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Book Review By Frances McFadden
Cause for Alarm by Eric Ambler

The main character gets a job making machines that manufacture shells in Italy during fascist rule in the 1930's after his predessesor is killed in suspicious circumstances. He is approached by a general claiming to be working for the Yugoslavian government but he is actually a German who wants to use him as a spy. He then inadvertantly ends up working for a Soviet spy and has to flee from the Italian secret police.


Plot & Themes
Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
Spying/Terrorism Thriller Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10 %
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 %
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 40 %
Who's the terrorist enemy here?

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 40's-50's
Ethnicity/Race

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
Motive of antagonist - power
The antagonists are: - nazis

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - Italy

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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