Five Star, Sep 2004, 25.95, 246 pp. 159141851 In Suffolk County, New York twenty-five years ago, a high school junior named Freddy fell from the fire escape of the Falcon Nest Hotel during a “club” initiation. Freddy remained in a coma for a few years as his family fell apart in their grief before Freddy finally died. Over the years though she married and divorced one of them, Freddy's sister Angela suspects four people were involved in the incident though none of them were seemingly impacted by it as her family was. At a high school reunion she informs Michael, Sam, Jock and Hap that she is suing them in the wrongful death of her brother. Stunned, social worker Sam is further dismayed when Michael's son Mike is caught in a stairwell with an underage client; instead of filing the report he allows history to repeat itself by hiding the truth. However, when someone murders Angela, Sam with the help of his girlfriend, concludes he must face up to his role in the tragedy confronting his three friends. BROKEN GLASS is an intriguing crime thriller starring a beleaguered protagonist struggling with the need to do the right thing. Harriet Klausner | ||
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% Misc. Murder Plotlets - solving long-past murder - 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: - 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 United States Yes The US: - Northeast Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript |