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| Plot Summary of The Straw Men |
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"
Jove, August 2002, 6.99, 400 pp.
ISBN 515134279
Ward Hopkins returns home to Dyserburg, Montana only to step into what seems like an episode of the Twilight Zone when he finds a book taped to the underside of a recliner. Contained inside the book is a note that states his parents aren't dead. Tearing the house apart, he stumbles upon a video showing his parents and two twins, one who they leave behind in a crowded area. Unable to believe his parents are capable of such an act, he along with his CIA friend Bobby discovers that there is no record of Ward's birth.
While Bobby and Ward seek the truth, a teenage girl is kidnapped in Santa Monica with the FBI believing they are once again dealing with the Upright Man serial killer. Former cop John Zandt and his friend FBI agent Nina look to find Sarah before she is killed like the three others before her. John and Nina cross paths with Bobby and Ward. They begin working together making the necessary connections to find the Upright Man and his supporters the Straw Men.
Eerie, gothic like suspense that has more realistic twists and turns than the world's most serpentine roller-coaster, THE STRAW MEN never slows the ride until even Yogi would agree it's over. From the very beginning readers connect with a befuddled Ward at a very fundamental level. Fans root for him and his cohorts to succeed in their interconnected missions that seem so hopeless. Michael Marshall's debut novel is a very special reading experience for crime thriller fans.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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"Former CIA operative Ward Hopkins is shocked to learn of the death of his parents in an apparent road traffic accident. When he discovers a hidden message left by his parents before their death, he begins to suspect foul play. Meanwhile, ex-homicide cop John Zandt is contacted by his former lover, FBI agent Nina Baynam, to help her investigate the disappearances of a series of teenage girls, apparently the work of the killer who calls himself "The Upright Man". The same man responsible for the disappearance of Zandt's own daughter, years previously. Ward's search for his parents' killer, and Zandt's investigation converge in a shocking denouement."
Stephen Coombs, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of The Straw Men |
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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 - 25%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 25%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- scarey (primal ax-wielding fear)
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 50%
- nearly 100%
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- local police w/ IQ of a houseplant
- "All in the family" murder
- Killer purposely leaves clues
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, American
- skilled citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- searching for missing person
- feelings towards family/friends
Crime Thriller
Yes
Crime plotlets:
- escape/rescue from kidnappers
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
General Crime (including known murderer)
Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here?
- militia/racists
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- unemployed
- wealthy
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
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- killer
- criminal
Eccentric:
Yes
- obsessed
- deluded
- wild
- eccentric
- mentally ill
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- almost none
- a little/some
Motive of antagonist
- power
- insanity
The antagonists are:
- radical right wingers
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
- Midwest
- West
- California
City?
Yes
City:
- Los Angeles
Style
Person
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- very gorey descriptions deaths/dead bodies
How many deaths?
- 3-4
- 8 or more
A lot of techno jargon?
Yes
Kind of jargon?
- electrical engineering
Unusual forms of death
- perforation--swords/knives
- exploded into bits
Unusual form of death?
Yes
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
- significantly more descript than dialog
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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