| Young Psychologist Mick Callahan was a media superstar, but arrogance and alcoholism ruined his career. Disgraced, he returns home to the dying little town of Dry Wells, Nevada and hosts a funky call-in radio show over Memorial Day weekend. A female caller drops hints about a drug addicted boyfriend who is violent. Mick is less than helpful. Out for a jog that night, Mick finds a dead body and is asked by Sherrif Bates to keep the murder secret.
The next day, when the girl caller (the daughter of a wealthy rancher) also ends up murdered, Mick feels compelled by guilt to investigate her death. He bores in on the town's sordid secrets with the help of Jerry, a local hacker from foster homes, and Mick's wealthy sponsor Hal, who is currently travelling in Europe and communicates via computer monitor. The dead girl's evil family and a gang of redneck toughs get in the way. During the story, Mick is forced to examine his deep insecurities, face memories of an abusive childhood and his deep, unresolved feelings for an old flame. After another murder, the story climaxes Memorial Day evening, with fireworks scorching the sky and Mick Callahan literally running for his life through the deserted western town. | ||
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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: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 70% 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 - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Eccentric: Yes Motive of antagonist - money/treasure The antagonists are: - Drug kingpins How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Desert? Yes Farm/Ranch? Yes Farm/Ranch: - ranch Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Explicit sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - descript of kissing Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript |
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