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Ballantine, Sep 2004, 25.95, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0345456548
In 1915, though they remain in mourning over the vehicular murder of their parents, the Reavley brothers and sisters continue to their efforts to help England at war with the Kaiser. Joseph serves as a chaplain in the trench warfare in Belgium and France. Judith works as a driver and translator for General Cullingsford, who leads the English Expeditionary Force fighting in these trenches. Matthew is in London working Intel while trying to uncover information on the mythical power broker Peacemaker, who he believes is the killer of his parents and the broker of a Kaiser King alliance.
Joseph finds the corpse of detested journalist Eldon Prince, Cullingsford's nephew, who apparently died at the hands of “friendly” fire. Though he would prefer to ignore this homicide, Joseph investigates, which makes his preaching more difficult to his already disbelieving flock, who are pleased with Eldon's death. His sister wonders if her employer whom she is in love with could have arranged the murder of his odious relative.
Judith and Joseph work a murder investigation with the backdrop of the horrors of war, especially trench warfare. In England, Matthew continues his inquiries into the Peacemaker.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Shoulder the Sky |
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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 - 40%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- 1930's-1950's
War Thriller
Yes
Specific to
- WW II
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 40%
Kind of investigator
- skilled citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- religious figure
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- 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:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
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
- very athletic
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
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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