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Bantam, Oct 2004, 6.99, 368 pp. ISBN 0553586564 In the well to do enclave of Paradise Key, a group of wealthy investors lost over twenty-two million dollars in a ponzi scheme perpetrated by Victor Trebuchet and Adrienne Debarret. British Lord Warfield had the investors eating out of his hands as he enthusiastically endorsed the satellite, rocket and launch pad site in Kenya. They even brought in scientists to explain how the new technology used on the rockets and satellites would quadruple their investment in a matter of months. When the scheme collapses the two con men (and one woman) disappeared leaving very unhappy investors who want their money back. Since the investors don't want the police involved because they would look like fools they hire lawyer Tom Petrie to help them rescue their losses. He gets Dan Shaw, who is supposed to be studying for his bar exam, as well as other allies to to help out scam the scammers. They trace them to Italy where the head con lives in a villa under the name of Senor Arbaleste; so they rent the place next door to him. They plan to exchange a forged painting by a master for the mission's money and their scheme works but lives are lost because of it. Harriet Klausner | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) Time/era of story: Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book The crook is.... - commit white collar fraud or con 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 Crime plotlets: Is MAIN CHARACTER an EVIL criminal? Yes General Crime (including known murderer) Yes Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: 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: - Southeast Europe Yes European country: - Italy 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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