oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,258
|
Post by oldhickory on May 17, 2010 1:24:10 GMT -5
i don't remember the part about "she'll be coming around the mountain" on the harmonica, but i laughed out loud reading about it here. can you imagine coming home from work after a long day and hearing some dumb neighborhood kid doing that? i definitely have to reread this book.
|
|
|
Post by virgoscorpio on May 28, 2011 20:05:33 GMT -5
I didn't like this one as much as I thought I would have .... I read it before but maybe I had the wrong idea about the book. I did like how Abby was constantly sick in this one -- because it makes sense based on her allergies.
Also, I think Abby lucked out because by the time she goes back to school, school would be almost finished for the year.
|
|
|
Post by zoar3 on Aug 20, 2011 11:34:25 GMT -5
I still enjoy reading this book. Maybe because it's less melancholy than "Haunted Bookstore," much more enjoyable than "Mystery in the Painting," and reads/ better than a lot of the other older books of all types. Even though Abby is on the bottom of my "favorite" sitter list, she's likable in this and it was nice to see most of the interactions was between her and Kristy as opposed to the entire club doing a stakeout or something, I'm thinking that helped make it a little more believable. Sgt. Johnson still sounds very hot but not too bright. I "loved" that the day before Mr. Finch is caught Abby is still sick and feeling bad but once he is captured, suddenly she's "fine." I wish it worked that way! I know she saw her doctor initially (which was surprising for a BSC member...thinking Mal) but to never see him a second time when a week later she's still not much improved made no sense. Yes, I did have bronchitis (no allergies or asthma) a few times as a young kid and it was not fun at all. The subplot was brand-new so points for that, too.
|
|
|
Post by wiggir13 on Aug 20, 2011 13:50:55 GMT -5
I liked this one! I normally scan the chapter 2's but I find it interesting in this one that Abby says she likes Kristy but doesn't know if they can ever be best friends b/c they are too alike. I wish she and Kristy would be better friends. I liked reading about them hanging out together.
I super love Rear Window and was happy to see it mentioned!
|
|
|
Post by zoar3 on Aug 20, 2011 14:55:37 GMT -5
I still don't think they are "too alike." Yes both are athletic and into sports/fitness. Both of them can be loud and domineering as well as take charge. And, I guess they both have dark brown hair. Maybe it's the "Kristy" fan (Abby, generally non fan) in me. I see Kristy as someone who is fiercely interested in kids, family, friends, making all A's at school, the BSC, etc (people and doggies) whereas Abby in a way is more of a loner, though she most definitely thrives on being the center of attention.
The only "bad" thing about this book, is that "MA and the Playground Fight" is next. Gulp, that means Dawn! I had totally forgotten about that and just when we thought she was gone. Oh well.
|
|
|
Post by wiggir13 on Aug 20, 2011 17:28:12 GMT -5
Noooooo...nooooooo...I can't continue this reread!
|
|
|
Post by zoar3 on Aug 20, 2011 17:46:19 GMT -5
^Better idea is to re-read this book again insted. I'm halfway through "Playground" and let's just say this book was a masterpiece in comparison.
I forgot to say earlier that I wish we had gotten to eavesdrop a little on Anna and Mrs. Stevenson's convo as they made dinner. Both characters were rarely heard from, certainly not in terms of spending time together so that would have been nice. Secondly, I wonder if MA had been more involved in this book if Grandma Verna would have been mentioned at all since the Maguires were from Des Moines.
|
|
|
Post by virgoscorpio on Apr 5, 2012 23:12:06 GMT -5
This book will always remind me of sickness + grass cutting.
So I like the details on new covert art but I'm annoyed by the placement of the window and the fact that it portrays Abby as living in a one-story house. But I can ignore that.
One thing I was interested in this time around was Kristy's response to Abby's mystery. She doesn't believe her and just goes along with it to flatter her, in a way. I felt this was a good indication of Kristy's attitude towards Abby. I'm sure that if it had been another character with the mystery, Kristy would have been eager to participate. In fact, in most other mysteries they're so eager to figure it out (and this was when they've had even less clues to go on!)
