| Mary Katherine Blackstone lives with her older sister, Constance, and her invalid uncle Julian in a mansion cut off from the local village. Several years ago four members of the family had been poisoned. Constance had been accused, but was acquitted. The family is estranged from the villagers who still believe that Constance was the murderer. One day Charles, a cousin, shows up. Although Mary doesn't like him, Constance makes him welcome in the house, and begins to think about going back out in the world. Mary decides that she must do something to drive him away. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) How difficult to spot villain? - Moderately Challenging Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 30% Special suspect? - relative Misc. Murder Plotlets - cooped up in spooky house 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 - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 30 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - a teen Ethnicity/Race Unusual characteristics: Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - money/treasure How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting United States Yes The US: - Northeast Small town? Yes Small town people: - hostile, like Gomer Pyle on steroids Misc setting - fancy mansion Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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