Hi, Everyone!

This week we are talking about "Strangers in Death," Nora's homage to "Strangers on a Train." It's an interesting book with some really great character interactions.

AJ suggests that the main theme for this book is "payback." Paying back a debt, or owing someone for services rendered. The main murder mystery is definitely a "payback" situation, but also, we see Tiko in this book, who gives Eve a tip about some thieves who are running a wallet/purse theft and identity theft operation. In payment for that, Eve arranges for Tiko to get a reward. Then to pay Eve back for the reward, Tiko's grandmother gives Eve a pie.

This theme also plays out in the very short argument that Eve and Roarke have over money. Roarke doesn't understand why Eve doesn't ask him for money when she's short, and Eve tries to explain that she would feel in debt to him, and that she would need to pay him back.

Our villain here is Ava Anders who is a complete b*tch. Eve doesn't like Ava from the very beginning...mostly because Ava reminds Eve of "Magdabitch" and sees her takedown of Ava as almost a payback by proxy for Magdalena.

Some really fantastic banter between Eve and Peabody and Eve and Roarke. Feeney is sick and being a drama queen, Baxter has a really tough case going cold, and is a bit sad when they find out who's behind not only Eve's case but his.

Also: CHARLES AND LOUISE GET ENGAGED!!