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| Plot Summary of A Killing Gift |
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"
Onyx, June 2003, 7.50, 368 pp.
ISBN 0451410912
New York Police Sergeant April Woo organizes the retirement party for Lieutenant Alfredo Bernadino leaving after almost four decades on the force. He plans to live simply though his beloved wife over fifteen million dollars in the lottery after taxes just before she died. Alfredo slips out quietly during the party but an assailant kills him. April notices he left and races after her mentor in time to see him murdered.
April tries to catch the killer but he almost overpowers her. Jack Devereaux, who just inherited millions from the father who never acknowledged him, saves her life and once again becomes a media sensation. April and her partner and lover Mike Sanchez work together to find the perpetrator. When a second person, who has inherited a fortune is killed, the police think they have a culprit who targets people who suddenly have gained plenty of publicized money. To make matters even more curious, phone records show someone has called both the deceased lieutenant and Jack, two people who have never met and have nothing in common except they attended the same university, one that the second victim was being courted for a donation.
In A KILLING GIFT April and Mike have finally gotten their act together and are living together, making plans to buy a house, get married and have a baby. Both are more open about their feelings and that adds another personal dimension to the story line. This is one of the best installments in the series because readers see the police slowly but surely build a case. Leslie Glass writes some of the best procedurals on the market today and her latest will embellish that reputation.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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"Lt. Bernardino is mysteriously killed at the end of his retirement party. At the same time April is attacked by the killer. The killer almost succeeds in killing April but in the end is interrupted and just damages her neck and voice. This of course sends "Skinny Dragon Mother" into hysterics and makes her cook up some of those scary smelly recipes to help with the Yin and Yang. In addition there are several more killings with the same style that happen. The story revolves around finding the connection with the victims as well as crime solving. You follow April and the clues to find the killer.
A strong sub plot of the story revolved around April and Mike Sanchez (her lover/fiance) and their relationship ups and downs, expecially as he out-ranks her in the police force."
Tanya, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of A Killing Gift |
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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 - 45%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 25%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
- Moderately Challenging
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 60%
- 70%
Murder of certain profession?
- lawmen
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, American
- police procedural, British
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:
- police/lawman
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
- Chinese
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
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- money/treasure
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Style
Part of a series?
Yes
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths?
- 3-4
Unusual form of death?
Yes
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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