|
|
| Plot Summary of A Picture of Guilt |
|---|
"
Poisoned Pen, Jul 2003, 24.95, 304 pp., ISBN: 1590580737
Berkley, Jul 2003, 6.50, ISBN: 0425191079
Chicago resident Ellie Foreman, accompanied by her teen daughter, has been on vacation in West Virginia for several days when she obtains a copy of the Chicago Tribune. The item that catches her eye is the murder trial of Johnnie Santoro for killing his girlfriend Mary Jo Bosanick. The paper says the circumstantial evidence is so overwhelming that the suspect has no chance of securing a not guilty finding. However, Ellie recognizes Johnnie as a drugged person who she caught on video when she was doing a shoot at Olive Park at about the time and date of the homicide.
When she returns to Chicago, Ellie goes to the studio of MacArthur J. Kendall III to affirm her belief and though there is radio interference on the tape, Johnnie is clearly there. Not trusting the police, she provides her evidence to Johnnie's lawyer. However, Ellie soon finds herself and her family and friends as the target of stalkers who expect Johnnie to hang as the fall guy.
White Sox and Cub fans will agree that this is an exciting thriller that begins so very innocently when a Good Samaritan tries to do the right thing. The story line, once Ellie returns to Chicago, moves rapidly forward as not so subtle threats to herself and her beloved daughter commence once the heroine surfaces the video. Though the conspiracy seems strange at first, whether the reader roots for a bull or bears market, they will appreciate this taut suspense novel due to the lead protagonist; a solid citizen turned victim turned survivor-hunter.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
|
|
|
| Review Analysis of A Picture of Guilt |
|---|
|
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 - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
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
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 80%
Kind of investigator
- amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- feelings towards family/friends
Crime Thriller
Yes
Crime plotlets:
- wrongly convicted clearing his name
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
General Crime (including known murderer)
Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here?
- finding a known killer
If story PRIMARILY about main chr. being hunted...
- hunted by killer/stalker
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- journalist
Age:
- 20's-30'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
- power
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:
- Midwest
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
|
|
|
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
Erin Hunters
8:01:38 AM
Judith McNaught
5:06:54 AM
Ray Bradbury
12:56:20 AM
Gary Paulsen
12:31:20 AM
Annette Curtis Klause
10:46:22 PM
Herman Melville
10:11:58 PM
Mary Stewart
10:05:17 PM
George W. Bush
9:24:15 PM
Suzanne Collins
8:54:37 PM
James Patterson
7:47:37 PM
Kara Dalkey
5:37:03 PM
Teri Woods
4:55:49 PM
Southampton Row
4:05:35 PM
V.C. Andrews
3:51:51 PM
Jeanette Walls
2:50:57 PM
General Discussion (All Topics)
1:22:33 PM
Ruth Minsky Sender
12:31:59 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun
10:25:33 AM
Deric Longden
7:40:15 AM
Robin Jenkins
4:55:32 AM
More message boards
|
