Did the way the book begins make you think the story would move in a different direction?

I didn't let the opening give me a preconceived idea of the story, but of course it was in my mind all through as I read it.

No. I didn't really think it was going in a different direction. I think it was a great opening for the story then to develop. I did assume that there would be some closure as to why the man was stabbed.