## Book Card | Key | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Title (IT)** | L'Imprevedibile Piano della Scrittrice Senza Nome | | **Title (EN)** | The Unexpected Plan of the Writer with No Name | | **Author** | Alice Basso | | **Year** | 2015 | | **Series** | Vani Sarca (1) | | **Type** | novel | | **Genre** | Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Chick Lit | | **Genre (Save the Cat)** | Whydunit | | **Tropes** | Amateur Sleuth, Police Are Useless, Sherlock Scan, Jerk with a Heart of Gold, Odd Couple, Will They or Won't They?, Becoming the Mask, Badass Bookworm, Ghostwriter, Dark Is Not Evil, Defective Detective, The Watson, Mini-Me, Deadpan Snarker, The Face, Toxic Fandom, Guile Hero | --- ## Review: The Unexpected Plan of the Writer with No Name In this sparkling debut by Alice Basso, Vani Sarca, a misanthropic and brilliant ghostwriter with a knack for intuiting others' thoughts, finds herself forced to collaborate with the police to find Bianca, a famous "angel communicator" who has mysteriously disappeared. The novel stands primarily as a **Cozy Mystery**, enriched by strong elements of social critique and romance. Structurally, the work adheres solidly to the Hero's Journey model. A notable strength is the handling of the **Mentor**: Commissioner Berganza guides Vani not only in the investigation but also in accepting her own gift, functioning perfectly within the story's economy. However, the **Refusal of the Call** phase appears somewhat weak; the protagonist's acceptance of the case seems driven more by boredom or intellectual curiosity than by real initial personal stakes, slightly slowing down emotional engagement in the early stages. The use of narrative tropes is mixed but intelligently managed. The novel shines in its use of the **Sherlock Scan** and the **Deadpan Snarker**: Vani's deductions and sarcasm are the driving force of the narrative, refreshing the _Amateur Sleuth_ figure. Less convincing is the handling of the romantic subplot towards the end: Riccardo's redemption falls into the cliché of "betrayal for a good cause," a resolution that feels a bit rushed compared to the psychological complexity demonstrated by the rest of the text. Recommended for an audience of avid female readers who love books about books, and for those who appreciate unconventional, cynical, and intelligent female protagonists, in the vein of an Italian literary Veronica Mars. --- ## Structural Analysis (Hero's Journey & Archetypes) > [!INFO]- (click to expand) > # Structural Analysis: The Unexpected Plan of the Writer with No Name > ## Logline > A misanthropic, cynical ghostwriter with uncanny empathy skills must partner with a police commissioner to find a kidnapped "angel communicator" author, while navigating a romance with a writer who might be exploiting her. > ## Brief Summary > Vani Sarca is a ghostwriter for Edizioni L'Erica: she writes books for incompetent authors while remaining in the shadows. Her boss, Enrico Fuschi, assigns her to write the new book for Bianca Dell'Arte Cantavilla, a "guru" who claims to speak with angels. When Bianca mysteriously disappears, Vani uses her observation and deduction skills (akin to profiling) to help Commissioner Berganza in the investigation. Meanwhile, Vani starts a relationship with Riccardo Randi, a successful author for whom she wrote a bestseller, only to discover he is using her to protect his reputation. Vani manages to save Bianca by exposing her fraud to the kidnapper and, finally, renegotiates her professional and personal standing. > ## Archetypes and Characters > | **Archetype** | **Corresponding Character(s)** | **Brief Description** | > | ---------------------- | ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | > | **Hero** | **Vani Sarca** | Ghostwriter, cynical, dark, with an empathetic gift she rejects but uses. | > | **Mentor** | **Commissioner Berganza** | Recognizes Vani's talent, guides her into the world of investigation, and urges her to use her gift. | > | **Threshold Guardian** | **Enrico Fuschi** | Vani's boss. He hinders her, exploits her, and tries to prevent her from stepping out of the shadows (metaphorically and professionally). | > | **Herald** | **Bianca's