Kensington, Feb 2005, 22.0, 272 pp.
ISBN: 075820762X
In New Orleans, Charlotte LaRue owns works as a maid for certain clients in order to support herself and keep busy. However, when Mimi Adams hires her Charlotte has no idea what she has let herself in for. Mimi explains that she is getting even with her neighbor Sally for hosting noisy pool parties and poisoning her trees. When the Horticultural Heritage Society meets at Mimi's home, Charlotte learns that many of the attendees detest their hostess.
Rita believes that Mimi had an affair with her husband; to get back at her, she runs for HHS president. When the secret ballot is tallied, Mimi wins, but Charlotte saw that her client's nosy friend June rigged the vote. Two other members want to start their own club. When Mimi suddenly dies, the coroner determines she was poisoned. Charlotte believes she knows who killed the odious Mimi, but lacks proof.
WIPED OUT is a southern cozy. Charlotte does not go searching for evidence, but does listen to conversations and observes behavior and events that lead her to unmask the culprit.
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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?
- Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
Special suspect?
- best friend
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:
- small businessman
Age:
- 40's-50'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
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Female
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- wealthy
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- money/treasure
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:
- Deep South
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
