Sophie Greenway, the owner of the Maxfield Plaza historic hotel in St. Paul and restaurant reviewer for the Minneapolis Times is a close friend with Elaine Veelund, the CEO of Veelund Log Lodges. Elaine is going threw a difficult time right now worrying about her daughter Tracy who is sliding deeper and deeper into a depression. When Tracy attempts suicide Elaine takes her daughter to the house of her mother Millie to recuperate and be watched.
Millie abruptly announces she is selling Veelund Industries to the dismay of Alex (the president and CEO of the company), his lover Roman Marchand (the president of Veelund's KitchenVisions) and Elaine. Danny, the youngest son, is there on a visit that is personal in nature and couldn't care less about the business. When Millie dies in her sleep everyone thinks it is of natural causes until the autopsy proves she was murdered. Millie was a rigid, bigoted redneck who made many enemies but when another Veelund is also murdered Sophie finds herself in danger of becoming victim number three.
Ellen Hart can always be counted on to write a good mystery but DEATH ON A SILVER PLATTER goes one step further. This enthralling story is a heart wrenching relationship drama concerning the social dynamics of the Veelund family. It would be great if the author created another mystery series starring Elaine Veelund, a complex and strong heroine who has no problems giving justice a nudge. Although Sophie is an integral part of the story, her role is not that of an amateur sleuth but that of a wife and friend. This is a one sitting reading experiences.
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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?
- 80%
Murder of certain profession?
- "All in the family" murder
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:
- business executive
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- middling 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:
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- revenge
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:
- Midwest
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
