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| Plot Summary of Paint By Murder |
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Berkley, Sept 2003, 5.99, 224 pp.
ISBN 0425192156
Even though her parents were killed in the London bombings and her ex-husband absconded with most of her money Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton is determined to look after her tenants and the villagers of Sitting Marsh. As the lady of the Manor, she feels it is her duty to set an example to the people who look her for guidance during the perilous times of WW II.
When one of her new tenants, artist Basel Thorncraft, is murdered she is told that the local constables are not handling the case. There are rumors in the village of a German spy staying in the area waiting for a pick-up by his masters. Elizabeth thinks that the spy killed the artist but there are so many new faces in the village that she doesn't have a clue as to who the perpetrator is. She starts her own investigation, an action that has always put her in danger in previous homicide investigations.
PAINT BY MURDER is a splendid British historical cozy that gives the reader a feel of what life was like in the small English towns during W.W.II. The heroine is always torn between acting like a proper English lady and giving in to the impulses that always get her in dangerous situations. Kate Kingsbury's Manor House mysteries are simply delightful and her latest work is no exception.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Paint By Murder |
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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 - 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:
- 1930's-1950's
Spying/Terrorism Thriller
Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:
- stopping a saboteur/spy
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
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
Ethnicity/Race
- British
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:
- Female
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- spy
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
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 2
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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Kate Kingsbury Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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