American Quartet (novel)

Infobox Book |
name = American Quartet
author = Warren Adler


image_caption = Cover to Stonehouse edition of American Quartet
country = United States
language = English
series = Fiona FitzGerald #1
genre = Mystery novel
publisher = Stonehouse
release_date = May 2001
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback) & E-Text
pages = 316 pp
isbn = ISBN 1-931304-57-2 (Paperback)
followed_by = American Sextet

"American Quartet" is a 2001 mystery novel by Warren Adler.

Plot introduction

What do a history teacher, an Argentine ambassador, an ex-con, and the President of the United States have in common? Fiona FitzGerald, Washington, D.C. homicide cop, is trying to find out. The first book in the Fiona FitzGerald series by Warren Adler, has the titular character investigating a series of murders that seemingly have no relation to each other.

Plot summary

Fiona is following her family’s tradition of serving on the police force despite the fact she is the first woman in the family to do so. Her father remains unmoved in her decision to follow in his footsteps. Her boyfriend, Bruce Rosen, is somewhat of the needy variety. He’s interested in his political career and in being told he’s loved. There isn’t much time to invest himself with Fiona’s life. He’d be much happier if she quit the force and remained by his side. And to top it off, her new patrol partner’s idea of a healthy conversation with a woman consists of lustful leers while grabbing hold of his manhood through his pants. Wherever Fiona goes, she is reminded of her gender, and if she was a lesser woman, she would let it get to her. That isn’t Fiona though.

In the center of the novel as well as the center of the Washington, D.C. presented within is Tad Remington, social dynamo, political ally, and history enthusiast. At one point, he could have been a force to reckon with, on a path all the way to the White House. But with the assassination of one of his biggest supports, John F. Kennedy, Remington’s political aspirations fizzled. He has taken to the role of fundraising extraordinaire and he’s the best at what he does. But underneath the decadent facade lies a tangled psyche of which reality and fantasy have become intertwined and a Norman Bates-style relationship with his mother has developed.

The mystery of the murders has its answers in the past. A quartet of men, Charles J. Guiteau, Leon Czolgosz, Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth, all know what Fiona doesn’t. It is this knowledge of the past that Fiona needs to prevent history from repeating itself. When the investigation is not condoned by her superiors, she will have to take advantage of the connections she has to piece together this bizarre tale of fanaticism and murder.

Trivia

Fiona FitzGerald’s backstory has changed since the publication of this novel. With the third installment of the series, Senator Love, Fiona has changed from the daughter of a police officer to the daughter of a Senator. Despite the family alterations, she has remained the same strong-willed and ambitious character.

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

In 2002, Kellie Martin played Fiona in a television pilot produced by the Lifetime Network. The project later evolved into [http://www.hallmarkent.com/property.php?propertyId=MysteryWoman&starId=3760 Mystery Woman] , a series of telefilms on The Hallmark Channel.

External links

* [http://www.warrenadler.com/title-americanquartet.shtml Official Website]
* [http://www.warrenadler.com/title-americanquartet-sample.shtml Read the first chapter]