind than beer, women and song :) (NT) -- Carla, 20:46:28 08/06/09 Thu
- Is this not also the same package of photos in which there was a very candid shot of Casey relaxing with a cup of tea? I got a pretty vivid image burned in my head of that photo (and sorry, but it looks nothing like wee Colin Farrell folks....). Casey was shocked over the photo, but also surprised to discover how Pamela sees him. (NT) -- Tess, 06:53:29 08/07/09 Fri
- Can I go on record again as saying that this photo really grabs me? It's supposed to represent Pamela's skin, as defined by Casey at the end of the chapter. I just love the raindrops - in the sunlight! - and those two little pink buds in the background. Again, borrowed from the internets, as Al Gore once referred to the web. (NT) -- Elaine, 10:20:41 08/07/09 Fri
- I'm thinking the debt is more about Casey disowning him and taking away the only real family that he has rather than about Melissa. He even says he thought Casey didn't love her. But Casey did love him as a brother and I think it would be hard to forgive or forget that someone just walked away from that bond b/c of something you did on an impulse or worse b/c or some outsider they only had a passing fancy with. (NT) -- CindyS, 08:53:11 08/08/09 Sat
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 19, Home Again, Home Again -- Elaine, 20:05:16 08/05/09 Wed [12]

Casey and Pamela are back in Belfast, lodged in the 2nd floor of the dilapidated West Belfast Youth Center. The apartment is uncomfortably tiny. The kitchen window affords a good view of Jamie's home.

Pamela has put off visiting Jamie, but Casey tells her it's time to do so.

Pamela considers the realities of being back in Balfast, and what role Casey might someday play in the IRA, just as his father and grandfather had done.

* * *

Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 20, Kirkpatrick's Folly

Pamela arrives at Jamie's home only to learn that he is not in. Maggie and she sit down to tea, scones and a nice long talk. When Maggie must leave, Pamela finds herself alone in Jamie's opulent study, where she soon drifts off to sleep.

Jamie comes home and finds Pamela, sound asleep in his study. He knows that she's running from something. When he gently awakens her, they share tea and conversation, mostly about Casey.

Casey's return to Belfast will prove to be a complication for Joe Doherty, according to Jamie. Doherty took over after Casey left for Boston.

It is painfully apparent to Jamie that Pamela is hiding something from him. What had happened in Boston to make Belfast desirable?

* * *

Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 21, Deuces Wild

As Casey walks through Belfast, he notices the changes that took place during his two years in Boston. Observation towers, RUC stations under heavy netting and wire. Belfast looked like a war zone.

Casey encounters a shouting young man being pulled into a vehicle. Casey pulls him free, but the young man is none too thankful of Casey's heroics.

Needing a drink, Casey walks into a shabby pub inhabited by only a few men, one of whom has penetrating blue eyes. As Casey joins in on the poker game, the man introduces himself as Robin Temple.

We soon learn that Robin is Casey's old chum. The two catch up with each other's lives. From appearances, it would seem that they are still the best of friends. After Casey leaves, however, Robin seems to be singing a different song about his relationship with Casey.

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Replies:
- As much danger as they are in in Belfast, I will admit to being much happier with Casey and Pamela on that side of the pond. I went way long, so the rest is inside >>> -- Carla, 05:57:42 08/06/09 Thu
- I will tell you that writing that chapter 'Kirkpatrick's Folly' was a nice haven in the midst of all the goings on in this book. I think I relaxed and felt safe during the writing of it, much as Pamela did in the actual setting. (NT) -- celtgirl, 10:32:07 08/06/09 Thu
  - It's a beautiful, peaceful chapter, Cindy. I just feel badly for Jamie, knowing what he feels for Pamela, and the fact that he detects she's hiding something very important. (NT) -- Elaine, 13:17:03 08/06/09 Thu
- 'Kirkpatrick's Folley' was a very peaceful, comforting chapter. Though I've never been able to get a good picture in my mind of Jamie's study, the words in the descriptions always make me feel warm and invited. Why do you think Jamie doesn't speak or return the 'I missed you' that Pamela offers? And I'm not sure if we covered this in the last discussion, but what do you make of the last line of 'Deuces Wild' 'A debt is still unpaid, even if forgotten.' Is it Casey who owes the debt or Robin? I sure didn't want to like Robin, not after our first meeting with him, but knowing that he and Casey were close...well..I just couldn't help wanting to see what was good in him, there had to be something to be like a brother to Casey, even though obvioulsy much has changed and transpired between them. (NT) -- Mahri, 15:00:27 08/06/09 Thu
  - I took it to mean Casey owes Robin, at least in Robin's mind. It's almost as if there are several Robin's -- the cold-blooded killer we met in "The Scotsman's Lament", the jovial but volatile man Casey plays cards with and the damaged, angry yet basically good-hearted young man he was friend's with growing up. (NT) -- Carla, 16:14:22 08/06/09 Thu
    - That's what I thought at first too Carla, then I'm thinking of their history and trying to figure out/understand what Casey owes him for? I haven't re-read that far yet, so I'm just going on memory..which admittedly sucks lately, but I definitely remember an instance where Robin might feel guilty about his actions towards or involving Casey. (NT) -- Mahri, 16:30:48 08/06/09 Thu
      - I'll take it inside to avoid spoilers for anybody who hasn't gotten this far yet >>> -- Carla, 19:43:07 08/06/09 Thu
        
        Ahhh see >>>>>> -- Mahri, 20:12:32 08/06/09 Thu
        
        There are no silly questions, my dear. (NT) -- Carla, 20:44:44 08/06/09 Thu
- I felt much calm when reading Kirkpatrick's Folly. I always got the feeling that Pamela needed that study, her favourite room, and that it gave her some peace that she couldn't find anywhere else. Robin, even though a friend of Casey's, made me nervous at the end of the chapter and I started feeling like something was up and it wouldn't be good. (NT) -- Tracy, 17:51:38 08/06/09 Thu
- 19) It's hard not to worry for Casey wherever he is, but I think the fact that he's on home turff really plays in his favor. 20)Lovely chpt Cindy. It was nice to have a cozy respit b/w so much turmoil. How is it Jamie knows Pamela so well and yet her own husband doesn't seem to realize she's keeping something? 21)Yikes - all I can say is watch your back Casey! A snake is a snake no matter how it tries to disguise itself. (NT) -- CindyS (), 18:30:14 08/06/09 Thu
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 17, Into the Mystic -- Elaine, 21:23:12 08/04/09 Tue [18]

(A winter view of the Mystic River)

Pamela finds Fr. Kevin in the otherwise empty Church of the Assumption.

Fr. Kevin tells Pamela that Emma was dead of a massive drug overdose. Her body was found in the Mystic River.

Pamela now knows beyond a doubt what she must do, and Fr. Kevin quickly figures out her intentions.

The two debate issues of theology and love.

Fr. Kevin tries to dissuade Pamela from putting an end to Love Hagerty's life, and yet inexplicably reveals where she can find Guilio Bassarelli this particular evening.

Pamela does what she knows is necessary in order to save Casey's life.

* * *

Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Part Two, A Little Irish Homestead
Ch. 18, Scotsman's Lament

We walk through the doors of The Cracked Pot pub in Belfast, one of the few places where an English soldiers can safely drink in Northern Ireland. There we meet three such soldiers - Sandy, Neil and Donny, all originally from Scotland.

A spilled drink causes a ruckus, which turns into an all-out brawl. All three soldiers are entangled in it, until a blue-eyed stranger persuades them to leave through the back door into a waiting car.

We are formally introduced to the blue-eyed stranger; his name is Robin, and he tells the 3 young men that he's taking them back to their base.

But they were not headed to the base. It was a set-up. Two other men were waiting when Robin stopped the car. First Neil, then Donny were killed execution style. But Robin toyed with Sandy, making him sing an old Scottish song before he shot him. Robin walked away from the three bodies without looking back. But he didn't forget to cross himself as he left the scene.

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Replies:
- I found the second of today's chapters much harder to read than the first. I felt Pamela's actions regarding Love were justified and really, the only way to ensure she and Casey would be safe. And I think Father Kevin came to accept that the only true way to stop Love was with his death as he gave her the information she needed to put an end to Love. To be honest, I have only ever been able to read "Scotsman's Lament" once, when Cindy sent it to me before the book was published. Robin's callous and casual cruelty just took my breath away and literally made me feel sick to my stomach. While I don't believe the British troops had any place in NI and while they certainly perpetrated their share of cruel acts, nobody deserves what happened to those men, especially not the way Robin tortured Sandy. (NT) -- Carla, 06:13:11 08/05/09 Wed
  - Oh yes, I totally agree. That is one brutal chapter. Quite an introduction to Casey's old buddy, too. (NT) -- Elaine, 09:52:38 08/05/09 Wed
  - I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before this chapter was based on real events, where three Scots soldiers were killed exactly this way- well obviously I don't know if anyone was made to sing or anything and the fight was my own imaginings, but the rest was pretty much exactly how it happened. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:16:30 08/05/09 Wed
- Totally OT - I just love that photo of the Mystic. Don't know who took it, I 'borrowed' from the web. I think it feels haunting because the only color is in the reflection. (NT) -- Elaine, 09:54:38 08/05/09 Wed
  - It is a beautiful picture Elaine! My new camera has shipped, hope to get it by Friday so I can play - I'll never shoot anything as pretty as this picture though - I don't have the 'eye' *g* (NT) -- Mahri, 11:31:09 08/05/09 Wed
    - Are you being sassy?! :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:32:19 08/05/09 Wed
      - LOL who ME??? Not in this post...maybe down below ;-) (NT) -- Mahri (), 11:43:46 08/05/09 Wed
        
