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Top, Feb 2004 ISBN: 1929976267 In Las Vegas, investigative reporter Dan Springer is working on an article that will expose the extent of the drug dealing, other illegal crimes, and corruption that has tentacles gripping the entire city. Threats fail to deter the idealistic journalist from completing his quest. However, instead of a Pulitzer, Dan is left a widower as someone retaliates by murdering his wife and abducting his newborn daughter with the not so veiled menace to Diana's safety if he prints the article. Seven years later, Dan still has not found Diana. However, an opportunity to recover his daughter finally surfaces with the kidnapping of the son of a local mob boss. Dan, using his journalist credentials, manages to rescue the son, but the plan goes awry afterward. Instead of a joyful reunion, he has jeopardized Debbie Gunther, the woman he loves, as much as he endangered himself and the trail remains elusively meandering away from his daughter. WHAT OTHERS KNOW is an engaging tale that focuses on one of a parent's worst nightmares, the abduction of a baby caused by the adult's actions, which in this case was done with good intentions. The story line grips the audience from the start as readers will feel Dan's frustrations in his inability to track down Diana. The secondary characters are solid, but the suspense belongs to Dan, who shows little emotion until the angst ridden climax because L.C. Hayden has drawn him as coldly obsessed with regaining his lost child at any cost. The only flaw of the hero is that his love for Debbie fails to come across until the ending. Thee audience will appreciate Ms. Hayden's exciting thriller. Harriet Klausner | ||
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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 - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % 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? - breaking up gang 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: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - revenge How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting United States Yes The US: - West 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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