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Return to Me
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Plot Summary of Return to Me
"

Kensington, Jun 2004, 14.00
ISBN: 0758205600

Seventeen years ago Simon Riley fled LaRue, Oregon because of his crazy uncle and a stable fire he caused to become a famous photojournalist. He finally comes home to learn what happened to Uncle Gus, who five months ago apparently committed suicide. However, the email Gus sent that same day to Simon sounded paranoid not suicidal as his uncle mentioned he has proof that will shock everyone. Simon wants to find out what Gus alluded to though returning hurts.

When Gus' house is not fit to stay in Simon takes a room at El Kent's B&B. She was his girlfriend when he left town and is angry with him for never returning for her. El treats Simon like a guest, not the person she always dreamed would come back for her. Simon is upset that she is engaged to Brad Mitchell as the attraction between him and El is still hot. She informs him that she never forgot him, but no longer lives for dreams. Neither realizes that the person who Gus was trying to expose is crazy and willing to kill again.

This is an interesting romantic suspense due to the strong attraction between the two lead protagonists and a wonderful mystery involving the hero's uncle as holding proof of something or was delusional. Simon can become irritating with his saying that he only causes trouble and his constant leaving, but readers will root for him and the courageous heroine to make it. Though the villain is so crazy he could not hide his insanity as he did for decades, fans will enjoy this you can come home for a second chance at love.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Return to Me
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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 - 40%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%




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? - 60%
Kind of investigator - amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot? - feelings towards lover
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes
Is Romance a MAJOR (25%+) part of story? Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - journalist
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 - 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: - Pacific NW

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
Most similar books to Return to Me
Died Blonde by Nancy J. Cohen
Speak Now by Margaret Dumas
The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick
Shadow over Scorpio by Juanita Coulson
Killer Body by Bonnie Hearn Hill


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