        Never say never, Mahri. (NT) -- Elaine, 12:24:34 08/05/09 Wed
        
        Haha, ok - probably not *g* It would have to be a fluke or some major photo editing because I really don't have the artistic eye...not when I want to anyway ;-) (NT) -- Mahri, 14:42:09 08/05/09 Wed
- 17 - I felt so bad for Fr. Kevin here - he says he never knew Pamela and he thinks he's now looking at a stranger. Who/what did he think she was? What did he think of her sleeping with Love to save her husband? I realize murder is a tad more serious than adultrey, but if he saw that she was capable of one for love why would he be shocked to learn she was capable of the other. I don't think Pamela had any other choice than to do what she did - I like to think of it as just passing on some info. Though everyone was pretty certain what the outcome of that action would be, it wasn't guaranteed, the Basarelli made a choice and acted, he could've chose another path. I understand the guilt Pamela & Kevin must feel about their part, but I didn't share it on their behalf...not in the situation. (NT) -- Mahri, 11:10:43 08/05/09 Wed
  - I didn't see Pamela's actions as murder, rather a self-defense killing. Emma was dead, and it was very likely that Casey would be next. (NT) -- Tess, 11:53:02 08/05/09 Wed
    - Me too Tess. I understand Kevin's moral dilemma but I don't think it's always so black & white and I like to think that God or the powers that be know or understand that as well. (NT) -- Mahri, 12:40:50 08/05/09 Wed
- 18 - Yea this was a shocking chapter. Though we've been told that the brutality/terroist acts were carried out on both sides, this is the first detailed example coming from the other side. It is painful to know no matter which side of the 'war' you're on and those that refuse to acknowledge that both sides did some awful things are in denial. (NT) -- Mahri (), 11:22:48 08/05/09 Wed
  - There was this great quote on 'The Wire' the other night that said, 'No one wins in a war, one side just loses more slowly.' I thought that really summed up war of any sort. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:31:46 08/05/09 Wed
    - Yes, it does, doesn't it? (NT) -- Tracy, 11:46:46 08/05/09 Wed
    - Great line. (NT) -- Elaine, 12:26:06 08/05/09 Wed
- I felt terrible for Emma and her son, now an orphan. It wasn't an easy decision for Pamela but the necessary one as there was no other way out - out and alive. I am not religious in the strictest sense of the word but did find the conversation with Father Kevin profound and heavy. Pamela raises some good points for example, the fact that she has a choice may be at the hands of God and either her husband dies or Lovett dies. The objects of the choice aren't ones she would want but the choice is hers and there is power in that. (NT) -- Tracy, 11:57:37 08/05/09 Wed
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 15, Caught in the Crosshairs -- Elaine, 07:22:02 08/04/09 Tue [12]

The jig is up. Pamela learns from agent Gus that his bosses no longer need her help in bringing down Love Hagerty's operation.

Hagerty, working with Mark Ryan and apparently ready to go legit, is going to give up information to the FBI that will bring down the Basarelli family.

Blackie is also going to be taken down by Hagerty; the location of the body of Cassandra Neil, one of Blackie's former girlfriends, has been disclosed by Hagerty. And Blackie's current love interest is missing, presumed dead.

Gus hints that Guilio Bassarelli would be very grateful to learn about Love's newfound interest with the FBI. Pamela knows that revealing this information means certain death for Love Hagerty.

Pamela has two days to decide her future, and Casey's.

* * *

Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 16, All the Way Home

Casey has returned to Boston. It's a cold Saturday night as Casey observes the party scene. Hagerty is aware that Casey is outside, looking in.

A silhouette of Pamela appears in the library window. Casey does not recognize the elegant dress she is wearing. However, he does recognize that, while he would never be comfortable in such an elite setting, Pamela fits in perfectly.

Casey, exhausted but charged with adrenaline, creates a scene as he pushes his way into Hagerty's home, calling for his wife. He displays Olie's blood money in front of the guests. As Hagerty asks him to join him in the library, Casey passes out.

When he comes to, Casey tells Pamela to get her wrap, he is taking her home. Seeing his seriousness, she leaves to retrieve her wrap. Casey and Hagerty are alone in the library, where they confront each other's treacherous motives.

Hagerty tells Casey that every man ~ and woman ~ has a price.

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Replies:
- Cindy, is the Basarelli family real? (NT) -- Tracy, 10:37:24 08/04/09 Tue
  - Yes, I just changed the name- the real name of the family that ruled North Boston at that time, as well as all of New England was Angiulo. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:05:22 08/04/09 Tue
- I could really feel Agent Gus' frustration here. While it's common practice to use a smaller fish (and wouldn't Love be furious to think of himself as a smaller fish) to catch the big ones it still doesn't sit well, especially when it endangers the people who were working to catch the small fish in the first place. Do you think Gus hints to Pamela about a way to get rid of Love out of frustration? Does Gus not go to Bassarelli himself as he'd never be believed? (NT) -- Carla, 11:16:53 08/04/09 Tue
  - Well, Gus is definitely not getting his own hands dirty. (NT) -- Tess, 11:53:12 08/04/09 Tue
- Chapter 16: I love how Casey marches in and reclaims Pamela. He calls Love on what he's done in front of all those people, stands up to him in the library and then leaves with his wife. I have to say my heart was in my throat the first time I read this, wondering if Love was going to tell Casey where Pamela had spent the last few months. Why do you think he holds this info back, knowing how much it would devastate him? (NT) -- Carla, 11:20:19 08/04/09 Tue
  - He goes nearly as far as telling him, doesn't he? I think he probably didn't want to create a scene in front of the guests. If he is trying to "go legit," he likely has some prominent political figures there in the party. He's got to mind his image if he wants to be mainstream. (NT) -- Tess, 11:55:59 08/04/09 Tue
  - I think Love wants to completely possess Pamela and believes he has paid the price. By exchanging Casey's life for Pamela's body (and her soul), he smugly recognizes that he has the opportunity to give her the life she was born to live while damaging the relationship between Casey and Pamela. The only stumbling block is the reappearance of Casey, and a well-placed bullet will take care of that. If Love is the one to inform Casey of the affair, he loses Pamela, too. Better to wait for the day Pamela turns to him as either widow or divorcee. (NT) -- Sallie (), 13:20:54 08/04/09 Tue
    - Exactly, Sallie- he knows that to tell Casey about the affair is to lose Pamela. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't have the wherewithal to realize he never really had her anyway. (NT) -- celtgirl, 15:13:29 08/04/09 Tue
    - Your good Sallie :-) I wish I thought this way - motive/action/consequence but I don't - I guess I only think/feel on the surface. I don't know, I'm probably not making any sense..I just know I don't 'see' some of these things automatically :-\ I haven't re-read this chapter yet, but I remember being nervous that Love would tell Casey and I felt awful for Casey standing outside those windows looking in - oh and I wished Casey would just end it now and kick Love's ass in front of all his lofty friends *g* (NT) -- Mahri, 15:40:05 08/04/09 Tue
- I was scared and still was on this re-read when Casey was at the window. At first I thought, poor Casey looking in on that world and then I though oh no! what if he sees Pamela and Lovett in an embrace or something and then I thought OH NO! what if someone gets severely beaten or killed? I was n-e-r-v-o-u-s - thank you Cindy! :) (NT) -- Tracy, 17:41:38 08/04/09 Tue
  - Oh no, that would never have happened. Pamela would have very firm rules around this 'affair' meaning there would be no touching at all at a public event or place. She want to keep his slimey hands away from her as much as possible. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 17:52:25 08/04/09 Tue
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapter 12 -- Lil, 08:44:00 08/02/09 Sun [8]
Emma

Pamela goes to a rundown building that smells of “stale, greasy cooking and cat urine” to meet with E. Malone. Emma...

Emma is described as someone with a slim androgynous body, but eyes that had seen too much in her life. Emma is surprised to see Pamela and wants to know what Love wants with her.

Pamela explains that Love doesn’t know she’s there, using the excuse of “women’s troubles” to get him to leave her alone. (I honestly love this excuse, and have used it in the past to get out of things. *g*)

Pamela identifies herself as Casey’s wife and tells Emma she knows all about the murder and her assumptions about the set-up of Casey.

Pamela then begins to work Emma (she’s very good, btw!) talking about Emma’s past with her father’s partner, the murder of Lt. O’Donnell, her involvement in setting up Rosemary...all actions Pamela believes Emma did on Love’s behalf.

Emma tells how she believes that Love was the one who killed her twin brothers. She shares about her past in Southie and how her involvement with Love kept her there.

Pamela finally lays out her terms: She wants Emma’s help in taking Love down. Emma tells Pamela about a “pipeline of heroin” and advises Pamela to watch Blackie.

At the end of their conversation, Emma’s son, Jakey, comes out of his bedroom. From his physical description he could very well be Love’s son.

