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Murder in Montparnasse
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Plot Summary of Murder in Montparnasse
"

Poisoned Pen, Jun 2004, 24.95, 298 pp.
ISBN: 1590580427

Bert and Cec along with five other Australian soldiers are drinking and having a good time in Paris in 1918 when the seven witnessed a murder. Now a decade later, Bert, Cec and one of the other five Johnnys are concerned that someone is killing them off one at a time. At the inquest, two died allegedly accidentally when Maccie drowned in an irrigation ditch and Conger's van fell on him while he was fixing it. The three mates think otherwise as counter evidence disputes the official findings.

The men discuss their belief with Phryne Fisher, renowned for her investigative skills. Phryne's inquiries into the seven and a seemingly unrelated case involving a missing fiancée that somehow goes back to 1918 in the Montparnasse section of Paris too also links back to her own past in the same locale at the same time. Regardless of her memories, a murderer is on the loose and must be stopped before anyone else dies.

MURDER IN MONTPARNASSE is an exciting historical mystery that brings to life the late 1920s and a perspective from that point back to the end of World War One in Paris. The story line engages the audience due to the star as she plunges deep into the investigation while memories of her own waif lifestyle in 1918 Paris flash through her mind and her personal woes spin somewhat out of control. The support cast either enhances the who-done-it or brings insight into what makes Phryne tick. Phryne has starred in other adventures so that anyone who reads this delightful tale will seek other works starring a wonderful protagonist.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Murder in Montparnasse
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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 - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 30%




Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story: - 1900-1920's
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 70%
Murder of certain profession? - soldiers
Kind of investigator - amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot? - life in that culture
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - private investigator
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: - mastermind
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 - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - France
Asia/Pacific Yes
Asian country: - Australia

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
Most similar books to Murder in Montparnasse
Murder in the Bath by Michael Mallory
Snobbery With Violence by Marion Chesney
The Castlemaine Murders by Kerry Greenwood
Children of the Storm by Elizabeth Peters
Death of Riley by Rhys Bowen


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Kerry Greenwood Resident Scholar Profiles

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Harriet Klausner  

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