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Five Star, Sep 2004, 25.95, 234 pp. ISBN: 1594142459 Martin and Belinda Alexander move from Seattle to Hope Springs, Oregon so he, a doctor, can start over following a malpractice case that led to his being fired from a hospital. Belinda soon learns that their new home, the Old Erickson place, was the setting of a 1958 murder suicide. She finds three five year journals starting in 1943 written by the alleged murderer Martha, who supposedly killed her womanizing husband Albert and then herself. Belinda begins to make inquires and searching for the missing last journal She believes an injustice occurred and that important people want the deaths of four decades to remain as is. As her spouse pressures her to drop her obsession, she falls in love with Bobby Lassiter, son of the town's icons and the only one willing to help her learn the truth that might free Martha, but could lead to Belinda's death. HAUNTING FOR JUSTICE is an intriguing amateur sleuth tale starring a delightful champion who turns from a need to know the truth to an obsession to provide peace to the deceased maligned Martha. Bobby is her gutsy equal having to defy his beloved father and a close family friend to help Belinda on her quest. Her spouse is pathetic, no competition to Bobby and is brushed aside too easily. 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% Misc. Murder Plotlets - solving long-past murder - - Proving innocence of very obvious suspect 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: - 40's-50's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - power 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: - Pacific NW 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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