Jacqueline Kirby, librarian, needs a vacation from her job in Nebraska. What better place to travel than the historical romance conference in New York City! She's not a writer of romances yet, but how hard can it be?
Jacqueline arrives at the hotel to a massive affair of hype, gaudy decorations, and fans. She is pleased to meet Dubretta Duberstein, a poison-tongued newspaper columnists with a cynical outlook on the entire romance scene, particularly "Aunt Hattie", the self-proclaimed ruler of agents. At the conference cocktail party, Dubretta dies unexpectedly and Jacqueline, against the wishes of the local police department (Lieutenant O'Brien), decides to investigate. Through a series of conversations, a parade of strange characters, Dubretta's lost notebook, and chases across Manhattan, Jacqueline solves the case and finishes her first romance novel. | ||
Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) Time/era of story: Murder of certain profession? Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book descript. of violence and chases - 20 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 60's-90's Profession/status: Eccentric: Yes Motive of antagonist - jealousy How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Genius Setting United States Yes The US: - Northeast City? Yes City: - New York Misc setting - resort/hotel Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Unusual forms of death - poisoning Unusual form of death? Yes Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |