I was very much surprised at the violence at the end of this book. I knew Charlie was emotionally drained, but the physical violence was almost a bit much. Any thoughts by anyone else?

Hmm, I was a little startled by the violence but didn't think it was over the top...it was quite unexpected for sure!

Could one say that the suitcase with the knives was foreshadowing the violence to come?

Could one say that the suitcase with the knives was foreshadowing the violence to come?

I was surprised by the violence and the wife beating, intimidation and being help hostage. The end I thought was much less violent.

John, you have a point. Although I didn't think any of it was out of character...

I do think that the suitcase full of knives was a forshadowing and he was using the knives in a less and less meticulus way as the tension built. He was using less and less care leading up to the complete loss of control. But this is hindsight.............I did not see the ending coming and was surprised..........also a bit upset about it even though it was apparent that there was no way out.

I hated to see Charlie losing total control. He affected so many lives negatively in the end.

The knives were mentioned often enough, that I knew something was going to happen with them. But, I was totally shocked at what did happen at the end.