Kidnapping** | The event (and Enrico's call) that forces Vani out of her routine. | > | **Shapeshifter** | **Riccardo Randi** | Seems like the perfect love interest, then reveals himself as an opportunist, finally seeks redemption. His nature is ambiguous. | > | **Shadow** | **Gerolamo La Manta** | The kidnapper. Represents despair and obsession, the dark side of the search for answers that Vani faces rationally. | > | **Ally** | **Morgana** | The teenage neighbor. Reflects a younger Vani and allows her to show her protective side. | > | **Trickster** | **Bianca Dell'Arte Cantavilla** | Represents the falseness of the publishing world that Vani despises, but whom she must ultimately save. | > ## The Hero's Journey Stages > | **Journey Stage** | **Event(s) in the Story** | > | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | > | **1. The Ordinary World** | Vani's life as an invisible ghostwriter; working on others' books (Mantegna), cynicism, dark clothing. | > | **2. The Call to Adventure** | Enrico assigns Vani Bianca's book; subsequently, the discovery of Bianca's disappearance and involvement in the investigation. | > | **3. Refusal of the Call** | Vani is reluctant to deal with a "new age" book and initially does not want to be involved in the disappearance, considering it someone else's problem. | > | **4. Meeting the Mentor** | The interrogation with Berganza. The commissioner intuits Vani's skills and challenges her to use them (profiling Berganza himself). | > | **5. Crossing the First Threshold** | Vani agrees to actively collaborate with Berganza and goes to the crime scene/police station, stepping out of her isolation. | > | **6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies** | The relationship with Riccardo (emotional test); helping Morgana (ally); Enrico's pressure (enemy/guardian); analyzing online trolls. | > | **7. Approach to the Inmost Cave** | Identifying La Manta through linguistic analysis of online comments and locating the house in Coazze. | > | **8. The Ordeal** | The raid on La Manta's house. Vani must enter, face the armed kidnapper, and use her "voice" to impersonate Bianca and defuse the situation. | > | **9. The Reward** | Bianca is safe. Vani gains Berganza's respect and awareness of her own capabilities. | > | **10. The Road Back** | Discovering Riccardo's betrayal (the email to Enrico) and publishing the vengeful article in "XX Generation". | > | **11. The Resurrection** | The final confrontation in Enrico's office. Vani "dies" professionally (fired) but resurrects by dictating her terms and saving the publishing house from scandal. | > | **12. Return with the Elixir** | Vani gets a new contract, a raise, the chance to write her own book, and a role as a consultant for the police. | ## Structural Analysis (Save the Cat!) > [!INFO]- (click to expand) > # Structural Analysis: L'imprevedibile piano della scrittrice senza nome > ## Logline > When a famous author disappears, a cynical ghostwriter must use her talent for empathy to find her, escaping the manipulations of her boss and a charming writer hiding a secret. > ## The Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (BS2) > | **Beat** | **Story Event** | **Critical Notes** | > | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | > | **1. Opening Image** | Vani in Enrico Fuschi's office, surrounded by the smell of "old paper and death." She meets Mantegna and demonstrates her ghostwriting skills. | Effective: establishes tone, profession, and protagonist's cynicism. | > | **2. Theme Stated** | "Write what you know." The theme of authenticity vs. fiction permeates the book. Vani lives lives that are not hers. | | > | **3. Set-Up** | Vani's routine is introduced, her Lisbeth Salander-like look, her relationship with Enrico, the meeting with Riccardo Randi (the past "client"). | The exposition on past jobs is slightly long. | > | **4. Catalyst** | Enrico assigns Vani Bianca's book. Shortly after, Bianca disappears (kidnapping). | The actual investigative catalyst arrives a bit late. | > | **5. Debate** | Vani is interrogated by Berganza. She must decide whether to collaborate or maintain her detachment. She doubts her investigative abilities. | | > | **6. Break into