Also, for a quick second I thought that Otto was going to be the "twin" of the scam artist. But then I realized that was in *another* BSC book.
|
|
|
Post by zoar3 on Apr 6, 2012 15:07:19 GMT -5
^I was actually surprised Abby and Kristy kept their "secret" for so long. Usually one of the girls would be jumping to fill the others in on her "big news." It's too bad Shannon wasn't apart of this book. It could have been interesting to read a storyline that focused primarily (like Christmas Chiller did in parts) on Kristy's neighborhood and neighbors. IDK, this is still one of my favorites simply because it provides a good laugh and Abby is tolerable. The other thing is I was always surprised Stacey blatantly rooted against "The Glory Girls" (Charlotte's team) for the derby race. A moment where Stacey explained to Char that she (S) was hoping Nicky would succeed in face of his brothers would have been nice. But then, since I never felt the two girls were "almost sisters" perhaps this is one more reason why not. I just could see Charlotte being even a teeny bit suprised and hurt that Stacey wasn't cheering her on.
|
|
|
Post by virgoscorpio on Apr 6, 2012 15:15:53 GMT -5
^ Didn't you really want to know who that boys was that was going past Shannon's house? I, too, would have to learn more than that. I think it would have made more sense to have Shannon be more part of this book - than others - because all of the action was in her neigbhourhood, too. She could have helped Kristy search Finch's house (but that reminds me of her, MA and Logan in Christmas Chiller getting caught in the house).
One thing I liked about Abby was how she couldn't sit still. I respect for boundless energy because it's something I don't have. She inspires me to go out and run. Although I would rather run in a city like Stoneybrook than the downtown of a major city. I'm getting a bike soon though!
Anyway, I was also disappointed in the speedy ending. Chapter 15 was really heavy. They could have stretched it out a bit more. Also, did you notice how none of them really had any contact with Finch whatsoever? Besides the phone call. Maybe because he was seen as being "too dangerous" and they didn't want to show the characters personally in contact with such a dangerous man for fear that kids would follow suit?
|
|
|
Post by zoar3 on Apr 6, 2012 20:24:28 GMT -5
^If he was "too dangerous" than what was Reinhart (sp) Golem?! Eek. I do see your point, though. The ending was rather disjointed. One second Abby is trying to get hold of Sgt. Johnson (after Kristy confirms their suspicions) only to be told he's not "in." The next minute, A and K are going crazy out of their minds as Marilyn (it was Marilyn, right) might say worrying over how they possibly could stop Finch. Just as all hope is lost, the police arrive and of course, Finch immediately gives up. I just re-read and Abby never even tells her mom or Anna whatr happened. The Mystery Trackers intern, Amy Shapiro, sure never consulted Mrs. Stevenson or suggested that Abby fill in her mom. IDK, I didn't see Otto Finch as "dangerous" just as heartless, perhaps? Maybe that was the difference? In any case, I would not have minded an extra "5 minutes" to the story. ETA: I never thought about the fact that the cover totally looks like Abby and Finch live in one story houses. I wonder if that mistake was "purposely" made so Abby could better spy? No matter how good her binoculars were, looking straight across at the yard right there is much easier than looking a story downward.
|
|
|
Post by virgoscorpio on Apr 6, 2012 23:32:59 GMT -5
^ I agree with you on the last part. I thought it was drawn like that so we would have a better perspective on the scene, as a viewer. It would have been more difficult to draw Abby looking down from a 2nd story window because the person (Finch) would have looked so teeny tiny. Abby and Finch never actually come in contact.
I liked the mentioning of Rear Window even though I've never seen the film.
Also, I couldn't help but think of Karen Brewer the entire time reading this because she always gets in trouble for spying on the neighbours, so much so that there's a "no spying" rule at their house!
|
|
|
Post by anzuhana on Apr 7, 2012 8:29:51 GMT -5
Maybe Golem was meant to show the BSC that they shouldn't solve any more mysteries because they might encounter someone like him again and it might be worse than the encounter with Golem.
|
|
|
Post by zoar3 on Apr 7, 2012 11:45:55 GMT -5
^It was (almost very much so) worse in SM#2! That Woodie Tate almost killed a few members. I think by then Ann and Co knew the series was ending (either that or maybe some parents did complain) and decided to end things. I mean what would be a cooler feat than single-handedly capturing an international crook while simultaneously clearing the name of a beloved Police Officer? From there, even in Stoneybrook the sensationalism was over. Next would have been a sitter arresting a suspect? Going undercover? (I don't mean the way Dawn did, either) As I said, even the ghosties realized enough was enough. Given the ginormous gap between the Gardellas (Mystery #1) and Golem, I don't think the writers (at this point) could have feasibly gone back to more believable tales. Maybe this ending was their tiny way of admitting they had made a mistake in taking things as far as they did. I doubt it but its a nice thought anyway.
|
|
|
Post by booboobrewer on Apr 7, 2012 15:53:44 GMT -5
virgo, see Rear Window! It's great. Have you seen any other Hitchcock films?
|
|