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| Plot Summary of A Certain Truth |
"
Bethany House, 2004, 12.99, 300 pp.
ISBN: 0764226479
They met in 1903 and now almost four years later they are married. However, Los Angeles based attorney Kit Shannon Fox delayed their honeymoon with her husband Ted while she worked a court case. Ted seems accepting that Kit is in demand as a lawyer and that she puts in lots of time and passion in defense of her clients.
On the cruise ship heading back to California, Captain Raleigh detains passenger Wanda Boswell for murdering her spouse Chilton whose body was found in their cabin. Wanda retains Kit as her attorney, but on the high sea there is no judge to rule on objections so the captain makes all “legal” decisions; Raleigh bides time until they dock where the police can take over. Though she has doubts about her client's innocence as Wanda had the motive (public fighting), means and opportunity, Kit disagrees with the Captain as she believes that if her client is innocent, the real killer would be free by then. Kit makes inquiries as a frustrated Ted concludes that her practice is more important than he will ever be.
A CERTAIN TRUTH is a superb historical legal thriller tale starring a wonderful protagonist who defies the role of women in the first decade of the twentieth century. Through powerful characterizations, especially the newlyweds, fans obtain a terrific panoramic look at the era that emphasizes “we've come along way, baby”. James Scott Bell provides a winner that will send readers like this reviewer scrambling for Kit's previous appearances (see A GREATER GLORY and A HIGHER JUSTICE) as well as his other works.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of A Certain Truth |
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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).
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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 - 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:
- 1900-1920's
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 60%
Kind of investigator
- amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- feelings towards lover
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Is Romance a MAJOR (25%+) part of story?
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- a lawyer creature
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
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:
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate 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
- very athletic
Setting
Water?
Yes
Water:
- pleasure/love boat
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
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Click here for more information about this book
James Scott Bell Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
Harriet Klausner 
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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