|
Five Star, Dec 2004, 25.95, 215 pp. ISBN: 1594142599 In Tulsa, Oklahoma, private investigator Carl Jacobs meets with his childhood friend, informant Jimmy Jay late at night, but instead of information and friendship, the “Blue Jay” tries to kill the sleuth. Carl takes a bullet to the shoulder, but kills Jimmy. Afterward, Carl explains to the police that he does not know why a man who slept in his home and knew his wife and two daughters would try to kill him. The next day Carl learns that another private investigator was killed last week by the weapon that Jimmy used on him. Other attempts on Carl's life follow, but this time by a professional hit man. As Carl investigates a couple of cases for Underhill Insurance, where his wife is employed, he begins to uncover a multi million dollar insurance scam. Carl is a cross between an urban noir hero and a househusband/doting father. Besides being shot (remarkable recovery aside), he makes breakfast for his three beloved human females. 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% 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: - 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: - Midwest Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript |
||