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Clutch of Constables
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Plot Summary of Clutch of Constables
"On a whim, artist Troy Alleyn, wife of the famous inspector Roderick Alleyn, decides to take a relaxing 5-day boat ride up the river on a pleasure craft called "The Zodiac." She soon discovers several eccecentric personalites among her fellow passangers ... but little does she realize that one is also diabolical murderer who will stop at nothing to accomplish his plans. This mystery will keep you guessing right up to the last chapter!"
Margaret, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Clutch of Constables
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of story - Dry-cynical
How difficult to spot villain? - Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story: - 1960's-1970's
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 90%
Kind of investigator - british mystery (I say!)
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - artist
Age: - 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How much violence does he/she use? - none
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
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - accused criminal
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - throughout most of the book.
Motive of antagonist - money/treasure
The antagonists are: - foreign organized crime
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - bulging muscles

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Water? Yes
Water: - pleasure/love boat - drowning

Style
Part of a series? Yes
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths? - 3-4
Unusual form of death? Yes
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Most similar books to Clutch of Constables
City of Gold and Shadows by Ellis Peters
A Place of Execution by Val McDermid
The Schoolmaster by W.J. Burley
Champagne for One by Rex Stout
Time to Murder and Create by Lawrence Block


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Ngaio Marsh Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Alan J. Bishop  

SCHOLARS:
Margaret  


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