"In this 1989 book (that follows Five Bells and Bladebone), Richard Jury is visiting the Bronte Museum in Haworth, York, when he becomes interested in another visitor, a well-dressed woman who seems rather remote. Later in the local inn where they the only two diners, a man shows up who she first argues with and then shoots. After the inquest Jury recalls a case from years before in which the woman's stepson had been kidnapped and never found.
With the assistance of Melrose Plant, Jury interviews family members and locals. There is a subplot involving popular music, as well as the appearance of Brian Macalvie, Jury's polar opposite except in dedication. There are scenes in Devon and London, and subplots involving the usual gang."
, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of The Old Silent
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 Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
How difficult to spot villain?
- Challenging
Time/era of story:
- 1980's-1999
Murder of certain profession?
- the rich!
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- solving long-past murder
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, British
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
The crook is....
- stalking/killing innocents
Any non-mystery subplot?
- squabbling with fellow investigator(s)/police boss
Crime Thriller
Yes
Mostly a criminal POV story
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
City?
Yes
City:
- London
Farm/Ranch?
Yes
Farm/Ranch:
- farm
Small town?
Yes
Misc setting
- resort/hotel
Style
Part of a series?
Yes
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths?
- 2
Amount of dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