Emma’s last words to Pamela as she leaves are:
Pray that the bastard doesn’t make a fist before you manage to get out of his palm. (pg 106)

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Replies:
- I saw Pamela's visit to Emma as a sign of just how desperate she is to get the goods on Love and get the heck out of there. Poor Emma. What a ruin of a life, what a heart break for her parents to have essentially lost all of their children and poor wee Jakey, to grow up with such fear and disfunction regardless of the love Emma bears for him. (NT) -- Carla, 17:59:36 08/02/09 Sun
  - Yea I saw it the same. Plan A was definitely not working. Hagerty didn't have loose lips between the sheets, so she was trying to devise a Plan B. I think she could no longer stand the deception, and Hagerty was getting too insistent about making her his woman. (NT) -- Tess, 19:48:58 08/02/09 Sun
- "Looks like he'd be hell between the sheets, but the kind of hell a woman'd gladly burn in 'bout ten times a week" Well that says a lot, doesn't it? :) Yes, I agree that Pamela was desperate and needed to get some heavy info on Lovett and quickly because as Emma said "pray that he doesn't make a fist before you manage to get out of his palm." I know Lovett is bad but seen through Emma's eyes and experiences provided another layer to his cruelty toward people. It's also sad at the same time that he lived such a life because he didn't know what was real or what it meant to be contentedly happy. Maybe that wasn't important to him and the lure of money, power and control was greater, but when Pamela came along I got the feeling that maybe he could truly love someone but he was too far gone into evil to change and for it to really matter. (NT) -- Tracy, 21:04:59 08/02/09 Sun
  - I think all that also underlined the danger Pamela was in should Hagerty discover she was double-crossing him, particularly since his heart was involved in the matter. (NT) -- Tess, 05:59:45 08/03/09 Mon
    - Yes, I shudder to think what Lovett would have done to Pamela had he found out before she could bring him down. *shudder* (NT) -- Tracy, 10:38:10 08/03/09 Mon
- I'm re-reading this now, playing catch-up - but I remember thinking YES!!! Pamela is getting pro-active in taking the asshat down vs just continuing to sleep with him and hope for enough info that way. I know it put her in more danger but I felt it worth the risk. (NT) -- Mahri, 12:32:22 08/03/09 Mon
  - You said 'asshat.' (giggle) (NT) -- Tess, 16:53:15 08/03/09 Mon
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 13, After Camelot -- Elaine (), 08:43:46 08/03/09 Mon [5]

In this chapter we learn that Pamela, lonely and despairing, has hired on as an assistant to photographer Lucas North, who photographs weddings and other happy events when he isn't on assignment in war-torn parts of the world.

Pamela is in her element, having received the gracious compliment from North that she does indeed have an eye for photography.

Encountering yet another hanger-on, Charlie, while shooting a wedding, Pamela learns some disturbing facts about FBI agent Mark Ryan's relationship with Love Hagerty.

Pamela surreptitiously happens upon a clandestine encounter between Mark Ryan and Love Hagerty one night, and starts putting two and two together. Pamela plans to discuss this with FBI agent Gus.

Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Ch. 14, In the Blink of an Eye

The chapter opens with Olie trying to awaken the soundly sleeping Casey. Their ship is on its way to a maritime disaster, an explosion, in the hope of rescuing the crew, or what remains of it.

Casey crawls along the slippery ice floes as he makes his way towards the victims. The sights and smells of the disaster are horrifying.

Suddenly, Olie is upon him, gun in hand. Casey learns that Olie is one of Love's henchmen, having been hired to kill Casey as reparations for a drug deal gone wrong. When it seemed that all hope was lost, Hallbjorn appears on the scene. Olie is harpooned by the big man. At Olie's request, Casey removes a large amount of cash from Olie's coat, and removes the harpoon, knowing Olie will die.

After returning to their ship, Hallbjorn and Casey share some cod liver oil and a bit of the Icelandic home brew, Black Death. The ship docks at a herring village and Casey disembarks. One of the crew rescued from the explosion, a fellow named John, offers Casey a bed, and Casey, exhausted, takes it readily.

The next morning, John leaves again to go back to sea, and Casey, alone in John's crowded little house, places most of Olie's blood money on the table and starts out for home, determined to let no one stand in his way.

Last edited by author: Mon August 03, 2009 08:48:59 Edited 1 time.
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Replies:
- Not sure if anyone else felt this way, but when Pamela said she would be discussing her concerns about Mark Ryan with agent Gus, I became doubly worried, thinking maybe they're all in cahoots with Hagerty. (NT) -- Elaine, 08:45:23 08/03/09 Mon
  - I didn't get the feeling that Gus was a willing counterpart in it, but that perhaps he was used in order to help deposit Pamela into Love's lap. And we see in the next chapter how the whole idea that Pamela's affair with Hagerty might keep Casey safe was way off the mark. Couple of questions: Ryan approached Pamela as if he knew exactly who she was (going off poor memory here), and was, if I recall, a bit rude to her. No evident respect for "Love's gal," it seemed. And North was someone that knew Jamie, correct? So then it would seem from this connection that Jamie would likely have known about Pamela's affair with Love Hagerty. It just hit me, when I reached the ending, where Jamie confronts Casey about Pamela, and tells her he's not the only man to have to deal with his wife's infedelity. I wondered how he'd known. I suppose this is the link? (NT) -- Tess, 08:57:14 08/03/09 Mon
    - Jamie put things together after Pamela and Casey returned to Ireland. When they were in Boston Jamie was making a considerable effort to just let her go, not interfere nor even know what is going on in her life- Lucas wouldn't have known really what she was up to, he's in and out of the country and doesn't know her well enough to get a clear picture (no pun intended) of her private life. Jamie puts things together later by paying close attention to Pamela's demeanour etc. and no doubt by a few discreetly placed calls. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:32:54 08/03/09 Mon
- I was glad that Pamela had something to do which she loved and which gave her a bit of independence from Love. I did think it was very interesting when we first learned that Mark Ryan was in cahoots with Love and was very worried on Pamela's behalf. We if knew that Mark was an honest member of the FBI, then maybe I would have thought he was working Love, as well, but given his reputation I was worried. I think his rudeness to Pamela stems from the fact he'd read the FBI file and knew exactly what she was doing. I was completely flabbergasted on my first read when Ollie tried to kill Casey. To me this illustrates that without Love completely gone there never would have been safety and peace for Casey & Pamela anywhere in the world. (NT) -- Carla, 15:00:43 08/03/09 Mon
Spam in the Cottage ............ -- PeggyB, 11:31:32 08/01/09 Sat [4]
We've been getting spammed on several of the S&S boards...boo, hiss. To let you know, these are the actions I take when spammers show up:

1. Report the spam to Voy.
2. Delete the spam message(s).
3. Ban the posting address from viewing/posting on our boards.
4. Enable "captchas" for those not logged on to Voy.

If you have to enter a captcha to post on one of our boards, that is the reason. If you see spam on any S&S board, please let me know, you can use the "Contact Forum Admin" link above (I don't visit every board every day).

If spamming somehow continues after step 4, I will activate captchas for all posts. After some time passes, I can remove the captchas and see if the spammers come back.

Sorry for the inconvenience, such is the cost of "freedom."

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Replies:
- Thanks to Mahri for deleting the spam this morning. Captchas have been enabled for those who are not logged into Voy. Hopefully that will stop it, I've had to enable captchas for EVERYONE on the Twilight board. Grrrrr. (NT) -- PeggyB, 11:32:44 08/01/09 Sat
  - No problem Peggy - wasn't sure if I had the shilleagh here or not, turns out I do under 'Marilyn' *g* If you let me know how to report to Voy, I'll do that next time before deleting. (NT) -- Mahri, 11:36:54 08/01/09 Sat
    - There's a third icon, next to the trashcan...if you hover over it you'll see it says something about reporting the message as spam. Thanks, Mahri. (NT) -- PeggyB, 07:23:48 08/03/09 Mon
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapter 11 -- Lil, 14:51:02 08/01/09 Sat [7]
Tales From the Fourth Dimension

Casey & Pamela are inside the cottage. Pamela seems unaffected by the cold and storm. Casey is laying under blankets, teeth chattering.

Casey tells her he believes he saw a ghost when he was outside earlier. She is surprised that he believes in ghosts.

Casey delivers a very scientific monologue about subatomic particles and dimensional realities and their possible relation to ghosts and the unexplained.

Casey shares his own personal ghost story. It starts with an incident that happened in Parkhurst Prison. He was horribly beaten in the middle of the night, presumably by the guards who he'd pissed off earlier in the day.

Casey awakes from his beating to find a man named Angus as his 'nurse'. Angus prepared poultices, drinks and provides company for Casey. Casey is in and out during this time.

"At the darkest time of night there is a turning point. From darkness to light, from death to life, a journey completed, a new journey begun. You must make the choice - light or dark, death or life? CHOOSE, BOY!" (pg 89)

Thankfully, Casey chooses life. After another conversation about the stars and our beloved Casey breaks down and cries. Tears that had not fallen in years. When he wakes, Angus is gone and no trace of him in the prison.

Milton, the prison librarian and self-appointed historian, helps Casey search for Angus. Late one night Milton brings Casey to the library to show him that Angus did exist...some 150 years prior.

Casey shows Pamela the amulet that Angus left him - something he brings to sea with him now.

Casey falls asleep and Pamela is in her own thoughts about her time in the water. How it made her feel somewhat cleansed of what had recently happened with Love and gave her the ability to look Casey in the eyes when they are together.

We learn how things progressed between Pamela and Love. How he had not only wanted sex, but had required a sense of emotionality to it. Pamela hopes she fooled him.

