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Fallen Idols
J. F. Freedman Book Review

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Plot Summary of Fallen Idols
"

Warner, Jun 2003, 19.95, 424 pp.
ISBN: 0446531898

The finding of the Mayan ruin La Chimenea is the epitome of an already illustrious career for archeology team Dr. Walt Gaines and his beloved spouse Jocelyn. As they work the dig he thinks back over his three decades of marriage and their three adult sons. He knows his wife has kept him young. However, their glorious moment ends tragically when thugs kill Jocelyn and loot much of the find. Even bringing her remains to Wisconsin for cremation is an ordeal as cops from both countries imply that Walt arranged the murder of his wife.

One year later, Walt has pieced together what really happened in Central America, but keeps the truth from the law and his three sons. His suddenly rich and living in California lifestyle includes a new girlfriend closer in age to his children. His silence leads to his three sons to wonder if their father killed their mother. The trio makes inquiries that links Walt's affluence to a Mayan artifact black market. They speculate that their mother learned what their father was doing and threatened to expose his nefarious dealings so he had her silenced. Now what to do with what they believe they know.

Though at times quite suspenseful and filled with an interesting closing twist, readers will have to accept that the three sons could coax information from various sources known for protecting clients. The story line shines in Central America and those scenes when the threesome suspects that their father is a spousal killer. Though there are many inane details that subtract from the tale, J. F. Freedman has written an entertaining suspense thriller.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of Fallen Idols
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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 - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%




Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story: - present (2000-2010)
Special suspect? - investigator him/herself
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot? - searching for $$$/treasure
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - explorer
Age: - 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use? - a little
Ethnicity/Race - Swiss
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than 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 - money/treasure
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
Most similar books to Fallen Idols
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Deviant Behavior by Earl W. Emerson
The Tumbler by Peter Bowen
The Affair of the Incognito Tenant by Lora Roberts


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