Journey To Mackinac Island
Logline
The Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island becomes the backdrop for this novel of intrigue, romance, and murder. Five women, former college employees, reunite at the Grand after 35 years. Their plan to reconnect and relive their youthful memories goes wrong as the planned vacation becomes anything but.
Genre
Detective,Mystery,Romance
Short Summary
At the hotel, one of the women becomes ill and dies.They begin to wonder if this is an unfortunate tragedy or something more sinister. Is this death connected to their long lost missing friend who disappeared when they were working there? Two of the women reconnect with the men they previously dated
After several deaths who the killer is--or killers are--is the product of amateur sleuthing and police work. The finale provides a resolution of the murders and the promise of romantic interludes to come.
Setting
Mackinac Island, MI
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Internal Journey/Rebirth
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Ginger
Age: early 50s
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Charming,Decisive,Romantic,Educated
Additional Character Details
Name: Flynn
Age: early 50s
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Charming,Masculine,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Faithful,Romantic
Additional Character Details
Name: Olivia
Age: early 50s
Gender: Female
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Charming,Confident,Engaging,Faithful
Additional Character Details
Name: Dylan
Age: early 50s
Gender: Male
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Masculine,Charming,Decisive,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Educated,Honorable
Development Pitch
The Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island becomes the backdrop for this novel of intrigue, romance and murder. Island scenery reveals itself as an additional “character.” Glimpses of its beauty intersperse plot twists such as the discovery of several murdered victims. Who the killer is the product of amateur sleuthing and police work. The finale provides resolution of the murders and the promise of romantic interludes to come. Although the characters are a little older than usual, older people want to see shows with characters their ages and this type of story sells. "Murder She Wrote," "Diagnosis Murder," & "Matlock" are examples of shows on TV long after they ended.
Genre
THRILLER, DRAMA
Brief
Five old friends reunite on the Mackinac Island where they met working the summers at the area's premiere resort hotel. Old flings are rekindled and the friends enjoy catching up until one of them dies. More bodies start piling up and the crew must help the police solve the case to save one another.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: EXCELLENT
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: FAIR
Premise: EXCELLENT
Structure: FAIR
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
The development pitch repeats the logline which could be improved with adding new information instead. The logline and short summary function well for their respective sections.
Draw of Story
The vacation goes on for a while without an inkling of what is in store. The slow pacing that quickly unravels from common food poisoning to murder is when the narrative really picks up interest.
Possible Drawbacks
There are many scenes that revolve around eating. Much of the characters' days and conversations and when they exit or enter a scene are centered around food. By giving the characters other activities to congregate with and motivations to leave a conversation with, this repetition could be lessened.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that this seems to be a elderly reunion story set up for a rom-com style pacing when the murder of Harper, one of the people in a new relationship pops up and slowly turns into an unknown serial killer being on the loose.
Fanbase Potential
This could potentially have a huge fanbase for the elderly vacation reunion murder concept. As was mentioned there is a large market of elderly viewers and this similar cast creates representation and therefore more business.
Awards Potential
Depending on how the characters are portrayed and if they are given internal conflicts, this could have awards potential as most actors that are still in show business and elderly are usually still in the industry because they are acclaimed. Because elderly actors would need to portray the elderly people, these esteemed people would likely gain more recognition for their role because they are esteemed already.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, KNIVES OUT, A WALK IN THE WOODS, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
What’s New About the Story
The originality stems from the surprise murder and then murder spree and hidden missing persons dark past of the reunion. By focusing less of the vacation and more on the investigation while still making use of the location, the switch in tone will feel more authentic and quicken the pace.
Lead Characters
Ginger is tough, forward thinking and has gumption. Riley was vindictive, but also clever and finds redemption in her recovery.
Uniqueness of Story
The concept is great, the main characters are somewhat static. The pacing is a bit drawn out in the investigation as there is little tension within the group with someone as a suspect.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, Film - Indie
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
By giving each of the characters unique voices, the characters could be more dynamic. At the present they are distinguished by their job and relationship status, but their actual dialogue is very similar. Having unique voices tied to unique internal conflicts will help create emotional investment in the characters surviving and solving the murders.