| Plot Summary of Bell, Book & Scandal |
|---|
"
Morrow, Nov 2003, 23.95, 224 pp.
ISBN 0060097973
When aspiring novelist Jane Jeffry gets a brochure in the mail about a writing conference coming to her town, her best friend and neighbor Shelley Novacks persuades her to go. Shelley also decides to attend. She and Jane register for the plush free suite that is available to the Novacks at all times. Jane is so motivated that she finally completes the mystery she has been working on for years.
On the opening day of the conference, Jane meets one of her favorite writers who turns out to be a very sweet and friendly person. At the opening ceremony the speaker editor Sophie Smith falls ill and is rushed to the hospital where she has her stomach pumped. A little while later, Zac Zebra, writer turned reviewer, is found unconscious in the hotel parking lot. In between agent and editor conferences and seminars, and costume parties, Jane tries to figure out the link between the two incidents and who is responsible.
It is always fun to read a new Jane Jeffry mystery and BELL, BOOK AND SCANDAL is strong evidence of why. The author captures the ambiance of a writers' convention to perfection, using it as the back drop for an enjoyable mystery. Fans of cozies and amateur sleuth who-done-its in which nobody is killed and no blood is shed will find this work charming and entertaining. The story line is lighthearted filled with humor and does not take itself too seriously.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
|
|
|
| Review Analysis of Bell, Book & Scandal |
|---|
|
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).
|
|
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
- very upbeat
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller
Yes
General Crime (including known murderer)
Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here?
- hunted by BAD vigilante getting revenge
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- writer
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- servant
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- revenge
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Midwest
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 0 (not a murder mystery)
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
|
|
