Book reviews

For Whom Death Tolls
Kate Kingsbury Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography History
Kate Kingsbury Books
New book search
Kate Kingsbury Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of For Whom Death Tolls
"

Berkley Feb 2002, 6.99, 203 pp.
ISBN 0425183866

    During the World War II years, life is not easy for Lady Elizabeth, born and bred in the Manor House. Her ex-husband absconded with her money and Lady Elizabeth, who feels she must be an example of distinguished living to the entire village, is near bankruptcy. She hides her financial affairs from the villagers and does her best to act as Lady Bountiful.

    One night the church bells ring, signifying a German invasion. When the villagers arrive they find an officer hanging from the rafters where the bells are located. Nobody knows how he got up there but the mystery is compounded when another air force officer is found dead. Lady Elizabeth's secretary knows the man accused of the murder is innocent and begs her mistress to clear his name. The lady of the manor starts investigating in earnest and puts herself in danger because somebody doesn't want her to find out the truth.

    Kale Kingsbury does a wonderful job at showing the mixed feelings Englishmen have about Americans on their soil during World War II. Readers also get a glimpse into village life during the war years and the action that people take to circumvent the food rationing. FOR WHOM DEATH TOLLS is a fascinating mid twentieth century mystery.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of For Whom Death Tolls
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 - 20%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 40%




Tone of story - very upbeat
How difficult to spot villain? - Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story: - 1930's-1950's
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 60%
Murder of certain profession? - soldiers
Kind of investigator - skilled citizen investigator
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot? - life in small town
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
Age: - 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use? - none
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: - criminal
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
Motive of antagonist - money/treasure
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK

Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths? - 2
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Most similar books to For Whom Death Tolls
Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie
A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie
A Murder of Quality by John Le Carre


Click here for more information about this book


Kate Kingsbury Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Tara Roberts  

SCHOLARS:


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Thriller/Action books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Big vehicle disaster?

Crime Thriller

Disaster, natural or nuclear

Exploring into the wild

Horror Story?

Legal Thriller

Medical Thriller

Religious overtones?

Spying/Terrorism Thriller

War Thriller

Water adventure

Western



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
Feedback
About us
Bribe your congressman!
Rudy Giuliani



Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Online Dating Advice
Southampton Row 4:16:22 PM
Nicholas Sparks 3:33:54 PM
Mitzi Loftus 2:35:17 PM
Jeffrey Archer 7:34:47 AM
George W. Bush 3:59:42 AM
Frances Salomon Murphy 11:27:09 PM
Robert Stanek 5:21:14 PM
Warren Getler and Bob Brewer 4:47:55 PM
David Pelzer 1:27:48 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun 10:22:20 PM
Barack Obama 9:55:05 PM
Sister Souljah 12:29:03 PM
Ray Bradbury 9:11:31 PM
Erin Hunters 7:19:58 PM
Robert Segarra 4:07:19 PM
Robert Newton Peck 4:54:54 PM
Jude Watson 12:40:50 PM
V.C. Andrews 10:03:07 PM
June Lund Shiplett 9:31:25 PM
George Orwell 9:27:23 PM

More message boards