|
|
| Plot Summary of File M for Murder |
|---|
"
Five Star, Dec 2004, 25.95, 206 pp.
ISBN: 1594141908
Following the death of her husband, Cornelia Upshaw and her three year old daughter Heather relocate from Savannah to live with her artist sister in Manhattan. Not needing to pay rent, Cornelia works as a temp for Metropolitan Office Professionals, a firm that finds her short term secretarial work and provides child care services.
Cornelia currently works for Dayborne Ventures Executive Vice President J. Abercrombie Davis, a control freak of the worst order. Half way through her six week stint, Davis' office remains closed all day until Cornelia tries to reach him via the intercom. When they go into his office they find him dead. Lieutenant Victor Kosciusko and Detective Charlie Morton investigate when the autopsy reveals that the deceased was poisoned. Victor and Cornelia surprise themselves because of an immediate attraction that must remain on hold until the investigation is completed, but a killer stalks the office with Cornelia on the short list for interfering with another murder attempt.
This exhilarating investigative tale takes its time to introduce Cornelia, the center who holds the tale together. Once the murder occurs, the story line takes off on two planes that of a classic police procedural aided by an amateur sleuth who learned what to do by reading mystery novels.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
|
|
|
| Review Analysis of File M for Murder |
|---|
|
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).
|
|
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?
- 70%
Murder of certain profession?
- businessmen
Kind of investigator
- amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- clerk
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
- power
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
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?
- 2
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
|
|
|
Click here for more information about this book
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
Use our site!
Feedback
About us
Bribe your congressman!
Rudy Giuliani
Most recent discussions:
General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Online Dating Advice
Lilian Jackson Braun
10:25:33 AM
George W. Bush
10:18:46 AM
Southampton Row
8:27:14 AM
Deric Longden
7:40:15 AM
Robin Jenkins
4:55:32 AM
John Marsden
11:50:52 PM
Caroline B. Cooney
10:36:06 PM
Wendelin Van Draanen
9:56:14 PM
Ruth Minsky Sender
9:51:27 PM
Erin Hunters
9:44:31 PM
Lorna Freeman
9:19:46 PM
Suzanne Collins
7:22:56 PM
Betty Mahmoody
6:00:12 PM
Ken Catran
3:51:52 PM
Lurlene McDaniel
2:51:46 PM
Zana Muhsen
8:19:55 AM
Linda Berdoll
8:13:25 AM
Warren Getler and Bob Brewer
7:25:18 AM
Marlo Morgan
1:10:31 AM
Kate Brian
10:28:49 PM
More message boards
|
