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Something Borrowed, Something Black
Loren D. Estleman Book Review

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Plot Summary of Something Borrowed, Something Black
"

Forge, Apr 2002, 24.95, 238 pp.
ISBN: 031287863X

In his mid forties, Peter Macklin retired several years ago as a hit man and recently married the much younger Laurie. They are enjoying their honeymoon in Los Angeles when crime boss Carlo Maggiore spots Peter. Though Macklin tried to kill Carlo years ago, business is business so the mobster “hires” Peter to complete a hit that one of his thugs messed up. The fee is fifty large ones plus the safe return of his wife if he kills San Antonio bookie Johns Davis.

Peter hides what he is doing from Laurie, insisting he is going to Sacramento on business. Instead Peter goes to Texas to complete the job. Though out of practice, a hit feels like riding a bike to the retired professional. As Peter works on the details of how he will execute the assignment, Laurie realizes that her “baby-sitter” is no friend of her spouse. She knows that she must depend on herself to remain safe from this goon, while patiently waiting until Peter returns to force the truth from him.

The latest Macklin tale is an exciting crime thriller that showcases the talent of award-winning Loren D. Estleman and demonstrates why the antihero is so popular. The story line is loaded with action whether Peter is the focus or Laurie takes center stage. Though the tale fails to provide Laurie's reactions to Peter's former profession (stay tuned for that in the next novel), fans of the author, especially of Macklin, will appreciate this gratifying thriller.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of Something Borrowed, Something Black
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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 - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story: - present (2000-2010)
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
The crook is.... - criminals killing each other
Crime Thriller Yes
Crime plotlets: - escape/rescue from kidnappers
Mostly a criminal POV story Yes
General Crime (including known murderer) Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here? - breaking up mobsters

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - killer
Age: - 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use? - just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race - White/American
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - criminal
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist - power
The antagonists are: - US mafia
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - California

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
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
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