"I came across this dark jewel of a book a couple of years ago, hidden on the shelf in a local library, with an introduction and illustration by Frank Miller which only emphasizes the story's starkness. The novella concerns a telepath who is asked to investigate a killer on Death Row about whether or not they're guilty. In so, doing, he learns a dismaying fact about the killer, relating to himself. Hard to find, but highly recommended!"
Diana, Resident Harlan Ellison Scholar
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Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Spying & Investigations
Yes
What is main char. doing?
- spying/espionage in enemy territorry
- finding a killer (criminal)
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- Jedi powers
Inner Struggle
Yes
Plotlet:
- coping with mental/magical powers
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture
Yes
Culture clash-
- one human from different culture of other humans
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- unemployed
Age:
- 40's-50's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- mind reading
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- accused criminal
- killer
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- mind reading
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
- little dialog
