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Book Review By Jenn Moss
A Drink Before The War by Dennis Lehane

Patrick Kenize and his lovely assistant Angela Gennara are hired to find a missing cleaning lady who stole some confidential materials from a couple of Senators. Patrick believes this should be an easy job, and takes it quite readily. When he finds the missing woman he also finds some photos that a few of the Senators would not like to be revealed. When the missing woman turns up dead, his next job is to find out who did it, and why. Taking place in Boston, Patrick also deals with a gang who are seeking revenge for things that have occurred many years previously.


Plot & Themes
Tone of story - very humorous
How difficult to spot villain? - Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story:
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 60%
Kind of investigator
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
descript. of violence and chases - 30 %
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20 %
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

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

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status:
Motive of antagonist - revenge
The antagonists are: - gangs
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Dumb

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Midwest

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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