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| Plot Summary of Murder Can Botch Up Your Birthday |
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"
Signet, March 2003, 5.99, 272 pp.
ISBN 04521129
She can really use a high profile, lofty fee case but when sixteen year old Vicki Pirelli comes to her office begging for help, New York Private Investigator Desiree Shapiro can't refuse her heartfelt request. Ten years ago her father was sent to prison for killing his mistress but after getting knifed by an inmate, he tells Vicky in a deathbed confession that he was innocent. Sometime between the moment he walked out following a fracas with his girlfriend and returned after taking a walk to cool his temper, someone sneaked into the apartment and killed her.
Vicky wants Desiree to clear her father's name and if at all possible find the person responsible. Desiree is so moved by Vicki's need that she takes the case even though she doesn't intend to bill the girl or the family who doesn't want old wounds reopened. Desiree finally manages to find the real perpetrator but she has no evidence and the culprit denies everything leaving the sweet private investigator stymied.
The protagonist of MURDER CAN BOTCH UP YOUR BIRTHDAY is short and pudgy but she is comfortable with herself and doesn't let other peoples' opinions of her bother her. Selma Eichler always writes a lighthearted, funny and upbeat private investigative novel where the heroine relies on brain power instead of violence to solve the crime. Watching Desiree in action is a treat not to be missed and the audience will look forward to reading more about this very special sleuth in the next installment of this long running series.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Murder Can Botch Up Your Birthday |
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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 upbeat
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%
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- solving long-past murder
- Proving innocence of very obvious suspect
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:
- private investigator
Age:
- 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
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:
- small businessman
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- jealousy
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:
- Northeast
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
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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