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Replies:
- Subatomic particles indeed. This right brainer needs a visual to understand half of what Casey's saying :). But I think I get the gist of it. I was just horrified about the prison torture. But so moved by all that Milton did. Makes you wonder if there are those caught in another place and if they can indeed manifest themselves in our world. I remember my grandfather speaking to me in a dream after he passed and I never worried about him after that. There was always this sense of calm knowing that he was okay. But he never showed up to tuck me in! (NT) -- CindyS, 16:14:22 08/01/09 Sat
- I will admit that at least half of the subatomic particles explanation went right over the head of this non-scientific girl, but I do love that Casey believes there is truth buried somewhere in many of the old tales. I thought his recounting of his time with Angus was magical, although the attack that lead to it was horrific. I was glad Casey and Pamela were able to share such a connected moment at such a disconnected time in their lives. (NT) -- Carla, 16:56:18 08/01/09 Sat
- So funny, because I kind of got the subatomic thing, but the whole how the heck did he get that amulet part got me! Initially, when I started to re-read this chapter I had forgotten what was to come....then I was pleasantly surprised to re-read the section with Angus. Although I didn't like seeing Casey beaten, I liked how he came to stay with the living. Thank you, Angus! (NT) -- Lil, 17:58:16 08/01/09 Sat
  - I remember the first time I read the subatomic part, my head was spinning. The second time I read it, a light bulb went off and I sorta 'got it' - this time? The light bulb burned out *g* Maybe I was trying to hard to imagine it or apply it to something other than the end of his cig..I don't know, but my brain hurt ;-) (NT) -- Mahri, 07:54:03 08/02/09 Sun
- Oops, guess I melded this chapter and yesterday's chapter together in my post below - I must have been reading so intensely that I didn't notice a chapter change *g* The prison beating, that was written a little too well yea (that's a good thing), I could really feel the terror and brutality..my poor Casey. Loved the ghost story about Angus. (NT) -- Mahri, 07:50:26 08/02/09 Sun
- On my first read, I was just as surprised as Casey was that Angus was about 150 years old and a ghost. I don't know why I don't clue into things like this sooner but I'm kind of glad that I don't because the surprises are much fun indeed. I liked Casey's explanation of the particles and the fourth dimension and was really into it. After reading the Golden Compass series, I get it and find it fascinating. (NT) -- Tracy, 20:49:02 08/02/09 Sun
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapter 10 -- Lil, 08:17:45 08/01/09 Sat [14]
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears

Casey wakes from sleep disoriented and confused. His mind begins to clear and he remembers he's with Pamela in a cottage in Yarmouth.

He rolls over to find comfort in her presence, but finds cold empty sheets. It is storming outside and he knows that's where she's gone.

Casey stumbles down the shoreline to find Pamela laying in the sand, completely naked.

Casey watches her and thinks about how generic her father's story is (about his emmegration to America) and how he knows there are questions that he will never know the answer to in regards to his wife.

Another bolt of lightning and Casey sees a dark shadow beyond Pamela.

He instinctively runs toward her to protect her. When he arrives to her, yelling for her to come inside, she pulls him down and they make love right there.

Two great quotes from this chapter:

Born to the sea, she was; a mermaid in a bowl of tears. And he with his feet planted firmly in the earth. (pg 73)

But it bothered him to realize that somewhere inside here was a core of loneliness that he could not penetrate, a loss that was shrouded but not healed. Bothered him that the sea somehow gave her relief that he could not. His wife, yet there was always some element of her that eluded him. (pg 74)

(Sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday. My internet connection went down and now I'm behind. I'll try to get my last chapter posted in a few hours.)

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Replies:
- I wanted to say how wonderfully symbolic the writing in this chapter is. At this point I am not sure if the dark figure is a real person, ghost or something symbolic. But I think you did a wonderful job in writing this chapter, Cindy. (NT) -- Lil, 08:19:51 08/01/09 Sat
  - I like what you said, Nalana. It really is an important, symbolic chapter. (NT) -- Elaine, 08:37:21 08/01/09 Sat
  - Thanks, Nalana. I does my best. :) This was one of those chapters that just presented whole, which doesn't happen often, but I could really just feel the atmosphere clearly and feel the weather around me. Of course, I did go walking on a beach on Cape Cod in a terrible storm- it started after we got down there- it was wild, but a little scary and it inspired this chapter. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:16:01 08/01/09 Sat
- This is a really wild, beautiful chapter. The storm, the other worldly feeling and Casey's 'ghost' story, it left me unsettled..not in a bad way...just somehow not at peace. As much as I love the ocean and being near the shore, I am not comfortable IN it, especially at night. Re-reading this reminded me of an incident at the beach one year - DH was stressed/frustrated so he took his wee beach chair down and sat right where the waves were crashing at his feet. Well the tide was coming in and I watched as the waves moved from crashing at his feet to his calves to his lap and I said to DD's 'If I have to go drag his ass out of that water, I'm gonna kill him' *g* Those certainly weren't lustful feelings hahaha (NT) -- Mahri, 11:31:55 08/01/09 Sat
  - I love being IN it- I love the push and pull of the waves, like it's going to pull you right out and there's nothing you can do about it, that power is kind of mesmerizing. I was swimming at Vilano Beach in Florida one time and stood up to walk back to the shore, and had a wave just scoop me up and fling me onto the shore, I couldn't breath for a few seconds, because I hit so hard. It honestly felt like another person had picked me up and hurled me ashore. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:59:27 08/01/09 Sat
    - I used to like that too - being out jumping and riding the waves, feeling the pull was a giddy feeling. But getting caught in an undertow once scared the bejeebus out of me. I have a healthy respect for the power out there though :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 12:30:26 08/01/09 Sat
      - Talking about jumping in the waves, made me remember this image I've carried with me since my first visit to Ireland. I was sitting on some rocks on a beach in Donegal, and this girl was wandering along the shore. She was quite tall, milky fair and had fiery red long hair, curly and down to her waist. All of a sudden she picked up her skirts and ran right into the ocean- it was just one of those images that's so breathtaking in the moment that it flash-freezes onto your consciousness forever. (NT) -- celtgirl (), 12:37:36 08/01/09 Sat
        
        Ooohh that does sound like a breathtaking image - and then the temp of the water probably literally took her breath away ;-) (NT) -- Mahri, 13:33:50 08/01/09 Sat
- Yes, I agree that the writing is beautifully symbolic and I just adore the phrase "mermaid in a bowl of tears". I think Cindy does a profound job of describing the nature's elements and weaving them into the story. The ocean is a character in this story, to me, as is the sky and the stars. (NT) -- Tracy, 12:44:43 08/01/09 Sat
  - I wanted to add that the description of smells, sights and feelings were so natural and visceral - is that the right word? - that I was pulled in further and it carried over into chapter eleven especially when Casey reflects on his prison experience. (NT) -- Tracy, 13:33:02 08/01/09 Sat
    - That prison chapter ended up being one of my favourites in the whole book- difficult to write the beating scene, but I really enjoyed the parts with Angus, and it actually turned out pretty close to what I'd hoped. So I'm glad to know they felt very real for you, Tracy. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:21:44 08/01/09 Sat
- Isn't there some scripture passage about cleansing the inside of the cup so the outside will be clean? And yeah, wow on the symbolism. I just love the whole visual of her being engulfed with renewing waters and letting all thats inside of her go so that she can present her physical self to her husband. The irony here of course that he knows something is just not quite right. (NT) -- CindyS, 16:06:14 08/01/09 Sat
- I'm a little late to the game here today as I had to work. As much as I do love the ocean in all its moods I do have to say I stay out of the ocean when it's this fierce :) I have an enormous amount of healthy respect mingled with fear for the power of the ocean, perhaps as a result of having grown up in a place whose culture is full of stories of men "taken" by the sea. This is a very elemental chapter, in ways far beyond the elements of weather, water, earth and sky. (NT) -- Carla, 16:52:24 08/01/09 Sat
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapter 9 -- Lil, 07:49:27 07/31/09 Fri [18]
The Nature of Love

Chapter starts off with an awesome description of the organized crime situation in Boston. Kudo's to Cindy!

We find that even Love Hagerty has a master - Guilio Bassarelli, head of the Italian mob.

Pamela notes that she believes Love's biggest weakness is his ambition, followed closely by his pride and ego.

We learn that Pamela has begun "the game" with Love, accepting expensive clothes, gifts and a 1/2 Million dollar emerald necklace.

Pamela's strategy to get information is to pit Love against Blackie. She has seen Blackie speaking to someone she knows would pique Love's interest.

When she tells him the info, over a quiet romantic dinner, Love is very angry and makes threats to remind Blackie of his "place".

The interesting note: The man Blackie was talking to was a childhood friend of Love and also a Federal Agent - Mark Ryan.

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Replies:
- 'Kay not part of this chapter but.... Happy Birthday Darlin'!!! (NT) -- Mahri, 08:21:05 07/31/09 Fri
- Yowza, that some necklace! I can definitely see that on Pamela's neck. I despise that slimy, smarmy Love Hagerty. (NT) -- Elaine, 12:09:58 07/31/09 Fri
  - That really is a knockout piece of jewellry, isn't it? I'd be nervous as heck to wear it, if it's the real thing though. I just love emeralds. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:25:46 07/31/09 Fri
    - I was thinking that Pamela should have sneaked off, sold it, jumped a plane, picked up Casey and flew back home to live happily and wealthy ever after. I know that would have made for a very boring storyline, but just a thought when I was reading. (NT) -- Tracy, 14:30:37 07/31/09 Fri
  - yep him, Blackie & Ryan - I loathe all of them! (NT) -- CindyS, 12:26:19 07/31/09 Fri
- Well I have already harped on the unhappy decision in the last chapter. Here I think it becomes much more clear just how dangerous this situation is for Pamela. (NT) -- Tess, 12:56:24 07/31/09 Fri
  - Oh...and.... >>>> -- Tess, 13:01:34 07/31/09 Fri
    - Wow, you're almost done, Tess! (if it's where I'm thinking- after the musical/ field reconciliation scene). (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:39:43 07/31/09 Fri
      - Oh aye, where he pounced on her in the field (grin). (NT) -- Tess, 13:56:55 07/31/09 Fri
        
        *THUD* :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 14:38:57 07/31/09 Fri
    - Ohh Tess, you are really reading at a good pace now! I love the scenes with Lawrence. (NT) -- Tracy, 14:33:03 07/31/09 Fri
- Ah what a tangled web we weave . . . . For what it's worth, I do think Love would have tracked them down and paid someone to do his dirty work no matter where they'd gone. We know he has connections with Clann Na Gael, hence the IRA. It would have been simple enough for him to pay an IRA member who's none to fond of Casey to kill him once they were back in Ireland. A horrible situation with no right answers. (NT) -- Carla, 17:31:11 07/31/09 Fri
  - Yes, that's true, they wouldn't have felt safe anywhere. (NT) -- Elaine, 06:20:23 08/01/09 Sat
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapters 7 & 8 -- Lil, 07:46:06 07/30/09 Thu [36]
Devil's Deal

It's Spring in Boston.

