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Zebra, May 2004, 5.99 ISBN: 0821775367 In 1870 Mary Costner accompanied by her brother Billy has proof that she owns a gold mine in Gregory Gulch near Pikes Peak. Her “partner” Big Jim McCoy is stunned not just because he feels someone is trying to steal his claim, but that someone is a female. The Marshal informs both that each has a share. Mary tells Jim that she will dress like a man and work as hard as or even harder than him as Billy leaves town. Two years pass and things seem relatively smooth until one day Mary awakens holding a bloody knife near her dead partner. She foolishly flees into a horrific snowstorm, but is rescued by Marshal Carter Monroe, who takes her into his home. While he believes she has amnesia, he investigates Big Jim's murder expecting a link to the killing of his sister. As Carter and Mary fall in love, an unknown assailant abducts her, forcing the Marshal to decide between love and revenge. If he chooses the former, he might die, if he chooses the latter she might die. Fans of western romantic suspense will appreciate this deep tale of love vs. vengeance. The crisp story line is vividly descriptive (my hands remain cold from the storm) so that the audience obtains a taste of Reconstruction Era Colorado yet still provides plenty of intrigue. Though the amnesia ploy feels ancient, the lead couple is a delightful pairing who keeps the ruse fresh as both struggles with unwanted love when each has a secret that they respectively believe would end any relationship between them. 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? - 60% Special suspect? - amnesiatic 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 Is Romance a MAJOR (25%+) part of story? Yes Main Character Gender - Female 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: - 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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