A
male
age
,
anonymous
writes:I just found out that my wife of 5 years, a caring gentle woman in her 70"s, has been reading John Stanford books about violence, sex and murder. Should I be worried?
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (24 April 2020): For heaven's sake. I've read all of John Sanford, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Raymond Chandler, etc etc books. I read them for enjoyment and I've never murdered or thought of murdering anyone.
Get a grip. You're safe.
A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (23 April 2020):
 Why would you be worried ? Are you afraid that because of reading these books, she'll go on a rampage and bring death and destruction in her wake ?'...
Very improbable, to say the least.
If readers were really so influenceable, every woman who reads " Madame Bovary " or "Lady Chatterley's lover" would pass immediately to begin a tryst behind her husband's back.
And all the mystery buffs , the tons of people who love Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, Ellery Queen etc...would immediately start plotting ingenious murders, committed preferably using unusual antique weapons ,or little known oriental poisons.
Most people, luckily, feel and know that ..it's just a book. A story, not real life . And ,finished the book, they would merrily carry on their usual activities without any major , radical personality shift.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (22 April 2020): are there other reasons that you are not mentioning?
I enjoy reading cowboy books but I have no desire to become a cowboy
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (21 April 2020):
 I don't think so.
I think books like this is like a puzzle for the reader. We hear about the crime and how it is possibly solved.
How do you know she hasn't read other book in that genre before? She might have.
She might also be enjoying his writing style, I know there are certain authors I enjoy (regardless of genre) and will go look for ALL their books. And I have read classic that were just SO boring and I never understood how it became a classic. But other I have met and talked to loved that book.
Reading books about crime, violence will not make her the next Lizzie Borden.
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A
female
reader, Ciar  +, writes (21 April 2020):
 No, you should not.
The fact that Mr. Sandford is a prize winning author means that many others read, and apparently enjoy, his books.
Consider all the books and documentaries about WWII and the Nazis, about past crimes-solved and unsolved. This means millions of peaceful, law abiding citizens all over the world are reading and watching them. If this was a measure of character and desire, the world would be in total anarchy.
Nothing to worry about. Leave her in peace to enjoy her books. She's in her 70s, so she can expand her tastes, and her horizons as she sees fit.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (21 April 2020): I hope and think you are correct.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (21 April 2020): As long as she's only reading and not acting-out the plots and crimes in the books!
Sir, John Sanford is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author has written many best-sellers. She is intrigued by this literary genre because she lives a content and comfortable life. He brings her excitement and intrigue.
I don't think you'll find bodies buried in the backyard; but if you have some other writers you could suggest, perhaps you may expand her taste; and offer something less violent and controversial. She's a woman in her 70's, and she hasn't done anything in the past five years that has the police pounding at your door.
You're safe! You put a smile on my face, dear sir! You've made my day!
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