|
|
| Plot Summary of The Big Switch |
|---|
"
Design Image, 2001, 15.95, 238 pp.
ISBN: 1891946102
In 1951 Los Angeles, Charlotte Randolph hires private investigator Brian Kane to tail her movie star spouse Lester so she can learn the names of the wannabes he sleeps with. Brian discovers that Lester uses Noni Light, Lydia Lane, and Gloria Hastings to fill his evenings. The sleuth goes to his client's Beverly Hills' home to present his findings, but Charlotte denies hiring him. On closer inspection he realizes that someone similar looking used her identity to hire him two weeks ago.
Not long afterward the “not” Charlotte visits Brian's apartment. She demands the report pulling a gun on the sleuth. Brian easily disarms his client before giving her the report, but keeps the gun. The next day LAPD Detective Kansas Michaels informs him that someone shot and killed Noni and he is a suspect because everyone knows he followed her. Brian says nothing. Afterward he looks for the gun, but it is gone. Thinking back to yesterday, he realizes his client wore gloves while his fingerprints are on the weapon.
The first Kane Hollywood noir is an exciting tale that fans of 1950 hard-boiled mysteries will appreciate. Brian is a fabulous throwback to tales like The Big Sleep and his relationship with appointment queen Kitty Chaney is unique and fascinating. The clever twist that propels Brian to make inquiries before Kansas locks him up is the first gamut in a strong who-done-it. Strongly recommend this novel and the sequel THE DEAL KILLER that was so much fun it actually led this reviewer to this book.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
|
|
|
| Review Analysis of The Big Switch |
|---|
|
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).
|
|
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?
- 70%
Special suspect?
- investigator him/herself
Murder of certain profession?
- actors/producers/directors
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- Proving innocence of very obvious suspect
Kind of investigator
- hard boiled/private eye
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- searching for missing person
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?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30'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?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- California
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
|
|
|
Click here for more information about this book
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
Use our site!
Feedback
About us
Bribe your congressman!
Rudy Giuliani
Most recent discussions:
General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Online Dating Advice
Test3
11:06:38 PM
Isobelle Carmody
10:05:56 PM
Christopher Pike
8:50:17 PM
Charlaine Harris
7:40:55 PM
Rennie Airth
7:37:56 PM
Erin Hunters
7:19:16 PM
Kate Brian
6:08:28 PM
Iris Johanson
5:03:11 PM
George W. Bush
3:45:32 PM
Lynne Ewing
3:39:10 PM
Richard Scrimger
1:26:53 PM
Cynthia Voigt
1:26:16 PM
Judith McNaught
11:12:43 AM
Anna Fynn
10:50:06 AM
Kathryn Lynn Davis
4:25:23 AM
David Gerrold
1:45:54 AM
Sue Grafton
1:13:36 AM
Ellen Hopkins
10:18:36 PM
Suzanne Collins
10:10:48 PM
Lurlene McDaniel
6:02:47 PM
More message boards
|
