| Plot Summary of True Believers |
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"Wesley Dean Theroux is the former leader of a cult numbering approximately 101 members. Having slain 88 members of the cult in a mass-suicide with Seconal-laced Jell-O, Theroux saved the last 11 cultists, brainwashing them into becoming his "apostles", 11 fanatics programmed to kill on his command.
Now, 10 years later, Theroux sits on California's Death Row, awaiting execution for the murders of the 88 cultists, as well as 17 innocent people connected to his trial. But W.D. Theroux is not quite done wreaking misery upon the world.
Operating from his cell and using a hidden cellular modem in his laptop computer, Theroux arranges for his sperm to be artificially inseminated into an unwitting recipient, Gwen Sullivan, wife of vice presidential candidate Senator William Sullivan.
Soon, Theroux's six remaining apostles begin to insinuate themselves into the Sullivan household. As soon as Gwen's pregnancy begins to progress, they spring into action, abducting her to their compound.
Using his cellular modem, Theroux also begins a calculated manipulation of the media, convincing the police and the general public of William Sullivan's alcoholism and spousal abuse.
Now, Sullivan and Vance Allatore, a former prosecutor who suffered a nervous breakdown and now hears the voice of God, must battle a disbelieving public, a suspicious police force, and six crazed cultists to rescue Gwen and her child from the clutches of a maniac who intends to make his last act on Earth the abject subjugation of one of America's most powerful families."
James Craver, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of True Believers |
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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 - 20%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
- 1980's-1999
Spying/Terrorism Thriller
Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:
- kidnap/rescue
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Religious overtones?
Yes
Crime plotlets:
- escape/rescue from kidnappers
Who's the terrorist enemy here?
- cult
General Crime (including known murderer)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
Age:
- 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
Eccentric:
Yes
- obsessed
- deluded
- mentally ill
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- insanity
The antagonists are:
- cults
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Genius
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
- California
City?
Yes
City:
- Washington D.C.
Misc setting
- prison
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths?
- 8 or more
Sex
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references
- descript of kissing
Unusual forms of death
- poisoning
- frying (electrocuted)
- perforation--bullets
- perforation--swords/knives
Unusual form of death?
Yes
Amount of dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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