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Bannerman's Ghosts
John R. Maxim Book Review

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Plot Summary of Bannerman's Ghosts
"

Morrow, Mar 2003, 24.95, 390 pp.
ISBN: 006000584X

Artemus Bourne owns much of the world including most of the elite politicians around the globe. What he fails to possess, he plans to control soon. However, used to having his way always, he becomes livid when he receives a special package sent from his Angola based VaalChem company that is supposed to contain vials to profitably spread the plague. Instead he opens the container to find three severed heads from key men working for him on this venture.

Bourne knows only one maniac who would defy him by sending such a deadly message, but important to the egotist is that no one gets away with interfering with Bourne's business. He retaliates by going after Martin Kessler through the abduction, torture, and murder of Elizabeth Stride, a legendary female assassin, known as the Black Angel that Bourne knows his enemy cherishes. Bourne's revenge comes to the attention of Westport, Connecticut's Paul Bannerman, a friend and associate of Elizabeth. Backed by his aging New England based commandos, Bannerman goes macho against the invincible Bourne and his paid assassins.

John Maxim spreads plenty of fun with BANNERMAN'S GHOSTS, an amusing tale that is at its best when the testosterone flows. Flashbacks to when Bannerman's squad was younger provide insight into the hero and his sidekicks, but also take away from this tongue in cheek thriller co-starring a modernized Goldfinger. The plot is clearly absurd and insane, but still a great time for those readers who do not take their story lines as graveyard serious.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Bannerman's Ghosts
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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 - 50%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%




Tone of story - very upbeat
Time/era of story: - present (2000-2010)
Spying/Terrorism Thriller Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets: - preventing/finding assassin - preventing bomb/biohazard/disaster
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Who's the terrorist enemy here? - evil corporation/billionaire

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - government investigator
Age: - 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use? - just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race - White/American
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - criminal
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist - revenge
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
United States Yes

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
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John R. Maxim Resident Scholar Profiles

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