| Plot Summary of Danger in the Shadows |
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"Sara Walsh is a closed-up, reclusive author of children's books held captive by her past. When she was 6, she and her twin sister Kim were kidnapped for ransom and locked in a dark basement for nine days. Sara survived, but her sister didn't. Now, twenty five years later, Sara is still haunted by the terrible memories, fears, and the feeling of guilt. There is ground for those fears: one of the kidnappers has never been caught. He is still out there, and still after Sara, occasionally reminding her of his existence by sending notes and mementos from the past. What makes it worse is that Sara was so traumatized that her brain has blocked out the stalker's face, so she does not even know whom to watch out for. There is just this faceless ghost from the past haunting her, a danger in the shadows.
Sara is in the FBI witness protection program, she lives according to the instructions she receives, changing jobs, names, and residence whenever she is told. Usually, when she is told to do so it means that the stalker is getting close to finding her once again. This lifestyle also means that Sara cannot afford lasting friendships or loving relationships. The only person she is close to is her brother Dave, who is also an FBI agent in charge of her case.
This changes one day when Sara stays late at work and gets stuck in an elevator together with Adam Black, a former pro football player. The light flickers off, and Sara freezes in horror, flooded with childhood memories and flashbacks. Adam notices her condition, helps her through and makes sure she is all right. He feels attracted to this unusual young lady and tries to pursue her acquaintance. The attraction is mutual, but Sara is terrified of it. Adam, although retired, is still a public figure, very visible in the media and known by everyone. Such publicity can cost Sara her life. She tells this to Adam, over and over again. He responds with more determination to have a future together with Sara and sincere desire to protect her. Reluctantly, Sara gives in. The stalker has not bothered her for some time, so her guard goes down a little… and then he shows up again. Now both Sara and Adam are caught up in this nightmare. Are they going to make it or will the stalker destroy their lives?
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Laura Southcombe, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Danger in the Shadows |
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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 - 30%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
- 1980's-1999
Crime Thriller
Yes
General Crime (including known murderer)
Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here?
- crazed boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse
Is Romance a MAJOR (25%+) part of story?
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- writer
Age:
- 40's-50's
Eccentric/Mental:
Yes
Eccentric:
- emotionally unstable
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- criminal
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
Motive of antagonist
- insanity
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Setting
United States
Yes
Style
Part of a series?
Yes
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Amount of dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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