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IUniverse, 2004, 17.95, 310 pp. ISBN: 059526414X In Oakland, communication expert Darby Hill is expected to find a means to sell Terra Tech video game arcade to the public as a nice place to have a good time in a science oriented virtual reality medium. The project would be fun except that her former lover Curtis is her team worker and is a competitor for a promotion. Darby has not forgiven him for cheating on her. When an elderly man charges into their office, Darby is shocked by how shook up Curtis seems though he tries to hide his reaction. Darby knows nothing affects the composed Curtis who tries to tap dance out of her questions. When the old man is found dead, Darby is unable to mind her business, visits the morgue, and begins making inquiries over the objection of her peers especially Curtis. Not long afterward, Curtis is also murdered and Darby realizes she in trouble as someone has taken advantage of her curiosity and set her up to take the fall as a murderer. Now her investigation turns personal and deadly. Though curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction will bring the reader back for more works starring delightful amateur sleuth Darby Hill. The story line is fun to follow once the audience accepts that Darby is better than the professionals (police and coroner) at their jobs. Darby is more than just the center that holds the plot together; she is charming, enthusiastic, and dedicated as she realizes how far corporations will go is the bottom line. 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: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 70% Special suspect? - investigator him/herself Misc. Murder Plotlets - Proving innocence of very obvious suspect Kind of investigator 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 - 40 % 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 - money/treasure 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: - California 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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