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| Plot Summary of A Well-Respected Dead Man |
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"
Five Star, Aug 2003, 25.95, 310 pp.
ISBN: 0786254416
In 1947 the tragic Grandcamp explosion in Texas City captures the attention of most Texans. However in Dallas, gambling king Willie Peabody visits former prosecutor David Weather to warn him to take care of his half sister, stripper Belinda Bain. The next day Willie is found dead with six bullets in his corpse. City Detective Prescott Hadley leads one side of the investigation while his enemy county sheriff O'Dell Orton the other.
Everyone seems to lean towards the belief that David killed Willie. Still he plans to mind his business after his previous sleuthing intercession led to his present fall from grace. However, David changes his mind when he finds reporter Jane Aldar, a woman he thinks he may love, has gone undercover at Willie's Star D Club. He digs deep into the Peabody family and associates to learn who killed the felon in order to insure Jane remains safe.
This exciting historical mystery will bring plenty of respect as an author to Tricia Allen. The story line shines an impressive light on post-World War II Texas yet never loses sight of the who-done-it. The police procedural elements are fun to observe as the county and city argue over jurisdiction while failing to gain information. David is a strong character weathering storms from friends and foes that will make him a fan favorite and send readers seeking his previous appearance (Texas Weather).
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of A Well-Respected Dead Man |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- 1930's-1950's
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- Proving innocence of very obvious suspect
Kind of investigator
- hard boiled/private eye
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- private investigator
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- power
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Texas
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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