| Plot Summary of The Fiend in Human |
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St. Martin's, Sep 2003, 24.95, 342 pp.
ISBN: 0312282842
In 1852 London, Falcon reporter Edmund Whitty dubs William Ryan, the prostitute killer, Chokee Bill. Most of the fallen females are pleased to learn the police caught Chokee Bill because it makes it safe to offer their bodies to the West End wealthy aristocrats.
Needing money as usual, Whitty accepts a deal to partner with crime storywriter and seller Henry Owler who, on his own, failed to gain an interview with Chokee Bill. Edmund meets Ryan and soon wonders if the police arrested the wrong man. If he is right, Edmund realizes that the real murderer might be observing him, Owler, and his new partner's daughter especially as the journalist tours London in search of clues. If true, this serial killer will never allow anyone to point the finger.
Though quite similar to other serial killer tales especially those involving the Ripper, readers will enjoy this terse Victorian investigative novel. The story line provides insight into the era and includes a taste of London and a deep look at the social classes and a myopic justice system. With their flaws, obvious intelligence and moral consciences, Whitty and Owler are fine lead sleuths. They are reminiscent of Holmes and Watson so that readers of nineteenth century mysteries will appreciate this solid, novel.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of The Fiend in Human |
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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
- very humorous
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- 19th century
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 80%
Murder of certain profession?
- prostitutes/stripper/porn
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- Proving innocence of very obvious suspect
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- journalist
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- a teen
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- kicks
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
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 8 or more
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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