Olivia expects to be fired any minute, and in truth Merritt doesn’t seem very supportive. What did you think of Olivia as a detective? What strengths did you see, and what weaknesses? Do you agree with Merritt’s “final grade of C plus”? (p.378)

BookBrowse Book Club The World's Greatest Detective & Her Just OK Asst
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Olivia expects to be fired any minute, and in truth Merritt doesn’t seem very supportive. What did you think of Olivia as a detective? What strengths did you see, and what weaknesses? Do you think she was, indeed, “just okay”? Do you agree with Merritt’s “final grade of C plus”? (p.378)

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I thought Olivia for her first attempts at sleuthing did a good job. She was always looking for clues and tie-ins. I thought Merritt was a bit harsh - but that was a good foil to Olivia’s attempts because it helped her develop her skills. I’d have given her a B-

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I did like Merritt’s retort that “your generation has been overpraised” and that “a C is basic competence with a plus for hope”. I would agree that she certainly was “learning on the job’ - something we knew right from the beginning so I think it is probably a fair grade. But I could relate to Olivia’s need to feel that she had done better.

4

I’d have given her a B. I think Olivia was working hard at making connections and was learning as the case progressed. I thought Merritt needed to be much more supportive.

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I agree with Merritt’s grade. Olivia was lucky to get out of her first case alive and she did make multiple mistakes. one of the elements that didn’t ring true to me was the independence that Merritt gave Olivia as they were solving the case. I would have thought that a world class detective would have a tighter rein on her assistant.

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I agree with Catherine on her observations about Olivia. Olivia annoyed me a little at times in some of the actions she took.

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I thought Olivia was a quick study and her enthusiasm was a bonus. I felt Merritt was too critical of her. Merritt reminded me of several female bosses I’ve had; I am SO grateful to be retired!

8

I thought Olivia did great, given that she was new and barely mentored. She had good insights, even if she did jump to many conclusions a bit quickly.

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I agree with Merritt, Olivia often made quick judgments and didn’t take the time to really think through the pros and cons of her actions. But then again perhaps that really is due to their age differences. As a person closer to Merritt’s age than Olivia’s. I find myself often not as brave as I might have been when I was younger. With time and patience Merritt can crave a rather good detective out of Olivia.