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| Plot Summary of Suspicion of Madness |
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"
Dutton, Feb 2003, 24.95, 372 pp.
ISBN 0525946810
Miami lawyers Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana plan to marry in June. They are going to a small island in the Florida Keys to do a little work and relax at the island's luxurious resort the Buttonwood Inn. Before they even get on the boat that will take them there, Anthony learns that his client nineteen-year-old Billy Fadden confessed to killing Sandy McCoy and subsequently tried to commit suicide.
When he regains consciousness Billy doesn't remember calling the police or trying to commit suicide but he does remember seeing big black dogs and a mermaid. Without a confession and due to his mental state, the police can't arrest him but they are looking at him as their number are suspect. Anthony and Gail's stay at the inn becomes more work than play when they try to unravel the secrets being kept on Lindenan Key if they hope to keep Billy out of jail.
Barbara Parker has written an exciting romantic mystery that has a distinctive feel of a gothic novel. The chemistry between Gail and Anthony sizzles even hotter than usual and yet there is a more serene air about them, so they aren't defensive with each other anymore. The mystery is so complex that the audience will never guess who the killer is until the author choose to reveal his identity. The title is the biggest clue to the killer's identity and yet once the killer is revealed, it feels right and logical.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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"In the 7th installment of the Suspicion series, Gail Connor, a lawyer, is going to spend a few days in a secluded resort in the Florida Keys with Anthony Quintana, her boyfriend (also a lawyer). Her young daughter Karen stays in Miami.
The mother and stepfather of an unbalanced former client have called Quintana to help their son, Billy, who has become the main suspect in the murder of a young woman.
The suspect tries to commit suicide the day of their arrival.
As a tropical storm threatens to isolate the island, Quintana tries to prove his client innocence and maybe solve the murder.
Connor, unable to remain idle, is quickly recruited and her different style brings in new leads. In between interviewing with eccentric witnesses, like former Hollywood actress Joan Sinclair, and fighting for their own life, Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana, talk again about getting married and moving in together.
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Lydie Barquet, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Suspicion of Madness |
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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 - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 25%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 15%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
- Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
- 80%
Special suspect?
- relative
Murder of certain profession?
- lawyer creatures
- "All in the family" murder
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- cooped up in spooky house
- "All in the family" murder
- Proving innocence of very obvious suspect
Kind of investigator
- skilled citizen investigator
- husband/wife boy/girlfriend investigators
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- feelings towards lover
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- a lawyer creature
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- none
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- servant
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
- an average amount
Motive of antagonist
- insanity
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Southeast
Style
Part of a series?
Yes
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths?
- 5-7
Sex
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references
- descript of kissing
- touching of anatomy
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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Barbara Parker Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Lydie Barquet
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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