Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Discussion topic for chapters 13-24 of Ann Cleeves's Raven Black.
If the first to post, please briefly summarize to drive the discussion.
Spoilers are Welcome on this topic.

Chapters 13-24
We learn more about the residents of Shetland; only a few hundred people and an insular society full of secrets.
Jimmy Perez, the local police Inspector, waits for the forensic team and the police team flying in to run the investigation. He hears the rumors that Magnus Tate murdered Catherine (and must have murdered Catriona years ago) but keeps an open mind.
Roy Taylor, the lead Inspector, in from Inverness is eager to solve the case.
Sally finds school after Catherine's death unbearable; Jimmy Perez asks anyone at school for information about Catherine. A teacher confesses he had Catherine over to his home for wine and had kissed her. Fran's ex-husband Duncan admits Catherine came to a party at his house, and Robert Ibisher (the young man Sally likes) wonders what the police know.
There is history between Jimmy Perez and Duncan Hunter. Magus worries about when the police will come for him. If Catherine was a virgin, what are these men worried about?

I loved when Jimmy Perez was thinking he was just too soft because he pitied Magnus so much, whether he was a murderer or not. What a wonderful character. Don't care for Duncan at all, but not sure I see him as a murderer.

Bonnie: Yes! Jimmy comes across as a kind and open-minded person. The parents so far do not impress me at all with their parenting skills - with the exception of Fran. The list of suspects based on actions (or inaction) is pretty large, but muddy. Duncan seems a bit less likely than some.

Bonnie wrote: "I loved when Jimmy Perez was thinking he was just too soft because he pitied Magnus so much, whether he was a murderer or not. What a wonderful character. Don't care for Duncan at all, but not sure..."

Catherine sure got around! And she definitely made an impression on quite a few of the men of the town. I was very surprised she was still a virgin!

I was also surprised that we found out who the driver was on New Year’s Eve and then that was dropped. Or maybe I missed something?

This section does make it seem that Duncan may be involved in some way. Or Robert. But that does seem too obvious. I keep thinking about a comment Sally made about her father touching her in a longing way. Does her father have a thing for young girls?

I am also liking Perez. I’m glad we are getting more background on him and his relationship with Duncan.

I wondered about Magnus's mom on the first little girl, but she's dead so it would have to be someone else if they were both the same person.

Geri: Yes! Catherine did make quite an impression. She was more mature or seemed to be doing more mature things than appropriate for her and Sally's age. I'm sounding old I suppose by saying that.

I wondered about Sally's father too. It seems like a stretch but who knows. The home life for either Sally or Catherine was not ideal and they were out where they both came in contact with older men.

It was also pointed out that both Catriona and now Catherine were outgoing girls with a bit of impertinent attitudes or sassy natures. Someone may not have liked that in both girls.

Geri wrote: "Catherine sure got around! And she definitely made an impression on quite a few of the men of the town. I was very surprised she was still a virgin!
This section does make it seem that Duncan may be involved in some way. Or Robert. But that does seem too obvious. I keep thinking about a comment Sally made about her father touching her in a longing way. Does her father have a thing for young girls?."

Bonnie That hadn't occurred to me; interesting you wondered about Magnus's Mom. I suppose I was like the neighbors and it did seem as if the first disappearance might be tied in with Catherine's murder. Though I was not convinced it was Magnus.

Bonnie wrote: "I wondered about Magnus's mom on the first little girl, but she's dead so it would have to be someone else if they were both the same person."

Bonnie wrote: "I wondered about Magnus's mom on the first little girl, but she's dead so it would have to be someone else if they were both the same person."

Yes, it is curious what Magnus’ mom did not want him to say! I could see what you are saying. That she did something to Catriona and Magnus witnessed it.

Geri and Bonnie - I didn't think of it at the time, assuming Magnus's Mom was afraid for what he had done or his inability to express himself … but she could have wanted him to keep quiet! Excellent callout!
I keep picturing Magnus's apparently eerie and inappropriately timed smile.

Geri wrote: "Yes, it is curious what Magnus’ mom did not want him to say! I could see what you are saying. That she did something to Catriona and Magnus witnessed it."

Bonnie wrote: "I wondered about Magnus's mom on the first little girl, but she's dead so it would have to be someone else if they were both the same person."

Bonnie wrote: "I loved when Jimmy Perez was thinking he was just too soft because he pitied Magnus so much, whether he was a murderer or not. What a wonderful character. Don't care for Duncan at all, but not sure..."

I Didn't like Duncan. Something was up with him. Didn't trust him. I think they want you to think it's Magnus by the way he acts but I don't think it's him either. Jimmy he seems okay. He knows what he's doing.
I thought it was strange they kept her body out there for so many days.

Ann wrote: "Bonnie: Yes! Jimmy comes across as a kind and open-minded person. The parents so far do not impress me at all with their parenting skills - with the exception of Fran. The list of suspects based on..."

I agree about the parents. Or her father at least. Sally's parents are another story all together. I like Fran.
I was very surprised she was a virgin. Just by how she acted. Jimmy only mentioned one more time about the driver maybe he asked Duncan if he knew him or something. Robert bought up some questions with me. Whether he had something to do with it. Yes Sally's father was strange too. my way of thinking it's someone you don't expect. When they kept going back to Magnus with him mom saying don't tell them. I was thinking the same thing that he and his mom had something to do with the first girl. Or they were keeping a secret for someone else.
Not sure what I'm thinking of this book yet. it's on the slow moving side. i was determined to get this far today so I could comment.

DJ: That surprised me too. It seemed at the least, insensitive to the people around the site of the murder, and downright cruel to her father to leave Catherine in situ for so long. It may have been in this segment, or the next when Jimmy asked, I think the Medical Examiner, if she could speed up the process before the kids walked by on their way to school. It was quite disturbing for the residents.

Donnajo wrote: "I thought it was strange they kept her body out there for so many days..."

I think I remembered him saying that too.