| NYPD homicide detective John Corey is living at his uncle's cottage on east Long Island, recuperating from three bullet wounds received in the line of duty. He is asked by the local chief of police to help with the murder investigation of a local couple whom John had known during his stay. The couple were research scientists at Plum Island, a government research installation specializing in animal disease; unlike typical scientists, they were also into a good bit of socializing, and had a Formula 303 boat which they used for high-speed travel in the Sound. It is feared they were involved in stealing and selling an animal virus, or perhaps a vaccine--or even drugs.
Because of the government connection, the FBI and CIA become involved, along with the town police and county sheriff's office. The beautiful county investigator, Detective Beth Penrose, heads up the local investigation, and at times runs with, at times counter to, John's investigative activities. Is the perpetrator another staff member at the research facility, one of the investigators, a friend of the dead couple, or even the CIA? The curator of the local historical society, Emma Whitestone, another beauty, provides the ultimate clues to the mystery, and the motivation for John to see that justice is served. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - Dry-cynical 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? - 90% Kind of investigator 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 - 60 % 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 - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - money/treasure The antagonists are: - big business leader(s) How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Water? Yes Island? Yes Island: - Atlantic Ocean Island Small town? Yes Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee Misc setting - scientific labs Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Explicit sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references - touching of anatomy Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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