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The Old Silent
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Plot Summary of The Old Silent
"In this 1989 book (that follows Five Bells and Bladebone), Richard Jury is visiting the Bronte Museum in Haworth, York, when he becomes interested in another visitor, a well-dressed woman who seems rather remote. Later in the local inn where they the only two diners, a man shows up who she first argues with and then shoots. After the inquest Jury recalls a case from years before in which the woman's stepson had been kidnapped and never found.

With the assistance of Melrose Plant, Jury interviews family members and locals. There is a subplot involving popular music, as well as the appearance of Brian Macalvie, Jury's polar opposite except in dedication. There are scenes in Devon and London, and subplots involving the usual gang."

, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of The Old Silent
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%




How difficult to spot villain? - Challenging
Time/era of story: - 1980's-1999
Murder of certain profession? - the rich!
Misc. Murder Plotlets - solving long-past murder
Kind of investigator - police procedural, British
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
The crook is.... - stalking/killing innocents
Any non-mystery subplot? - squabbling with fellow investigator(s)/police boss
Crime Thriller Yes
Mostly a criminal POV story Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - police/lawman
How much violence does he/she use? - just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race - British
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
City? Yes
City: - London
Farm/Ranch? Yes
Farm/Ranch: - farm
Small town? Yes
Misc setting - resort/hotel

Style
Part of a series? Yes
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths? - 2
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Most similar books to The Old Silent
Dangerous to Know by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Fast Forward by Judy Mercer
Over The Edge by Jonathan Kellerman
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
Dry Heat by Jon Talton


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Martha Grimes Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Laura Adamson  

SCHOLARS:


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