Pamela takes a personal refuge from Love by having lunch in the park by their office building.

Agent Gus approaches Pamela one day at her bench looking very "agent-like".

Agent Gus asks Pamela to have sex with/an affair with Love so they can get evidence against him. And wouldn't you know Gus lets her know that doing so will save Casey from Love.

She agrees and is given a one month timeline to get started and get the info.

Agent Gus suggests she and Casey return to Ireland once the evidence has been turned - they are safer with an ocean between them and Love's associates.

After the discussion, Pamela thinks of Jamie - "Oh Jamie," she whispered forlornly, "what do I do know?" (pg 60)

The Whale Road

"The snotgreen sea. The scrotumtightening sea."

We meet some fo the crew on Jeannie's Star, specifically it's captain Olie and Icelandic crewman, Hallbjorn - a quietely massive man.

Olie loves to pass the rum around with the crew. Casey describes it as "the blackest foulest concoction" he's ever had and is worse than Irish poitin.

Casey also shares their meetings with Humpback Whales, one he's named Soot.

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Replies:
- Can't shake the feeling that Gus is a pawn in this. Seems odd that he would come up with this idea on his own for Pamela. I had gotten the impression before when he was with Casey that he was an above-board man. However, his suggestion to Pamela that she risk life, limb, and her very marriage to do this was seedy. And how can he know that her sleeping with Hagerty would "help" Casey? I just think that someone above him, likely one of the corrupted minions of Hagery on the police force. I feel sorry for Pamela in this moment, but I also want to throttle her too. She makes a decision without even having the chance to sleep on it (no pun intended), yet she has a month to plan. That month of planning behind Casey's back had to have made her feel icky. I think she's making a horrible decision, but it's evident that she's lacking her moral compass...Jamie...to help her to know what to do in this awful situation. (NT) -- Tess, 08:36:13 07/30/09 Thu
  - Ditto - I just wanted to yell at her. Hasn't she learned anything about communicating with her husband. I know she fears for his life, just like she did after the train incident, but come on..he told her that she should have told him and i'm betting that if she had spoken to him now they would have come up with a plan together to get the info the FBI needed on Love. Two heads and all that. (NT) -- CindyS, 23:45:30 07/30/09 Thu
    - And it really didn't make Casey any safer. In fact it made it more dangerous for him. (NT) -- Tess, 06:48:57 07/31/09 Fri
    - But then we would have nothing to talk about ;-) Well, maybe not nothing, but it probably wouldn't be as interesting or stirred so much emotion yea? *g* (NT) -- Mahri, 07:09:00 07/31/09 Fri
      - true there - but then again I think it would have been very interesting to see how Casey & Pamela could have plotted to bring Love down. I guess I was just really surprised she never mentions to him her meeting with agent Gus. Even if she leaves out the FBI's request of her, Gus tells her that they've approached Casey and he didn't want to help. I'd think she'd want to know what's really going on with him & Love and just how deep in doo-doo he is. (NT) -- CindyS, 07:47:43 07/31/09 Fri
- While I shudder for Pamela at having to do such a horrible thing, I truly believe she felt she was backed into a corner with nowhere else to turn. She knows that Love is bent on destroying Casey and feels that she must destroy him first. I think Agent Gus was desperate, knowing Love was onto -- and had killed -- at least one of their agent and was possibly about to discover and kill others. Women have been used in this role of spy through pillow talk throughout history, so this is hardly a novel idea -- to bring a man down through his sexual desires. I don't think that Jamie is Pamela's moral compass, just a true friend of the soul whom she can trust to give her honest advice and opinion. In reality, if this was Jamie's sphere of influence he would have gotten rid of Love through his own channels, rather than having Pamela put herself in such a position, but in Boston they are beyond even Jamie's reach. (NT) -- Carla, 09:16:31 07/30/09 Thu
  - Yes, women have done this for ages as spies. But it still sucks (grin). Pamela initially went to Jamie as a spy. I wonder, did Gus know her history as well? (NT) -- Tess, 09:31:16 07/30/09 Thu
    - I would venture to say that Agent Gus probably knows Pamela's history rather well. :) I knew this was a part of the story that would be controversial, and that many readers wouldn't like- heck, I wasn't thrilled when the storyline presented itself in my mind, but even now in retrospect, it's just how the story went. I think to understand part of why Pamela made this decision, you have to understand that both Love Hagerty and his real life counterpart- Whitey Bulger had such a lock on those neighbourhoods in Boston that people were afraid of everything- police, Feds etc.>>> -- celtgirl, 11:51:48 07/30/09 Thu
      - FWIW, I'm not a lightweight reader here. I am pretty ok with appalling storylines...if not for them, what would we have to discuss?....I am morbidly looking forward to Casey's reaction when he finds out about this...I feel pretty certain that he will. Generally initial reactions are more visceral to the controversial things (like Pamela's rape...ee gads...I was sittingin a hotel lobby surrounded by conventioners when I read that! Had I any inkling what was about to happen, I would have been somewhere by myself!). Subsequent re-reads allow for the more thoughtful analytical contemplation. (NT) -- Tess, 12:25:39 07/30/09 Thu
        
        I'm hoping I didn't come across in a bad way with what I said- I just thought I'd explain some of my reasoning behind how the story actually went, because it did give me pause at the time, as well. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:00:18 07/30/09 Thu
        
        Er no, you didn't And I didn't take any ill meaning. I honestly have a difficult time keeping my thoughts in order in this message format because I can't see (and often forget) what I have already written in the message....maybe I orta put everything inside the message. But I wanted to try to convey that ~yes~ this decision of Pamela's upset me...as it is supposed to do...however, I like it when a storyline disturbs me. But then I also like to go off into the various tangents of why/how, etc, and dissect the heck out of it. I'm admittedly naive at this point, since I don't have the knowledge of 'what will happen next' as the rest of the re-readers do, and I am speculating blindly at this point. But I am having fun...so feel free to 'splain away at will. (grin) (NT) -- Tess, 13:14:26 07/30/09 Thu
        
        Tess, if you hit 'preview' it will let you see what you've written, and then you just hit post when you're ready. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:33:54 07/30/09 Thu
        
        Oh, what a novel idea....(grin) (NT) -- Tess, 13:37:04 07/30/09 Thu
- Oh, that black foul concoction Ollie is passing around is Screech, a brand of Newfoundland rum which originates in Jamacia -- they've changed the recipe over the years so that it's considerably mellower than it would have been at the time of Casey's induction. I will confess to loving this chapter as it's set in my home province. Cindy got the feeling of the place and people down pat, not surprisingly since Ireland is called the most Irish place outside of Ireland. (NT) -- Carla, 09:19:17 07/30/09 Thu
- geez! I just saw my typo's up there. Sorry about that! Especially the one in the Chapter 7 quote...Cindy didn't mess that up...I did! It s/b "now" not "know".... (NT) -- Lil, 11:24:50 07/30/09 Thu
- Agent Gus plays hardball but he knows what Love is like and has more of an idea of how things are done than Pamela and Casey at this point, although I think they are quickly catching on. I don't think Love could be brought down any other way - obviously whatever the feds tried in the past hasn't worked so this may be the last resort. Unfortunately, Pamela must be involved and yes, it is rather disheartening to know what she has to do, but there is no other choice. Casey lives or dies. How could she not do something to save his life? I see her as brave and so much in love with a man that she will do anything to protect him and keep him safe. This is what keeps a story hopping and alive imho. Now, I want to read more to find out what happens next. (NT) -- Tracy, 11:31:09 07/30/09 Thu
  - It's a huge sacrifice on her part. Not sure how Casey will think on it. Not just the sleeping with Hagerty, but the lying and deception that was necessary to undertake the task. I don't expect him to have a rational detached view of this situation at all. I'm just going to have to keep reading to find out what happens next. I have to say upon the 1st read through of this book, my sympathies lie more heavily with Casey than with Pamela. He's being cuckolded (everyone in town seems to know Pamela's screwing Hagerty), and someone is still trying to kill him. (NT) -- Tess, 12:49:12 07/30/09 Thu
    - Tess, just as a sidenote- when my husband read this part, he said to me, very dryly- 'should you ever need to sleep with someone else to save my life, just know, I'd rather be dead.' So from the male perspective, no such things don't go down well. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:59:11 07/30/09 Thu
      - oh, I am sure my DH would say the same. I think if it had been me, I would have told Casey - and had home and hearth packed up with two tickets to Ireland or Anywhere! I couldn't have done what Pamela did. I would rather have dug around looking for paperwork or other bits of information. Of course, Love is careful, so this is the only way to get any info I'm sure. I just don't know how she does it! (NT) -- Lil, 13:19:19 07/30/09 Thu
      - Well I wonder how Pamela would have felt had the shoe been on the other foot? I doubt it would go down well for a woman either. Interesting that we've seen Casey have to deal with jealousy, but I don't recall so far having to see Pamela have any reason to be jealousy or suspicion of Casey, or even feel any threat from another woman. Although she is aware that other women are definitely attracted to him. (NT) -- Tess, 13:34:12 07/30/09 Thu
        