Two** | Vani agrees to help Berganza and begins analyzing Bianca's fan profiles. She starts the relationship with Riccardo. | | > | **7. B Story** | The romantic relationship with Riccardo Randi and, in parallel, mentoring her young neighbor Morgana. | Crucial for Vani's emotional arc. | > | **8. Fun and Games** | Vani investigates forums, uses her deductive skills (shooting range scene with Berganza), dates Riccardo (pastry shop scene). | The central part balances romance and mystery well. | > | **9. Midpoint** | Vani discovers Riccardo's email to Enrico on his phone. She realizes the relationship is (or started as) a farce to control her. (False victory turns into emotional defeat). | | > | **10. Bad Guys Close In** | La Manta is dangerous and armed. Enrico pushes for the book. Riccardo tries to maintain the charade. Vani prepares her revenge (the article). | | > | **11. All Is Lost** | Vani sends the destructive article to "XX Generation." She seems to have burned bridges with Riccardo and her career. | Moment of total rupture. | > | **12. Dark Night of the Soul** | The morning after publication. Vani goes to the office ready for the end. Confrontation with Enrico and Riccardo. | | > | **13. Break into Three** | Berganza bursts into the office: they found La Manta thanks to Vani. She must go with them. | | > | **14. Finale** | Raid in Coazze. Vani enters the house, pretends to be the "real" Bianca (the voice of the angels), and convinces La Manta to surrender using empathy. | Emotional and thematic climax (using fiction for a truth). | > | **15. Final Image** | Vani in the elevator with Morgana, holding a new contract. She is blonde (having abandoned the black mask) and ready to write _her_ book. | Mirrors the beginning: she is now master of her destiny. | ## Narrative Trope Analysis > [!NOTE]- (click to expand) > # Narrative Trope Analysis: L'imprevedibile piano della scrittrice senza nome > ### Amateur Sleuth > 🔗 Card: [[Amateur Sleuth]] > - **Definition:** A character with no law enforcement ties who solves crimes or mysteries, often better than the police. > - **Description and Context:** Vani is not a detective but a ghostwriter. However, her ability to understand how people think (necessary for her job) makes her more effective than the police in identifying the kidnapper via linguistic analysis. > ### Police Are Useless > 🔗 Card: [[Police Are Useless]] > - **Definition:** The official police force is portrayed as incompetent or slow, forcing the protagonist to solve the case. > - **Description and Context:** Berganza is competent, but his staff (like Officer Betti) is slow with IT and bureaucratic research, forcing Berganza to rely on Vani's intuition. > ### Sherlock Scan > 🔗 Card: [[Sherlock Scan]] > - **Definition:** A character deduces a vast amount of information about another character just by observing them or analyzing small details. > - **Description and Context:** Vani deduces the personality, habits, and history of Berganza (and other characters like Morgana) by observing their clothing, behavior, and language, leaving them astonished. > ### Jerk with a Heart of Gold > 🔗 Card: [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]] > - **Definition:** A character who appears grumpy, cynical, and mean, but hides a kind and protective nature. > - **Description and Context:** Vani presents herself as misanthropic and antisocial, treats people poorly, but goes out of her way to help Morgana (her teenage neighbor) and ultimately risks her life to save Bianca, a woman she despises. > ### Odd Couple > 🔗 Card: [[Odd Couple]] > - **Definition:** Two characters with opposite personalities forced to work or live together. > - **Description and Context:** Vani (young, goth look, rebellious) and Commissioner Berganza (middle-aged, classic hard-boiled detective, institutional) form an unlikely but effective investigative duo. > ### Will They or Won't They? > 🔗 Card: [[Will They or Won't They]] > - **Definition:** Prolonged romantic tension between two characters. > - **Description and Context:** The dynamic between Vani and Riccardo is built on this, complicated by the fact that he might be manipulating her. > ### Becoming the Mask > 🔗 Card: [[Becoming the