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Deadly Alibi Press, 2004, 16.99, 196 pp. ISBN: 1886199256 In 1905, Amelia Watson receives a letter from Bella Mabry, whom she served as governess to over a decade ago. Bella, married to Ronald Standish, needs the help of Sherlock Holmes, as her spouse is in prison accused of murdering George Frankham in Bath Abbey's Great Bath. At the same time, Amelia's spouse John, who has been chronicling the Holmes cases, is heading to France to provide lectures on the great sleuth. Knowing she could not find the vanished Holmes besides not wanting to find her “rival” for John's affection, Amelia travels to Bath to prove that Ronald is not the killer. In Bath, Amelia quickly learns that the media and the citizens firmly believe that Ronald committee murder. Still she believes her former charge that he is innocent and begins making inquiries while Ronald's solicitor Geoffrey Creach escorts her around the town. As she begins to find proof that the obvious is not always the truth, Amelia is unaware of the danger she places herself by someone who wants Ronald to pay the price. Every time I think there is no further spin to Holmes then comes along a refreshing approach that will surprise fans of the great detective, of which this heroine is not one. The amateur sleuthing is fun to follow as the tale brings home the early twentieth century and the cast is a wonderful group enabling the audience to glimpse back in time. Elementary dear reader, the tale belongs to that eerie triangle of John, Amelia and the “ghost” of Sherlock that will fascinate fans with an intriguing different perspective of Mrs. Watson's rival. 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% 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 - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30'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 Europe Yes European country: - England/UK 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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