        Ergh! Typos...I have much better grammar than this....(frown) (NT) -- Tes, 13:35:03 07/30/09 Thu
    - My sympathies were with Casey too - now that might have to do with the fact that I'm in lust with that boy and though I know he's not perfect, I have a hard time admitting he does any wrong...I don't know, but I just dreaded for him to find out *g* (NT) -- Mahri, 13:41:58 07/30/09 Thu
- Oh gawd - I still (after 3 reads) can't believe Pamela agreed to this..ugh!! I dreaded what might happen if Casey ever found out. There probably was a less damning way to save themselves - like feckin move to California *g* - but it wouldn't have stirred the emotions this scenario did. Oh my stomach was in knots :-\ (NT) -- Mahri (), 11:32:23 07/30/09 Thu
  - Does it make it worse for you, or better, or affect it in any way otherwise....to know that Hagerty was in love with Pamela? Just curious, for purpose of discussion. Would it have been different if he was just looking for action from her, rather than a relationship? (NT) -- Tess, 13:00:18 07/30/09 Thu
    - Ya know, I'm not really sure if I thought about it at the time, but I have to say that knowing he loved her made it just a tad easier for me only in the sense that I thought Pamela might actually be safe in the end - a false sense maybe but I remember feeling it. Because he loved her, I thought she might be able to push a little bit further for info w/o getting caught, than she would've if he didn't care about her at all. Don't know if that makes any sense - the whole damn situation makes me ill, it's hard to imagine finding it easy. (NT) -- Mahri, 13:38:10 07/30/09 Thu
      - I think, for me....it seemed to make it better for Pamela, because at least this guy wasn't going to use her and toss her aside like one of his other mistresses. However, for Casey I think it made it worse, because that meant that just having him out of town & out of the way for secret rendezvous would not be enough; he'd want Casey permanently out of the picture. (NT) -- Tess, 14:09:43 07/30/09 Thu
    - From the POV of the character, I think it's worse that he is in love with her, rather than just wanting her body, he also wants emotion- that's her viewpoint. (NT) -- celtgirl, 16:23:50 07/30/09 Thu
      - That's interesting. I can see how it would be worse in that way. After all, now he's looking for her to reciprocate the emotion. I suppose she'd be feeling pressure to fake feelings for him. (NT) -- Tess, 07:07:12 07/31/09 Fri
- I hate Agent Gus, and >>> -- Elaine, 16:53:07 07/30/09 Thu
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapter 6 -- Lil, 09:55:47 07/29/09 Wed [14]
Priest and Friend

In this chapter we meet Father Kevin, a red-headed young priest who has also become friends with Casey.

We find the two engaged in a fierce game of basketball.

Fr. Kevin suspects something is troubling Casey and starts asking questions.

Casey tells how his conscience is troubled working with/for Love Hagerty. He also shares about the situation regarding Emma, Rosemary and the Police.

Casey sees some inconsistencies in the research he's been doing to include the owner of the property in the White Mountains, possibly being connected to Emma.

Fr. Kevin offers Casey a job at sea working for his cousin in an attempt to stay out of Love's way.

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Replies:
- I'm curious as to why Casey would contemplate going to work on a fishing boat for weeks at a time, leaving his wife working for this very man for whom he has misgivings about working for himself, particularly considering that he is aware of Hagerty's lust toward Pamela. I don't understand why he wouldn't want to get her out of that situation as well, rather than leaving her there to fend for herself. He's been approached by the Feds, he knows he's involved with a mbster, who wants to get his wife in bed, and most likely is trying to get rid of him according to the recent evidence pertaining to the dead prostitute. I just cannot see why he would think going away and leaving his wife alone in that environment would help matters. (NT) -- Tess, 10:18:26 07/29/09 Wed
  - Let's see if I can explain the reasoning behind this in a coherent fashion. I know I'll go long, so I'm going to tuck this response inside- also going inside in case someone else wants to take a stab at answering Tess' question, without knowing what my reasoning for the storyline is>>> -- celtgirl (), 11:11:15 07/29/09 Wed
    - Thanks for the explication. I'm somewhere about chapter 18 in the book currently....Flip's just entered the picture. Anyway...I reckon I was voicing frustrations at the way Casey handles this situation, which have, as you say, disastrous consequences. While I do see that he's out of his element, I don't necessarily think he is out of character. He has had a tendency to fail to realize when someone he cares about is in need of his protection. He does have the tendency on occasion to be a bit dense and completely misinterpret things. Bah...but that's where it gets fun, aye? (NT) -- Tess, 12:20:40 07/29/09 Wed
      - Yes, indeed. If the characters didn't make questionable choices, there wouldn't be much drama in the story, hence they occasionally do things that make the reader think, 'what the heck are you thinking?' (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:17:03 07/29/09 Wed
- It was clear to me that Casey needed to get out from under Love's thumb, but I didn't like the idea at all of his being removed from his wife. I felt it would fit right into Love's plan to divide and conquer. The two of them (C & P) together are a formidable couple, but when they're apart, well, just look at what happened to Pamela whenever Casey left her in Unicorns. She's a smart gal but I think she's vulnerable when she's entirely on her own. I remember upon my first read that I wished they'd just high-tail it back to Ireland right here and now. But then Casey does want to give his wife the opportunity to thrive in her best environment, so I can sorta see his motivation. (NT) -- Elaine, 11:23:52 07/29/09 Wed
- Trust - he trusts her, especially after all they've been through he has no reason to doubt she'll keep pushing away Love's advances. In the mean time she can thrive at her job and he can get away to think and let some of the heat regarding him die down. I do wonder though (sorry jumpin ahead a bit)>>>> -- CindyS, 12:13:33 07/29/09 Wed
  - Oh I know he trusts her, but he shouldn't trust Hagerty. However, it's already been 'splained that he's in over his head & not making very good decisions. Really, for him to even think that he would be safe to just "walk away" from working for a mobster was a bit naive, in my opinion. He seemed to take the dangers of IRA more seriously than the Irish Mob. (NT) -- Tess, 12:26:20 07/29/09 Wed
    - I think part of it is that although Casey is very street-smart and knows how things work in his own environment, he doesn't fully understand how things operate here -- and really, how many of us are totally competent and understand all the nuances when we're out of our element, but not so far out that we realise just how different things are. Casey is surrounded by Irish Americans, he's on the wrong side of the law and is in a very tribal place -- not so unlike Belfast on the surface. (NT) -- Carla, 13:17:14 07/29/09 Wed
      - Yea, on the surface. Casey remarks earlier that he thought he would fit in just fine at first, but then realized that the morality of the Mafia life was at odds with his own values. Back home he had very clear cut friends and enemies; here the enemies are simply who Hagery says they are, and they may even only be people who are guilty of no more than being in Hagerty's way (such as himself). (NT) -- Tess, 13:31:40 07/29/09 Wed
        
        Yes, it's like I was mentioning the other day. Casey's being made to fight another man's war. His heart isn't in it because he doesn't own it as his own. But back in Ireland, that was his war, and his heritage, too. (NT) -- Elaine (), 14:34:01 07/29/09 Wed
- cg, thank you for that explanation up there. I think it really helps to understand Casey. Its hard when you love a character so much to see him just fumbling around like this. Mistep after mistep. He's so off his game, he's sort of lost his common sense. Poor man. (NT) -- Lil, 13:29:46 07/29/09 Wed
  - I think he needs us to go comfort him and help him forget his troubles, don't you, Nalana? (NT) -- Carla -- fanning self vigorously, 15:27:54 07/29/09 Wed
    - oh, I completely agree. He needs some extra TLC. :-) (NT) -- Lil, 17:28:56 07/29/09 Wed
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapter 5 -- Lil, 21:10:29 07/28/09 Tue [13]
Judas Kiss

In this chapter we meet Emma, a self-proclaimed whore, has befriended Casey. Emma is also an "associate" of Love.

Emma asks Casey to drive her to a place in the White Mountains to find her friend, Rosemary.

They find Rosemary, throat slit, and are forced to stay overnight because of the snow and storm.

They report the crime to the police and are let go after some serious questioning. Casey seems to be have the feeling that the other shoe may still drop in this situation.

Casey's gut is right when two weeks later Emma tells him the police are asking more questions and seem to think Casey is involved in the murder of Rosemary. She advises him to leave town.

The reader sees that Emma leaves Casey and immediately gets into a car with Love. It seems that Casey has been set up.

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Replies:
- This whole chapter gave me the shivers -- and not in the snowstorm sense. Do you think the police really were questioning Emma or did she make that up at Love's behest to get Casey to leave town? After all, if Casey was seriously a suspect, would they not have come and questioned him directly? I also wondered that Casey actually did go to the police. That he didn't click that it might be a set-up and simply leave once the storm had passed. Was he just not capable of leaving poor Rosemary's body there? I also did wonder just how worried and then furious poor Pamela was and what she had to say to her husband when he showed up on the doorstep the next afternoon. (NT) -- Carla, 05:33:00 07/29/09 Wed
- I got my book! Yay me! I started reading last night...I think I made it up to chap 18 before bedtime. I must say there are a couple of things I am chomping at the bit to dissect (and I am sure you can guess!) but will wait til we get to those chapters. As for this chapter, it seems to me to be the beginning of Casey and Pamela going down their own separate roads toward separate troubles. And yes, I do believe the whole thing was set up by Hagerty, I don't think the police were involved at all, unless they were under Hagerty's employment. (NT) -- Tess, 05:52:25 07/29/09 Wed
- Oh yeah I definitely think it was all a setup. Love will do anything to get rid of Casey and have Pamela, because ultimately she's the prize. So what better way than to through the suspicion of infidelity & murder on him. As for the police...well we know that he & Emma did report their story b/c we're told "The sheriff had been mildly skeptical, but had let them go...Thus far, Casey had heard nothing." Which leads me to think that it's just Love planting the rumor of Casey's involvement via Emma. Oh the plot does thicken...shiver (NT) -- CindyS, 07:25:09 07/29/09 Wed
  - I just wish the two of them could learn to confide in each other, because I think it might have prevented some of the things that happen in the chapters to come. I think both Casey & Pamela believe themselves to be protecting the other, but I think they were both making bad decisions to hide the separate dangers they find themselves in, particularly with regard to Hagerty's intentions toward each of them. (NT) -- Tess, 07:42:01 07/29/09 Wed
    - I couldn't agree more. (NT) -- CindyS, 07:46:58 07/29/09 Wed
- Elaine - camera info>>>> -- CindyS, 07:39:03 07/29/09 Wed
  - Wow, what a great keepsake! Even if you can't find any film for it or get it to work, it deserves an honored place on the mantel or somewhere. Thanks, CindyS. (NT) -- Elaine, 11:18:48 07/29/09 Wed
- Thank God for re-reads and discussions, even if I'm not the most active participant. I have to confess, I didn't get the whole 'set up' scheme on my first read. I understood more as the chapters went on but at this point? no clue what the plan was :-) I do remember not liking or trusting Emma in the beginning of the chapter (that was probably more jealousy...on Pamela's behalf of course *g*), like WHY does Casey have to take her, why was she not more upset at her friends death etc. At the end when she got in Love's car, I felt sorry for her - I didn't get the feeling she enjoyed (nor wanted) doing whatever Love was making her do to Casey. (NT) -- Mahri, 08:45:44 07/29/09 Wed
  - This ~is~ my first read, and when Casey & Emma showed up at the cabin & found the dead prostitute, as soon as it became clear that someone wasn't waiting in the wings to murder them as well, I figured it was some attempt at either setting up Casey or getting him out of the way for the night, for whatever reason. Seems like it would have been a better set up if dead woman had been found in Casey's trunk in a routine police stop by the locals, so perhaps it was the latter. (NT) -- Tess, 09:30:59 07/29/09 Wed
    - I meant to also add that sending Casey away like this might also have been meant to stir up suspicion in Pamela in order to drive a wedge between them. It's hard to remember what I type in this wee line, since I can't see much of what I am typing in the message. (shrug) (NT) -- Tess, 09:40:03 07/29/09 Wed
  - I thought the same thing - why is he taking her? I think that Casey's got the kindest heart and just doesn't know how to NOT help a person in need. (NT) -- Lil, 09:40:25 07/29/09 Wed
    - He's not good at saying no to someone who appears distressed like this. He did it for the right reasons, but it got him into a bad situation. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:29:55 07/29/09 Wed
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears -- Lil, 21:10:51 07/27/09 Mon [22]
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

