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Henry Holt, Sept 2002, 24.00, 256 pp. ISBN 0805072039 Before he was murdered and the death made to look like a cover up, scientist Carl Greene worked for a Seattle based pharmaceutical company, Bioflux. He asked an old friend, journalist Kevin Burns to meet him, but Carl never shows up. Later Kevin learns about the accident. That night Carl's widow Lucy hears somebody rummaging in Carl's home office. She chases the perp off but the next day the people from Bioflux come to take away Carl's computer files and papers, claiming it is proprietary information. Darcy, a former jewel thief hooks up with Lucy because her boss, the warden of a prison, wants the documents Carl had on the prisoners dealing with TB. Lucy's brother who is suffering from Gulf War Syndrome is shot to death for knowledge he held. Lucy, Darcy and Kevin are determined to find out what Bioflux wants so desperately to hide or die trying. Without realizing it, Lucy and Darcy stumble across an illegal government cover up that they want hushed up despite the collateral damage. After losing her husband the protagonist finds the strength to duel the various factions who want to silence her. Lucy is a smart and likable character who draws on her own inner strength when she needs it. Darcy is a scene-stealer with her sarcastic quips and pithy comments. Jenny Siller has written a fantastic crime thriller that fans of Nancy Taylor Rosenberg will enjoy. Harriet Klausner | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues Time/era of story: Medical Thriller Yes Medical Plotlets: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 70% Murder of certain profession? 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 - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - power How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting United States Yes The US: - Midwest 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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