In 1970 long time criminal Frank Koeller kills two people. However, instead of making the arrest, NYPD inexplicably declares Frank dead and closes the case. Almost three decades later a partially obsessed NYPD detective Andy Rosenzweig manages to reopen the double homicide case and arrest the now elderly killer.
A COLD CASE is a police procedual based on a true story. There is no action to this tale, but the way that Philip Gourevitch manages to get inside the minds of the two prime players, Koeller and Rosenzweig, is incredible. This character study will provide insight to the inner turmoil of a veteran cop and the convoluted logic of a lifetime felon and murderer. As Rosenzweig asks “Who speaks for the dead”? Obviously not the Lorax or even most of society, but individuals like Mr. Gourevitch and Mr. Rosenzweig certainly do.
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very obvious
Time/era of story:
- 1980's-1999
Spying/Terrorism Thriller
Yes
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 50%
Murder of certain profession?
- criminals
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, American
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
General Crime (including known murderer)
Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here?
- finding a known killer
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
Age:
- 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 60's-90's
Profession/status:
- killer
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average 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
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths?
- 2
Amount of dialog
- mostly dialog
