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Cold Day in July Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Cold Day in July


Marc Girard, wealthy native son of Touissant, Louisiana, is a man on a mission. After several years away from this quiet little bayou town, Marc comes back to search for his missing sister, Amy. When the body of a mysterious woman is found at the bottom of the St. Cecil's belfry stairs, Marc is positive that the victim is his missing sister. He also believes that the woman's death was no accident.
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Faced with the possibility of his sister's demise, Marc seeks the help of the beautiful town doctor, Reb O'Brien. Since Reb has assisted with inquiries into two other murders in this small town, Marc feels that he can overlook his and Reb's brief romantic past in order to get the answers he needs. Reb isn't quite so sure....
Reb and Marc's inquiries about the past place them in serious danger. The people of Touissaint might never be the same after learning the truth about some of the pillars of the community.
The review of this Book prepared by Jezzie






Kensington, Sep 2002, 24.00, 336 pp.
ISBN: 1575668211

Though his family owns a sizable part of Toussaint, Louisiana, not too many people are pleased to see Marc Gilbert return to town after a thirteen-year absence. Marc saw a picture of local singer Bonnie Blue in his hometown newspaper that he still receives. The accompanying article reports the death by accident of Bonnie. Marc believes that Bonnie is his missing older sister Amy.

Medical examiner Reb O'Brien has always had a crush on Marc that never really went anywhere especially after he graduated from Tulane as she was completing her freshman year there. Reb has no reason to conclude foul play occurred in Bonnie's death, but Marc ties the case back to two other murders two years ago though the convicted killer resides in prison. Marc persuades Reb to help determine whether Bonnie was Amy and if someone, perhaps her married boyfriend, killed her.

COLD DAY IN JULY is a wonderful romantic suspense that provides the audience with growing intrigue that seems to grip all the residence of Toussaint, many of who fear the return of Marc as a catalyst for trouble. The story line is fast-paced yet takes the time to enable the reader to feel the ambiance and the apprehension gripping Toussaint. Marc is a strong lead protagonist though why he concluded that Bonnie is Amy seems stretched while Reb is a delightful local doctor trying to do the right thing even as she wonders what that is. Stella Cameron provides her fans with a wonderful reading day in September.

Harriet Klausner

The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner



Chapter Analysis of Cold Day in July

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases 10%Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 30%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 40%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:    -   2000+ (Present) What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot?    -   60% Kind of investigator    -   amateur citizen investigator Kid or adult book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot?    -   life in that culture Crime Thriller    -   Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown)    -   Yes

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Profession/status:    -   business executive    -   wealthy Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Race    -   White/American

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Deep South Small town?    -   Yes Small town people:    -   nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment Explicit sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references Amount of dialog    -   significantly more dialog than descript

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Stella Cameron Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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