What do you think of the author’s choice to use first-person narration, setting the plot entirely from Olivia’s perspective? What might have been different if it had included other perspectives, or if the novel had been written in the third person?

BookBrowse Book Club The World's Greatest Detective & Her Just OK Asst
1

What do you think of the author’s choice to use first-person narration, and to set the plot entirely from Olivia’s point of view? How might the book have been different if it had included Merritt’s perspective, or if the novel had been written in the third person?

2

I think it was a good idea to give Olivia the narration. The title supports that - she’s just okay - and I think the author wanted the reader to decide if she was just okay. If Merritt had narrated it, I think some of the humor in the book would have been lost. Ditto to 3rd person narration. This seemed to me to be a character driven book so a character should narrate it.

3

The first person narrative from Olivia’s Point of View was good for world building and setting up the series but I do think the story could benefit from Merritt’s point of view as well and hope as the series goes along the authors includes it.

4

I liked that Olivia had the narrative for the story.

5

I hope there is a sequel for this story. I want to know more about Merritt. In the story, why didn’t she answer her phone when Olivia needed to get in touch with her? What about the phone call she got and went into another room to talk? The book left out many details about Merritt. I wanted to know more about her.

6

I’ve been thinking about this question and go back and forth on my opinion. I did enjoy having the story told by Olivia, the “just okay assistant”. But I also kept wishing that I knew more about what Merrit was thinking. That probably would have increased my interest throughout the story. I would not have wanted it written in the third person.