|
|
| Plot Summary of Play Dead |
|---|
"
Onyx, Jan 2004, 6.99, 384 pp.
ISBN 0431411374
Savannah medical examiner John Casper is performing an autopsy when he suddenly realizes that the body is still alive, the man is still breathing albeit very slowly. When the man eventually dies, it is discovered that he had tetrodotoxin in his bloodstream, a poison that doesn't cross the blood brain barrier so victims are paralyzed and unable to speak, but totally aware of what is going on around thim.
Homicide detectives Elise Sandberg and David Gould head the investigation. As a baby Elise was abandoned on a grave; her father was thought to be a root doctor and a conjurer so she is aware that the public will believe they are dealing with dark magic because superstitions run deep in Savannah. David is running from his own problems but unlike Elise he doesn't believe in the supernatural. More victims are found as body moves out of the grave before dying. The perpetrator poisons David leaving him paralyzed and needing help, but only Elise might save him if she can put all the pieces of the puzzle together in time.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
|
|
|
| Review Analysis of Play Dead |
|---|
|
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
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?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, American
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- life in that culture
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
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
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- killer
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
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
- very athletic
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Southeast
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 5-7
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
|
|
|
Click here for more information about this book
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
Use our site!
Feedback
About us
Bribe your congressman!
Rudy Giuliani
Most recent discussions:
General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
.
Nora Roberts
1:31:14 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun
11:58:30 AM
David Gerrold
10:41:17 AM
Deric Longden
8:34:00 AM
Suzanne Collins
7:47:38 AM
Mary Higgins Clark
3:41:53 AM
Eloise Jarvis McGraw
2:17:46 AM
Laurie Halse Anderson
1:29:18 AM
Alicia Appleman-Jurman
11:51:40 PM
David Pelzer
11:42:52 PM
Lorri Hewett
9:14:18 PM
Ellen Hopkins
8:48:11 PM
George W. Bush
7:43:57 PM
J.K. Rowling
6:03:45 PM
Christina Crawford
5:33:22 PM
General Discussion (All Topics)
4:53:38 PM
Janet Evanovich
4:47:57 PM
Erin Hunters
4:04:59 PM
Anna Fynn
2:53:32 PM
Iris Johanson
12:45:32 PM
More message boards
|
