In Pleasant View, California, Gloria Wayne reports to the police that her twenty-three years old daughter April is missing. This would be minor local news except that April is an intern working for State Senator Eric Barry. The disappearance of April becomes a media event especially when she was seen the night before she vanished in Sacramento having a drink with Eric.
The police believe that Eric not only had an affair with April and probably other women, but also when pushed for more, he killed her. However, the evidence is not there to prove their contention but Gloria is determined to make Eric pay. Eric's wife Suzanne and their two adult daughters initially believe in him, but begin having doubts that they even know whom he is as circumstantial evidence proves Eric is a philanderer. Still, no information surfaces that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Eric killed April even if his reelection effort is hampered by the implications.
Though a well written, quite exciting suspense thriller somewhat supported by Condit-Levy, sub-genre fans will feel a bit cheated by the fully cleaned up climax with no doubts that justice was served. The tale moves briskly forward through a deep look by the characters mostly impacted by the missing April. Most interesting are Eric who feels unfairly besieged and Suzanne who changes from a supporting spouse into a doubting Thomasina. Bonnie Hearn Hill provides thriller fans with a tale from the headlines that though too immaculately wrapped up will give plenty of satisfaction to readers.
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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 - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
Murder of certain profession?
- politicians
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- politics
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
Age:
- 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- 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:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- jealousy
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
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
