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| Plot Summary of Bad Seed |
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Mysterious Press, Feb 2002, 23.95, 372 pp.
ISBN: 0892967498
Benson University in upstate Gabriel, New York is in the midst of a major debate over genetically engineered foods. One side of the heated controversy sees this as a means to feed the world population and end the Malthus effect. On the other side, opponents believe science is running amuck Dr. Frankenstein style destroying future generations of third world people.
When the Gabriel Monitor science reporter Jake “Mad” Madison mixes alcohol and prescription drugs to mend a broken heart, he lands in the hospital, which leaves Alex Bernier to report on the food controversy. Brilliant botanist Dr. Kate Barnett leads the genetic food experiments, but is soon found murdered in her laboratory. Alex investigates the homicide looking at the activities of the Don't Break the Food Chain opposition as well as Kate's scientific cronies knowing that either side could hide a murdered amidst their crowd.
BAD SEED is a good, make that excellent, journalistic investigative tale that uses modern scientific debate as a mechanism to set up the motive for a homicide. The story line is fast paced, but clearly belongs to Gen Xer Alex whose retorts provide the audience with humor even as she takes her inquiries quite seriously. Beth Saulnier has written a wonderful novel that is part of a strong series worth reading by fans of investigative tales.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Bad Seed |
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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 - 60%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%
Tone of story
- very upbeat
How difficult to spot villain?
- Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 60%
Kind of investigator
- skilled citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- describing scientific process
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- doctor
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
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
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
Motive of antagonist
- power
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Style
Person
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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