|
|
| Plot Summary of Unfaithful Servant |
"
Five Star, Apr 2004, 25.95, 333 pp.
ISBN: 1594141843
Recovering alcoholic Thomas Kyd has stayed on the wagon for six months, but knows that each moment is a challenge. Fourteen year old Hugo Vine visits the Santa Monica based private sleuth to hire him to investigate his mom and step-father. Thomas refuses to accept the teen as a client because he is underage. Hugo storms out of Thomas' office.
Not long afterward the lawyer to Hugo's mother renowned actress Sally Vine threatens to have Tomas arrested for aiding to the delinquency of a minor. Not concerned by the intimidation, Thomas tells Sally's retinue to go pound sand. However, Sally hires Thomas to keep an eye on her son who she worries is doing illegal things. However, Thomas soon learns that Hugo has deep questions as to whether his mother and his stepfather killed his father. The sleuth plans to learn the truth.
Thomas is an intriguing protagonist who is a combination nurturing hard boiled soul. The who-done-it takes awhile before it surfaces, but once it does it is fun to follow. Much of the early segment of the novel introduces the audience to Thomas. Readers who remain patient for the case to commence will enjoy this solid Southern California private sleuth tale starring a solid lead character and a delightful support cast.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
|
|
| Review Analysis of Unfaithful Servant |
|
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
- hard boiled/private eye
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- feelings of fear/loss/inadequacy
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- private 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
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- jealousy
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:
- California
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
|
|
|
Click here for more information about this book
Timothy Harris Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
Harriet Klausner 
SCHOLARS:
| |
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Feedback
Most recent discussions:
General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Suzanne Weyn
10:35:23 PM
George W. Bush
5:33:46 PM
Kin Platt
12:58:29 AM
Anonymous
12:47:34 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun
10:05:52 PM
Jane Rubino
10:04:38 PM
LaVyrle Spencer
10:04:00 PM
G.A. McKevett
10:03:31 PM
David Williams
10:03:01 PM
Steven Pressfield
10:02:30 PM
Jeanette Walls
10:00:19 PM
Darryl Ponicsan
9:59:27 PM
Ann Rinaldi
9:58:30 PM
R.L. Stine
9:57:34 PM
Geoffrey Huntington
9:57:14 PM
Betty Mahmoody
9:56:38 PM
Deric Longden
9:56:11 PM
Mary Downing Hahn
9:55:48 PM
Iris Johansen
9:55:24 PM
Marlo Morgan
9:54:58 PM
More message boards
|