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Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Superstition by Karen Robards



Putnam, April 2005, 24.95, 432 pp.
ISBN 0399152806

On Pawleys Island off the coast of South Carolina, television reality reporter Nicole Sullivan of Twenty-Four Hours investigates a reenactment of the murder of teenager Tara Mitchell and the disappearance of her two best friends who were supposed to have a sleepover together. Nobody has lived in the house since the murder because the tenants felt they were residing with the ghosts of the dead girls.

During the filming, one of the technical people Kenen Wise is murdered in almost the same way that the teen was killed over a decade ago. Nicky investigates the crime which causes her to come into conflict with chief of police Joe Franconi. Even though they are working opposite sides of the murder investigation, the cop and the reporter fall in love, an emotion neither wants. Nicky sees ghosts and Joe is haunted by his guardian angel Brian who he knew when he worked vice in Trenton New Jersey. Joe thinks he's going crazy but Nicky believes in ghosts including Joe's because she sees him but it is up to the two protagonists to find the killer because the spirits don't reveal their insider information.

Harriet Klausner


Plot & Themes
Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
Misc. Murder Plotlets - solving long-past murder
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
descript. of violence and chases - 10 %
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 %
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 %
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Race

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
Motive of antagonist - money/treasure
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Southeast

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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