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Book Review By Amanda Campbell
Smokescreen by Dick Francis

Edward Lincoln, an action movie star, has just finished filming his new film Man in a Car on location in Spain. Upon returning he recieves a call from Nerissa, a old family friend, who is dying from cancer. Nerissa requests that Edward go to South Africa to check on her racehorses and find out why they are not running well.

Upon arriving in South Africa, Edward meets Nerissa's nephew from the US, Danilo. Upon initially meeting Danilo, Edward does not suspect him as being responsible for the sabotage of the horses. But, Edward finds out later he is not what he seems, he is sabotaging the horses he is to inherit and trying to inherit Edwards part of the inheritance as well. Danilo is blinded by greed and is willing to commit murder to get what he wants.   


Plot & Themes
Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10 %
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 %
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20 %
Crime Thriller Yes
Crime plotlets:
General Crime (including known murderer) Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here? - evil corporation/rich guy
If story PRIMARILY about main chr. being hunted... - hunted by killer/stalker

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 - money/treasure
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
Africa Yes
Part of Africa: - White Enclave
Desert? Yes
Desert: - dying of thirst, sunburn - funny heat-delusions
Farm/Ranch? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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