Mask]] > - **Definition:** A character pretends to be something they are not, until the pretense becomes reality or useful. > - **Description and Context:** Vani "transforms" into the people she writes for. In the finale, she uses this ability to become "the real Bianca" and speak to the kidnapper, making narrative fiction a real tool for salvation. > ### Badass Bookworm > 🔗 Card: [[Badass Bookworm]] > - **Definition:** An intellectual character who loves books but reveals themselves to be unexpectedly capable in dangerous or action-oriented situations. > - **Description and Context:** Vani is a pure intellectual, lives for books, yet faces an armed kidnapper with cold blood and shows decent aim at the shooting range. > ### Ghostwriter > 🔗 Card: [[Ghostwriter]] > - **Definition:** The actual author of a work credited to another person. > - **Description and Context:** This is the protagonist's profession and the engine of the entire plot. Her invisibility is both her superpower and her curse. > ### Dark Is Not Evil > 🔗 Card: [[Dark Is Not Evil]] > - **Definition:** A character dresses in a gothic/dark style, creating expectations of villainy, but is actually a positive hero. > - **Description and Context:** Vani dresses like Lisbeth Salander (black leather, heavy makeup), but acts as a savior and possesses a strong personal ethic, contrasting her threatening appearance with generous actions. > ### Defective Detective > 🔗 Card: [[Defective Detective]] > - **Definition:** An investigator who is brilliant at solving crimes but suffers from severe social dysfunctions or personal problems. > - **Description and Context:** Vani drinks whisky in the morning, is misanthropic and socially inept, but her intuitive brilliance solves the case where the police fail. > ### The Watson > 🔗 Card: [[The Watson]] > - **Definition:** The investigator's companion who serves as the audience surrogate and helps ground the hero's theories. > - **Description and Context:** Berganza, despite being the official authority, often acts as Watson to Vani, providing logistical support while she makes the intuitive "leaps." > ### Mini-Me > 🔗 Card: [[Mini-Me]] > - **Definition:** A younger character who is a miniature version of the protagonist, often imitating their style or becoming their protégé. > - **Description and Context:** Morgana is Vani's teenage reflection: intelligent, dark, book-loving, and cynical. Vani explicitly recognizes her as her "clone" and mentors her, protecting her from the mistakes she herself made (or wishes she had avoided). > ### Deadpan Snarker > 🔗 Card: [[Deadpan Snarker]] > - **Definition:** A character who constantly makes cynical, sarcastic, or biting comments, often with a poker face or through internal narration. > - **Description and Context:** Vani is the queen of this trope. Her first-person narration is a continuous stream of sharp observations about the world, other characters, and the absurd situations she finds herself in. > ### The Face > 🔗 Card: [[The Face]] > - **Definition:** In a creative team, the attractive or charismatic person who acts as the public front, while the real talent works behind the scenes. > - **Description and Context:** Bianca Dell'Arte Cantavilla is literally "The Face." She is an actress paid to impersonate the mystical and reassuring author, while Vani provides the content (the "Brain"). > ### Toxic Fandom > 🔗 Card: [[Toxic Fandom]] > - **Definition:** Fans who develop a sense of ownership over the work or author, becoming aggressive or dangerous when their expectations are not met. > - **Description and Context:** Gerolamo La Manta embodies the extreme of this trope (mixed with the _Fan Hater_ or _Stalker with a Crush_). His obsession with the "truth" about Bianca's books and his anger at not receiving "grace" from the angels lead him to kidnapping. > ### Guile Hero > 🔗 Card: [[Guile Hero]] > - **Definition:** A hero who wins through intelligence, deception, and manipulation rather than physical strength. > - **Description and Context:** Vani resolves the final standoff not by physically disarming La Manta, but by deceiving him with an acting performance (pretending to be the "real" mystic) and manipulating his emotions to induce surrender.