35mm Leica camera (not sure if this the correct year though *g*)

Christmas at the Riordans - a table surrounded by Desmond, Siobhan, Pat, Pamela, Casey and a spot set in memory of both Casey's & Pamela's fathers.

Casey makes sentimental toasts to each at the table. (I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the place - to include mine! *g*)

Casey gives Pamela a newly refurbished camera for a gift. She absolutely loves it.

Later Casey and Pat have some time alone on the roof. Casey is thinking of their mother, who left them on Christmas Eve. Pat shares that he's been exchanging letters with their mother.

Casey is none too thrilled at Pat's confession, so Pat changes the subject and the boys share memories of their father and how much they miss him.

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Replies:
- I loved seeing Casey and Pamela together with their family, I really think that's a part of life that's missing for them in Boston, especially Casey. Even without his parents, he's used to having other people in his life who've known him forever and care about him deeply. I know things are strained between he and Pat, but I just feel they both are more complete when they're in the same sphere. (NT) -- Carla, 05:25:46 07/28/09 Tue
- I am SO jealous of Pamela. What I would give to have a Leica. They're just awesome for b&w. But $4000 is out of my reach for a camera. (NT) -- Elaine, 07:19:12 07/28/09 Tue
  - DH has a small camera in a box that he inherited from a grandparent. I'll have to ask him where it is..just to satisfy my curiosity. (NT) -- CindyS, 08:34:20 07/28/09 Tue
    - I'm curious, too, CindyS. (NT) -- Elaine, 11:59:14 07/28/09 Tue
- I thought it was kind of cute how nervous Casey was over his family coming. I just don't picture him like that so it's nice to see these sides of him. I do think it's harder than he expect to try and be happy for Pamela. He wants so bad for her to feel safe and at home, even at the risk of his own happiness. Loved the tribute of the empty chair for their fathers - very touching. The only thing I've ever seen close to that is at Passover. This did make me realize that all our main characters are motherless. I have some thoughts on this but maybe I'm way off>>>> -- CindyS, 08:33:16 07/28/09 Tue
  - That certainly resonate for me, Cindy. Also, all of them are orphans and are struggling with their father's legacies: Jamie with his dad's history of depression and public service, Pat & Casey with their dad's (and his family's) service to the cause of Northern Ireland's freedom. (NT) -- Carla, 09:09:41 07/28/09 Tue
    - I didn't pick up on that theme the first time around so on the re-read for me, that was an 'a-ha moment' for me and added more to their stories. (NT) -- Tracy, 11:09:13 07/28/09 Tue
- I think the depth of Casey's sadness is reflected in his moments of solitude. Whether conversing with a gull or standing alone on a snowy rooftop, he seems to seek time alone to allow his pain an outlet. He cannot turn to Pamela with his burden because while he struggles in this new land, she is blossoming. (NT) -- Sallie, 08:54:35 07/28/09 Tue
  - yes Sallie, which I think makes it all the harder for him (NT) -- CindyS, 09:56:51 07/28/09 Tue
  - This was part of my thinking (as I remember it) that he can't really confide these things in Pamela, because now he's living in her world and he doesn't want to ruin that in any way for her, just because he is having a hard time finding his place in it. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:28:33 07/28/09 Tue
    - When at the beginning he just realizes that she is truly in her element I also wondered if he thought she had been better suited for Jamie's world than his? (NT) -- CindyS, 14:05:54 07/28/09 Tue
      - I think Casey often feels that way. At some point in 'Angels' he says to her that she really was raised to marry a man like Jamie, not like himself. Well, here's a brief snippet of that piece- she's been telling him about sailing with the senator from Mass. who later became President and the snippet starts right after that>>> -- celtgirl (), 14:27:44 07/28/09 Tue
        
        BTW in case anyone is worried about spoilers, I got rid of the one that was in there, before I posted the snippet. (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:36:25 07/28/09 Tue
        What a heartfelt scene, Cindy. There is such depth and poetry to Casey, which is something else I've seen in his moments of solitude. (And yes, this coming from a Jamie girl!) :) (NT) -- Sallie, 15:15:58 07/28/09 Tue
        Sweet. I can certainly picture a young Pamela with the Kennedy clan. (NT) -- Elaine, 15:59:48 07/28/09 Tue
        I think it's inevitable that Casey would feel he'd taken Pamela away from her "proper" place in the world, but we have to remember that she was a dollar a dance girl at a seedy pub when she left America the first time and all her father's wealth was gone. She may have fit into that world on the surface, but without her father's money not many would have accepted her as a wife, IMHO, despite her beauty, charm and grace. There is a lovely poetry to their feelings for each other. (NT) -- Carla, 16:52:12 07/28/09 Tue
        
        I agree with you, Carla. Hard not to see Pamela without thinking of that 'dollar a dance' girl that attempted to dance her way into Jamie's bed that night. And besides, in her letter she wrote to Jamie at the end of EU, she told him that she was more like Casey and Pat than he knew. So whatever Casey thinks about taking her from a bette world to which she belongs, I don't think she really feels that way. (NT) -- Tess, 08:16:01 07/29/09 Wed
        
        Awwww - that's a nice one :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 16:54:17 07/28/09 Tue
        swoon...ahh to have such a love (NT) -- CindyS, 07:45:53 07/29/09 Wed
        sweet pillow talk there. Love that! (NT) -- Lil, 09:25:53 07/29/09 Wed
- I was so happy that Pamela decided to make the invitations so that they could be surrounded by family at Christmas. I think Casey and Pat are better when they are close by each other. I know Casey wanted Pamela to be happy and so took her to America even though it wasn't home for him. One has to be strong to do that and to perservere because it's not easy living somewhere that you just dont fit in completely or know that it's not your home. Making such a move could either make or break a relationship. (NT) -- Tracy, 10:30:54 07/28/09 Tue
I just read Exit Unicorns over the weekend...unfortunately missed the book discussion on this one. I am trying to avoid the Mermaid discussions so as not to encounter any spoilers...got that one on order to be delivered any day now. I thoroughly enjoyed Exit. Beyond the well fleshed out characters, and something I haven't seen in a while, an excellent love triangle, it's a fine depiction of the dark side of the human condition....what atrocities people will commit upon others. I hope it is ok to post this in the midst of the Book 2 discussion. I just hadda talk about it a little.... -- Tess, 10:38:48 07/27/09 Mon [18]
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Replies:
- Welcome Tess and your post is just fine. It's great to hear your thoughts on EU. Where are you from? (NT) -- Tracy, 11:14:27 07/27/09 Mon
  - Hi Tracy, thanks for the welcome. I am from the Southeastern part of the US...Alabama. I spent the last 2 yrs studying & reading in planning for my trip to Scotland, May 2009. Now we are thinking about a trip to Ireland in 2011. I really have known nothing much about the country, and historical fiction is a fun way to begin to get your feet wet when trying to learn about the history & culture of a place. (NT) -- Tess, 11:58:07 07/27/09 Mon
- Of course you're welcome to post about it! Welcome, Tess. We hope you'll get Mermaid really quickly and can join in on the discussion. (NT) -- Lil, 11:27:03 07/27/09 Mon
  - Well, I think I paid standard shipping, so I should get it by the weekend. How fast are you making it through the chapters? I did scroll back through some of the EU discussions, just to see what sorts of insights others have into the story. And thank you for the welcome (NT) -- Tess, 12:01:52 07/27/09 Mon
    - Tess, We will be through Chapter 11 by this weekend. This is a re-read for most in the group, so we are covering larger sections at a time. I think Carla has the full schedule so maybe she can post it for you? (NT) -- Lil, 17:59:23 07/27/09 Mon
- Hi Tess- and a big welcome to you! I'm Cindy, of course, the one who wrote the doorstoppers. :) We'd love to have you join in, once you're ready- I can't remember the schedule, but we don't finish up until just before we all leave for Ireland in mid-September, so I've no doubt you'll be able to join in for a good chunk of the discussion. Again welcome to you and feel free to ask any questions you like- I do my best to answer whatever I can. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:06:07 07/27/09 Mon
  - Hi Cindy, and thank you for the warm welcome! Congratulations on producing an excellent story. I look forward to more of the story in book 2, and will try to jump in when I have at least caught up with everyone. So you are making a group trip to Ireland in the fall...I look forward to hearing the accounts of the trip. As I mentioned before, it is looking like Ireland will be the next big trip for us, and I am wide open about what to do & where to go. What is the progress on the 3rd installment in the series? (NT) -- Tess, 13:08:41 07/27/09 Mon
    - The progress on the third book- I think that depends on the day you ask. :) It's coming together, but at this point it's such a mess of bits and pieces, some chapters done, others not, that I despair of it growing up to become a novel that makes any sense at all. But I've felt this way about the last two books as well, and I managed with those, so I'm sure at some point this one will come together. I am hoping to have the first draft done within the next eight months or so. After that it goes to a circle of readers and I start re-writes from their patient notes and insertions. I know I have at least one of them on board from the last manuscript, and am hoping to bribe/wheedle/beg the other two into helping me with this one. Ireland is every bit as beautiful as people say it is. You'll have a fantastic time- the people are very friendly and always willing to help point you in interesting directions for things to see and do. (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:43:33 07/27/09 Mon
      - Thanks for the info...I've lately become quite a series girl, so I am glad to know that you are working on a 3rd. It's interesting that you use beta readers. (NT) -- Tess, 17:37:33 07/27/09 Mon
        
