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The Deal Killer
Jack Bludis Book Review

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Plot Summary of The Deal Killer
"

Design Image, Dec 2002, 15.95, 238 pp.
ISBN: 1891946188

In 1951 Hollywood, Regal Pictures mogul Robert regal Clarke asks Brian Kane one more time to explain what he does for the studio. Brian tells her he is a private detective on retainer by Regal. He gets a hundred a month for doing nothing and fifty a day if he is doing something. Robert orders Brian to handle the blackmailing of his girlfriend actress Hanna Mills, but neither of them will provide him any information beyond a vague threat that the culprit will go to columnist Andrea Anderson with some damaging information.

Brian waits for a final scene of western to be shot so he can question Hanna who stars in the film. However, during the climatic shoot-out someone assassinates legendary actor Niles Walker. As the police investigate the murder, Brian knows that a link between the homicide and the blackmail case exists, but Robert still remains obstinate about what he knows and orders Brian to forget about the murder and concentrate on what he is being paid to do: protect him and Hanna.

THE DEAL KILLER, the second Kane 1950s Hollywood private investigative tale (see THE BIG SWITCH, obtainable from Design Image), is an exciting hard-boiled detective story with an undercoating of humor that somewhat softens yet hones the plot's edge. Sub-genre fans will relish the story line that moves briskly forward mostly through the actions and interactions with and to Brian who struggles with uncooperative clients. Jack Bludis furbishes a delightful tale for those readers who enjoy a tough but caring sleuth doing the job his way.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of The Deal Killer
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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)
How difficult to spot villain? - Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story: - present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 60%
Murder of certain profession? - actors/producers/directors
Kind of investigator - hard boiled/private eye
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - private investigator
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? - middling 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: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist - power
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

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? - 1
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to The Deal Killer
The Big Switch by Jack Bludis
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The Role Players by Dorien Grey
Puss in Boots by Ed McBain
Star Witness by D.W. Buffa


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