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Sharp Focus
Susan Ford, With Laura Hayden Book Review

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Plot Summary of Sharp Focus
"
, Jul 2003, 24.95, 320 pp.
ISBN: 0312284993

Being the First Daughter of US President Elliot James Cooper carries enough responsibilities for any person to cope with, but Eve Cooper also shares First Lady chores with her aunt since her mom is dead. Thus Eve journeys to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where her dad will provide a congratulatory speech to the graduates at the commencement ceremony. Part of her itinerary is to fly in an Academy glider, so Eve hides her fears and accomplishes the task.

However, not long afterward, a glider smashes into the nearby mountains, killing one person and seriously injuring an another. Feeling paranoid, Eve wonders whether someone meant to assassinate her, but blew the assignment. Soon her theory proves correct as someone tries to kill the First Daughter. However, Eve refuses to remain in SHARP FOCUS as a lame duck target by attempting to uncover the identity of the executioner although that leaves her doubly exposed.

The key to the second First Daughter mystery (see DOUBLE EXPOSURE) is the insight into a First Family provided by co-author Susan Ford, a former White House resident. The tale is an amateur sleuth cozy rather than a deep political thriller, but Eve is a delightful protagonist especially when she performs required tasks in which she must hide her apprehension or disdain from the ever-present media. Fans who enjoy a cozy with an intriguing lead protagonist will want to read the latest collaboration between Ms. Ford and Laura Hayden.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Sharp Focus
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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)
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? - 70%
Murder of certain profession? - politicians
Kind of investigator - amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Female
Age: - 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use? - none
Ethnicity/Race - White/American
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: - 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
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - West

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 Sharp Focus
Conspiracy by Allan Topol
Double Exposure by Bonnie Hearn Hill
The Dream Stalker by Margaret Coel
Set in Darkness by Ian Rankin
The Face of Deception by Iris Johansen


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