        My beta readers are hugely important to me. There is just so much you miss as the writer of the work, I've been over it so many times by then that I see what I think ought to be there on the page, rather than what is. My brain seems to just automatically supply the correct phrasing and so then I think it's there. Plus it takes a long time for a book to detach itself from the author's liver, as another writer friend of mine put it- so sometimes things don't flow as well as they should, but I simply can't see it. (NT) -- celtgirl, 18:08:05 07/27/09 Mon
        
        Oh and Beta readers- because a couple of you are here- just let me know what it will take to bribe you this time round. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 18:25:11 07/27/09 Mon
        
        I don't know if I'm in the beta reader group, but I'll do anything for a night with Casey ;) (NT) -- Carla, 21:29:05 07/27/09 Mon
        
        Yes, you're one of my Betas, girl. You always help me bring the bones of the story up to the surface, so much better than I could possibly manage on my own. Lee already e-mailed me and said she's ready whenever I am. I also got an e-mail from another willing victim tonight, that I can put on my list. In all truthfulness, you can't imagine how grateful I am that you all are willing to do this for me. (NT) -- celtgirl (), 21:38:05 07/27/09 Mon
        
        Well, it's a huge sacrifice but I'm willing to put myself out there solely from love and friendship for yourself. It has nothing to do with getting a sneak peek at the next book or spending time with the Riordans and his Lordship. Selfless, that's what I am purely selfless :) (NT) -- Carla, 05:27:20 07/28/09 Tue
        
        Hehehe you make me laugh! (NT) -- Tracy, 06:49:32 07/28/09 Tue
- Hi Tess, and welcome to the Cottage. As you can probably already see where a friendly group. Please join in when you've caught up and feel free to ask any questions you might have in the meantime. Are you a Casey, Jamie or Pat girl? (NT) -- Carla, 14:18:26 07/27/09 Mon
  - I dunno...can I love two men at once? (grin) Having only read the 1st book, I don't think I have a "mature" opinion yet of either man. However, by the end of EU, I am of the opinion that Jamie still has a bit of work to do before he's in a mental position to be ready for another relationship...although he was definitely moving forward. One thing that surprised me at the end was knowing, not that the Reverend was the bad guy, but that he targeted Pamela specifically because of her relationship with Jamie. One would assume she was targeted because of Casey. However, Jamie is a bigger fish in the larger picture of things. Knowing his relationship with Pamela was what caused her brutal attack can't help but have a major impact on Jamie...looking foreward to seeing how that plays out in the next book. (NT) -- Tess, 17:45:42 07/27/09 Mon
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapter 3 -- Lil, 09:19:48 07/27/09 Mon [7]
Agent Gus

Street on Beacon Hill

This is a short chapter in which we are introduced to Federal Agent Gus.

While consumed in his thoughts about getting his house in order before Desmond comes for Christmas, Casey realizes he's being followed, again, by Agent Gus.

The conversation they have, after Agent Gus surprises Casey by "...poppin' up like a friggin' jack-in-the-box." (pg 24), leads us to believe that Casey's been avoiding Agent Gus. Apparently the agent is looking for Casey to pass information and evidence against Love. Casey refuses.

Q. What did you think about Casey staying away from the Agent and not getting invovled in turning over evidence to the Feds?

Q. Cindy (via Casey) describes Agent Gus as "short, slightly pudgy...with a disarming smile and crew cut" (pg 24). What were your first impressions of Agent Gus?

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Replies:
- After growing up in an IRA family and spending time in prison I can't imagine Casey would have much trust, liking or interest in the powers that be, even if he doesn't have much of any of those things for Love either. I have to say I thought Gus a little out of his depth at first. (NT) -- Carla, 14:20:27 07/27/09 Mon
- Casey isn't going to trust anyone in that sort of authority- the truth is in many of the stories I've read, people who cooperated with the FBI, or in Ireland with MI-6 etc, generally got pretty badly burned and often lost their lives because they weren't adequately protected after the fact. Casey isn't built to be an informant. (NT) -- celtgirl, 16:57:38 07/27/09 Mon
- I posed question one because I was actually relieved that he didn't become an informant. *g* Usually I'd say go on the side of the law and justice, but with Love, something in me said "find another sucker, I want Casey to live!" *g* Unfortunately we see Agent Gus is much more persuasive in a later chapter. :-( and my first impression of Agent Gus was that he was a little out of his league with Casey. Somehow he didn't have that seriousness that I would have expected to be working on the Love Hagerty case. Does that make sense? (NT) -- Lil, 18:02:56 07/27/09 Mon
  - Yes, it totally makes sense. RICO was just starting then though, so cracking down on organized crime was new. Also I kept getting the vision of a Mormon missionary in my head every time Agent Gus popped up on the page. One of the real FBI agents that was assigned to take down Whitey Bulger, actually had dinner with Whitey on a regular basis, he got so glamourized by the man. (NT) -- celtgirl, 18:05:41 07/27/09 Mon
  - Gus certainly left that impression with me at first, too, Lil, so it makes perfect sense. (NT) -- Carla, 18:06:56 07/27/09 Mon
- Well, Agent Gus was sure no Eliot Ness. I don't usually trust the G-Men, and like Lil, was happier that Casey didn't accept the invitation. I figured he'd either be dead meat or in the witness protection program at some point. Isn't that just a cool acronym, RICO? I like it. Almost as much as typing 'queue.' (NT) -- Elaine, 19:50:32 07/27/09 Mon
Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears, Chapter 2 -- Lil, 12:36:34 07/26/09 Sun [10]
True Love

A little Southie Pride - found this on a MySpace page in which Boondock Saints was also prominently quoted. *g*

In this chapter we learn more about South Boston and Love.

Love enjoys walking his old neighborhood, City Point.

We see again that Blackie conducts Love's dirty work, but it's Love you don't cross. Even the police can't protect you.

Loved this insightful quote: "Because the Irish charm and good looks were only a surface veneer, something far colder and uglier lay beneath the skin." (pg 19)

Love finds that Casey is not what he expected out of a former IRA leader. Casey is also a temporary impedement to what Love wants (and believes he deserves)...Pamela.

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Replies:
- As usual my small, sick self really enjoyed writing the parts with the bad guy, well I enjoy all of it- but I get a little adrenaline kick when the villain is on the scene. Love was so smooth that I never really got attached to him though, unlike Robin. Yes, I am a sick puppy. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 19:07:48 07/26/09 Sun
- Love started to scare me and on a different level in this book. The quote above is perfect. I did picture him older and chubbier as well - have no idea why but that pic below is haunting, especially the eyes. (NT) -- Tracy, 05:39:41 07/27/09 Mon
- Love's idea of what an "IRA leader" should be capable and willing to do reminds me of a recent quote from an actor (his name escapes me) who was in the movie "50 Dead Men Walking" about an IRA turncoat who spied for the British Army during the Troubles. The actor said the IRA men whom he met with and who advised them on the film were some of the nicest people he'd ever met. We tend to have this image of these men as cold-blooded, amoral killers, but they did what they did for a reason. Some, I'm sure, are more extreme and amoral than others, but many I suspect were like Casey -- good men fighting for the freedom and rights of their families, friends and country. (NT) -- Carla, 05:48:11 07/27/09 Mon
- Casey's got no beef with Love's enemies. That makes a big difference. In Ireland, Casey's fight was against a very clear-cut enemy that had been oppressing his people for centuries. It would be really hard to be a thug in someone else's war. I despise Love and his level of authority. Another one of your many intriguing characters, Cindy. (NT) -- Elaine, 08:32:31 07/27/09 Mon
- I get the feeling that Love doesn't like Casey because he's not digging for more. I think he expected Casey to be more involved, more "on board" and want to get more of the action. Sounds like Casey is quietly doing his job and not looking for a big job with Love. It also doesn't help that Casey has the love of the one possession he's looking for, Pamela. (NT) -- Lil, 09:10:59 07/27/09 Mon
  - I agree Lil. I thought Love was hoping Casey would become mroe involved or become a heavy hitter and perhaps even his right hand and then when he had control over Casey, he would destroy him and steal away Pamela. (NT) -- Tracy, 11:16:39 07/27/09 Mon

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